Removing Blood Stains From White T-Shirts: A Step-By-Step Guide

Getting blood stains out of white clothing can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Blood is a protein stain, so it's important to use cold water when tackling it—hot water may set the stain. There are various methods you can try, including soaking the garment in cold water, using laundry detergent or pretreatment, applying hydrogen peroxide, or creating a paste with baking soda and water. It's also recommended to test any cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure they won't damage or discolour the fabric.

Use hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent method for removing blood stains from clothing, even dried blood stains. It works on both fresh and set-in blood stains. However, it's important to test the hydrogen peroxide on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it doesn't cause discolouration.

To use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood stains, follow these steps:

Step 1: Test for Colour Loss

Before applying hydrogen peroxide to the stain, test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it doesn't cause colour loss. This is especially important as hydrogen peroxide can have a bleaching effect on some textiles.

Step 2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide to the Stain

If the fabric passes the spot test, you can proceed to apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain. For larger stains, use a spray bottle to mist the area. For smaller stains, use a cotton swab to dab the hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain. Alternatively, you can apply hydrogen peroxide to a light-coloured cloth and gently dab at the stain.

Step 3: Let It Sit

After applying hydrogen peroxide to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes. You will likely see some fizzing, which indicates that the hydrogen peroxide is breaking up the proteins in the blood.

Step 4: Rinse and Evaluate

Thoroughly rinse the area with cold water. Do not use hot water, as it could set the stain. Evaluate your progress. If the stain is gone, you can move on to the next step. If the stain remains, proceed to the next step for further treatment.

Step 5: Treat the Stain Again (If Necessary)

If the stain persists, you may need to treat it again. Apply a drop of mild dishwashing liquid to the stain and gently rub it with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water. If necessary, repeat this process until the stain is removed.

Step 6: Launder in Cold Water

Once the stain is removed, launder the fabric in cold water. Promptly wash the blood-stained garment in your washing machine using cold water and the recommended amount of laundry detergent.

Try vinegar

Vinegar is an effective tool for removing blood stains from fabric, particularly if the stains are fresh. It is important to test a small spot first to ensure the vinegar won't discolour or damage the fabric. To use vinegar to remove blood stains, follow these steps:

Firstly, create a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. You can also use undiluted vinegar, but be aware that repeated use will break down the fibres of your fabric over time. Next, pour the solution over the stain and let it soak for around 10-20 minutes. If you are using undiluted vinegar, let it soak for around 10 minutes. Then, rinse or blot the area with a damp cloth and repeat the process if necessary. Do not scrub the fabric as this may damage it.

An alternative method is to create a thick paste with vinegar and water and rub this directly onto the stain. Allow the paste to dry and then scrape it off before rinsing the fabric with cold water.

Another option for removing blood stains is to use a cleaning vinegar, which is stronger than distilled white vinegar and can be effective on stubborn stains.

While vinegar can be an effective tool for removing blood stains, it is important to note that it may not work for all stains or fabrics. Additionally, undiluted vinegar can break down the fibres of your fabric over time, so it is important to use it sparingly and always test on a small area first.

Apply baking soda

Applying Baking Soda to Remove Blood Stains from a White T-Shirt

Baking soda is a great, inexpensive way to remove blood stains from your white t-shirt. It is a basic substance, so it works best when tackling acidic stains. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply baking soda to remove blood stains:

Step 1: Create a Baking Soda Paste

Mix one tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of baking soda. The paste will help draw the blood stain out of the fabric and trap the pigment and odour.

Step 2: Apply the Paste to the Stain

Using your fingers or an old toothbrush, rub the baking soda paste onto the damp blood stain. Make sure the fabric is damp before applying the paste.

Step 3: Let the Paste Sit

Allow the paste to sit on the fabric for up to an hour. During this time, the paste will continue to lift the stain from the fabric.

Step 4: Wash the T-Shirt

After an hour, wash the t-shirt as per the care label instructions. Check the care label to ensure the item can be hand-washed and to check the recommended water temperature.

Additional Tips:

• Before using baking soda, check for colourfastness. Although baking soda is not a bleaching agent, it can pull pigment from non-colourfast fabrics.
• If you don't have time to make a paste, you can sprinkle dry baking soda on the stain. The baking soda will absorb liquid and odours as it sits on the wet stain.
• For stubborn stains, you can use white vinegar instead of water to create a baking soda paste. The vinegar will cause a bubbly reaction and help break down oils and grime.
• You can also mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda for pigmented stains on white fabrics. This mixture will help bleach away stains on colourfast clothing. Always test this mixture on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't lighten the fabric.
• It is best to tackle tough stains as soon as possible. If you can't access baking soda right away, blot the stain and rinse with cold water to keep it moist.

Soak in cold water

Soaking your blood-stained white t-shirt in cold water is a good way to start treating the stain. It is important to act fast, as fresh blood is easier to remove than dried blood. If the stain is very fresh, place the t-shirt under cold running water and try to flush out as much of the blood as possible. If you are unable to do this immediately, you can also soak the t-shirt in a basin of cold water.

After soaking, you can then treat the stain with a cleaning product. Some products that can be used are hydrogen peroxide, laundry pre-treater, liquid laundry detergent, or bar soap. You can also use home remedies such as vinegar, toothpaste, or baking soda.

After treating the stain, machine wash the t-shirt in cold water. Do not put the t-shirt in the dryer until you are sure the stain is completely removed, as heat will set the stain.

Treat with laundry detergent

To treat fresh blood stains on a white T-shirt with laundry detergent, start by brushing the stained area with a toothbrush or your fingernail to remove excess blood. Next, pretreat the stain or soak the garment in cool water with an enzyme-based detergent. Make sure the detergent is bleach-free.

Let the detergent sit for about 10 minutes, then launder the T-shirt as usual, making sure to let it air-dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process. Do not put the T-shirt in the dryer until you are sure the stain is completely gone, as the heat will cause any remaining stain to set.

For dried blood stains, mix one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent or a stain-removing product with cold water. Allow the garment to soak in this mixture for several hours or overnight. Then, pretreat the stain with a laundry pre-treater or rub the stain with bar soap. Finally, launder the T-shirt in warm water with a fabric-safe bleach. If the stain is still there, repeat the presoaking step, or mix one quart of water with one teaspoon of laundry detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia, and let the garment soak in this solution for several hours.

When removing blood stains from a white T-shirt, it is important to act quickly, as fresh blood stains are easier to remove. Additionally, always use cold water when treating blood stains, as hot water can cause the stain to set into the fabric.

Frequently asked questions