How to remove blood stains from mattress with vinegar

Blood is one of the toughest stains to remove from a mattress. But many household ingredients can help. Knowing how and when to use them will keep your mattress in good condition. Keep reading to learn more.

Timing is crucial when you have blood stains on your mattress. The quicker you act, the easier it is to remove the stain. Read on to learn what to do in each situation.

• Use Cold Water for All Blood Stains
  
• Should You Use Baking Soda on Blood Stains?
  
• Removing Blood Using Hydrogen Peroxide
  
• Removing Blood from a Mattress with Vinegar
  
• How to Get Dried Blood Out of a Mattress

Use Cold Water for All Blood Stains

The most important thing to remember is to always use cold water for blood stain removal. That includes using only cold water when throwing any linens in the washing machine.

Cold water could be all you need to remove blood stains if you catch them early. Dampen a clean, white rag with cold water to gently blot the blood stain.

Don't press too hard. Rubbing will set the stain into the mattress. You should also take care not to soak the mattress. While you might remove the blood stain, you'll replace it with mildew growth.

After you remove the blood, let the mattress dry completely before replacing the bed linens.

Hot or warm water will make a blood stain worse. Hot water basically cooks the proteins in the blood and makes the stain more likely to bond to the fibers of your mattress.

Should You Use Baking Soda on Blood Stains?

If the blood stain is a little stubborn, baking soda may help. Follow these steps:

1. Combine two parts cold water and one part baking soda.
2. Lightly apply the mixture to the stain.
3. Gently rub without pushing the stain further into the mattress.
4. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes.
5. Blot the mixture up with a clean, lightly dampened cold rag.
6. Finish by blotting up the moisture with a dry towel.

Meat Tenderizer for Blood Stains
It may sound strange, but meat tenderizer powder helps break down the proteins in a blood stain. You can find meat tenderizer powder in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.

Mix one part meat tenderizer with two parts water and lightly rub it onto the stain.

Let the mixture sit for a few hours. Then blot it up with a damp, clean towel. You can use the upholstery attachment on a dry vacuum to remove any remaining debris.

Removing Blood Stains Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works well as a stain removal agent. Follow these steps to apply it.

1. Mix ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon each of dish soap and table salt to create a paste.
2. Dab the mixture onto the stain—do NOT rub it in. That will push the blood further into the bed.
3. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
4. Scrape it up using a butter knife or spatula.
5. Use a clean towel or clean cloth with a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to dab the stain. Make sure the cloth is white so that it doesn't transfer any colors to your mattress.
6. Repeat the process as necessary.

How to Get Blood Stains Out of a Memory Foam Mattress
When trying to remove blood stains from memory foam, make sure the mattress doesn't get too wet. The mattresses run the risk of mold growth because of their thick material. Use a hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and salt mixture to avoid soaking the mattress.

Then blot the wet spot with a clean cloth dampened with cold water. Be sure the mattress dries completely. If you need to speed the process along, use a hand fan or hair dryer on the lowest setting for a few minutes.

Removing Blood from a Mattress with Vinegar

Vinegar can help remove a fresh blood stain. Here's what you need to do.

1. Blot up as much of the blood as possible.
2. Sprinkle baking soda over the area.
3. Lightly spray with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. The vinegar will cause the baking soda to bubble. The bubbles help lift the blood off of the mattress.
4. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
5. Once the mixture stops bubbling, dab it away with a damp, clean cloth (cold water only).

You can also use a wet or dry vacuum to remove the dried residue off the mattress. If the blood stain remains, repeat the steps as necessary.

Can Toothpaste Remove Blood Stains?
Toothpaste is not an effective blood stain remover for mattresses. However, if your sheets or linens have blood stains, toothpaste may help. The paste lifts the stain, but the sheets must be washed thoroughly after. Otherwise, your mattress could have a permanent toothpaste smell.

How to Get Dried Blood Out of a Mattress

A corn starch mixture may help with a stubborn dried blood stain. These are the steps you can take:

1. Mix ½ cup each of corn starch and hydrogen peroxide.
2. Add a tablespoon of salt to it.
3. Lightly place the mixture on the blood stain.
4. After 30 minutes, use an old toothbrush to work the mixture into the mattress.
5. Dab the area with a slightly damp (cold water) rag until the stain disappears.

If you notice the stain remains after the mattress dries, repeat the process as many times as necessary.

What if Blood Just Gets on Sheets?
If the blood on your bed didn't sink as deep as your mattress, your job is significantly easier. If the blood stain is still fresh, immediately rinse the sheets with cold water.

If the stain still remains or is dried, you have options:

• Soak your sheets in a mixture of cold water and enzymatic cleaner for 15 minutes
• Saturate the stain with a 50/50 mixture of ammonia and cold water
• Soak the sheets in soda for a few hours

Once you've done one of the above steps, toss your sheets in the laundry and wash using cold water only.

Bottom Line

Fast action is the key to removing blood stains from a mattress. If you don't catch the stain right away, it'll take a little more work (and patience). Fortunately, you can usually find the products needed to remove blood stains around your home.

Can vinegar get blood out of mattress?

How do you get dried blood out of a mattress?

How long do you leave vinegar on a mattress?

Which gets rid of blood better from mattress hydrogen peroxide or vinegar?