Wondering How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress?

If you’re wondering how to get blood out of a mattress, don’t stress. Accidents happen to everyone, but the great news is that blood stains on your mattress don’t have to be permanent. If you need to remove blood stains from a regular mattress or even a memory foam mattress, treating the stain promptly is crucial. Removing a blood stain from your mattress is crucial to preserving its life and creating safe and sanitary sleeping conditions.

Read this blog post to learn more about blood stain removal, removing blood stains from a mattress, as well as how to clean dried blood, fresh blood, and how to manage general stain removal.

Table of contents:

  1. Wondering How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress?
  2. The Urgency of Bloodstain Removal
  3. Pre-cleaning Preparations
  4. The Cleaning Method: Cleaning and Rinsing Your Mattress
  5. Making Homemade Stain Remover
  6. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (If Needed)
  7. Post-Stain Removal Care
  8. Cleaning and Caring For Your Mattress
mattress with blood stain
woman wondering
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The Urgency of Blood Stain Removal

When it comes to effectively lifting as much blood as you can out of your mattress, it’s important to act quickly. Whether it’s period blood, fresh, dry, or from a cut, the proteins that exist in blood make it easy for it to absorb into the mattress. If you let it sit, it’s likely to stain blood permanently, and you may end up dealing with other issues like mildew growth and an unsanitary mattress. The longer blood and other stains sit, the easier it is for the stain to set. Act quickly to get blood stains out of your mattress.

Pre-cleaning Preparations

To get prepared for cleaning, gather up the following cleaning supplies:

  • Damp cloth
  • Dry towels
  • White vinegar
  • An enzymatic cleaner
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Gloves

Cold water generally is more effective for removing blood than warm or hot water, so opt for cold water for the cleaning process. You may also wish to purchase extra or specialised cleaning supplies before getting started, such as if you want to get blood stain remover or enzyme cleaner.

Wear gloves whenever you are cleaning up blood. To commence with pre-cleaning preparations, first strip all sheets, bedding, mattress covers, mattress protectors, mattress toppers, and any other extra layers on the bed. Then gently blot excess blood away with a clean cloth, trying to remove as much moisture as possible before cleaning. Be sure to blot and press, not rub, which can work stains further in.

White vinegar, spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide

The Cleaning Method: Cleaning and Rinsing Your Mattress

Gently blot excess blood away before you clean blood stains to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Next, rinse the stained area with cold water to lift and dilute the blood as much as possible If desired, get a blood stain remover and apply it, following the label instructions. If not using a specialised remover, opt for hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.

Allow the mixture or cleaning paste to sit for the desired amount of time before wiping away with a paper towel or clean towel, and rinsing as needed. After completing the cleaning process, allow your mattress to air dry completely, letting it sit for at least a few hours. Take care to ensure that your area is well-ventilated and that your mattress gets completely dry, as wet mattresses can be prone to mould and mildew.

spraying mattress stain, microfibre cloths

Making Homemade Stain Remover

You can also make a homemade stain remover for cleaning blood out of your mattress, rather than using enzymatic cleaners. Period stains and other stains from your mattress can be lifted using a wet cloth or paper towels and stain remover.

To effectively remove blood from a mattress, start by crafting a homemade stain remover using cold water and a mild detergent. Mix the two ingredients to form a cleaning solution and apply it using a cloth or sponge, ensuring the affected area is thoroughly saturated. Gently blot the stain with the cloth or sponge, working from the outer edges towards the centre, to lift the blood without saturating the mattress further. Repeat the process as needed until the bloodstain is completely lifted, then rinse with cold water and dry the mattress.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (If Needed)

If the cleaning method you use isn’t lifting the stain, try using a hydrogen peroxide solution on the stain set. Mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of cold water and apply it to the stain. Hydrogen peroxide bubbles should occur as the mixture reacts with the blood and you should see the stain begin to lift. Blot rinse the stain with more cold water, using a dry cloth, then let your mattress air dry. You can also utilise fans, open windows, or turn on a heater to help expedite the drying process.

hydrogen peroxide bottle and molecule

Post-Stain Removal Care

The best way to manage mattress stains is to prevent them before they occur. Should an accident occur, be sure not to delay stain treatment. Some stains like blood can be especially stubborn and may require a bit of time or even multiple cleaning sessions to fully remove the stain. If the stains aren’t lifting out or are set in the mattress, seeking professional steam cleaning services may be necessary.

Other tips for maintaining a clean mattress include:

  • Investing in a high-quality mattress protector to keep spills and stains from reaching your actual mattress
  • Immediately dealing with any spills or stains
  • Washing your bedding on a regular basis, preferably each week
  • Vacuuming the surface of your mattress with a handheld vacuum cleaner
  • Flipping or rotating your mattress every few months (if it is double-sided)
  • Airing your mattress out occasionally, such as by opening windows or even letting it sit outside in the sun for a bit
steps to keep mattress clean after spot removal

Cleaning and Caring For Your Mattress

When it comes to cleaning and caring for your mattress, quick action is of the utmost importance! Immediately clean up and address any stains or spills, especially bodily fluids such as blood, which can create unsafe or unsanitary conditions. In most cases, enzymatic cleaner, blood remover, or a homemade mixture with hydrogen peroxide is effective for lifting stains out of mattresses. However, repeat cleaning sessions may be necessary, particularly if it is a large or stubborn stain.

If you’re still having difficulty getting your mattress completely clean, consider getting in touch with a professional cleaning company.