Blood Stains on Carpet : Cleaning and Removal

For some strange reason, I have been getting a lot of calls regarding blood stains on carpet.  Specifically, what can a home owner do to remove them. Well, all is not lost as long as you follow a few very simple steps.  Like any stains, the quicker you are able to treat them, the more likely you are going to be successful in removing them.

So lets get started

• Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting with a white paper towel, then neutralize with an ammonia solution (1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia to 1/2 cup of water.). Saturate spot with the ammonia solution using a spray bottle. Do not wet backing. Blot with a white paper towel to remove excess moisture. All solutions for removing blood must be cool.
• Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dish washing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water; examples of safe detergents are Dawn® and Joy®.) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed.
• Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture.
• Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
• If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.

Remember, when it comes to blood, cool water is the rule. Hot water can set the stain.

And, as always, don't forget you can always call on SmithWerks Carpet Cleaning North Vancouver for all your carpet and upholstery cleaning needs.