- 15 de September de 2026
How to Remove Blood Stains from Clothes: Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Blood stains can seem difficult to remove, especially when they have dried or when they appear on white clothing. However, taking the right action from the very beginning can make a big difference.
In this article, we explain how to remove blood stains from clothes, whether they are fresh or already dried, as well as which products and methods you should avoid to prevent making the stain worse.
What to Do When a Blood Stain Appears
The most important thing is to act as quickly as possible. The longer blood remains on the fabric, the more it can become embedded in the fibres, making it harder to remove.
Before using any product:
- Remove excess blood with absorbent paper or a clean cloth, without rubbing.
- Rinse the area with cold water.
- Avoid hot water.
- Always check the garment’s care label before applying any product.
A fairly common mistake is putting the garment directly into the washing machine with hot water. Heat can cause the proteins in blood to become more firmly set in the fabric, making them more difficult to remove afterwards.
How to Remove a Fresh Blood Stain
If the stain is still wet, it is usually easier to remove.
1. Rinse with cold water
Place the stained area under the tap and use cold water. If possible, allow the water to run through the fabric from the back of the stain towards the front.
This helps flush some of the blood out of the fibres.
2. Apply a mild detergent
After rinsing, you can apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the stain.
Leave it to work for a few minutes and gently rub it with your fingers or a soft clothes brush.
3. Rinse and wash as normal
Rinse the area thoroughly and wash the garment according to the care label instructions.
Before putting it in the dryer, check that the stain has disappeared. If there is still blood remaining, it is better to repeat the treatment before applying heat.
How to Remove Dried Blood Stains
Dried blood stains may require a little more patience, but that does not necessarily mean the garment is beyond saving.
1. Soften the stain
Soak the garment in cold water for a while to help soften the dried blood.
Then, gently try to remove any superficial residue that may have become attached to the fabric.
2. Use detergent
Apply liquid detergent to the area and leave it to work for a few minutes.
Gently rub the area, taking care not to damage the garment’s fibres.
3. Repeat the process if necessary
A dried stain may require more than one treatment. It is preferable to repeat the process several times rather than using overly aggressive products all at once.
How to Remove Blood Stains from White Clothes
With white clothing, it can be particularly tempting to use bleach immediately, but it is not always the best option.
First, try to remove the stain using cold water and detergent.
If you need to use a specific stain remover, make sure it is suitable for white garments and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Also, avoid applying any product without first checking how the fabric reacts to it. A white garment can become marked or damaged if a product that is too harsh is used.
What If the Clothes Are Coloured?
Extra care should be taken with coloured clothing.
A product that removes blood can also alter the colour of the fabric.
Therefore:
- Use cold water first.
- Apply a detergent suitable for coloured clothing.
- Do not use conventional bleach.
- If you are going to use a stain remover, make sure it is suitable for coloured garments.
- If you are unsure, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Blood from Clothes
There are several common mistakes that can make the stain more difficult to remove.
❌ Using Hot Water
This is probably one of the most common mistakes. Heat can cause blood to adhere more firmly to the fibres.
Better option: cold water.
❌ Rubbing the Stain Too Hard
Aggressive rubbing can spread the stain and can also damage the fabric fibres.
It is better to work on the area gradually.
❌ Putting the Garment in the Dryer Before Removing the Stain
The heat from the dryer can set the remaining blood even further.
Make sure the stain has disappeared before drying the garment with heat.
❌ Using Products That Are Too Harsh
Not all fabrics can withstand the same products. A solution that is too strong can discolour or damage the clothing.
Always check the garment’s care label and the product instructions.
What to Do If the Blood Stain Doesn’t Disappear
If a mark remains after treating the garment, that does not necessarily mean it cannot be removed.
It is best not to keep applying different products without knowing how they may react with the products already used.
Repeat the appropriate treatment for the fabric and, if the garment is delicate, particularly valuable, or made from a fabric requiring special care, it may be better to seek professional cleaning.
Some older stains may also require specific treatments depending on the type of fabric and how long the stain has been on the garment.
The Key to Removing Blood Stains: Act Quickly
In short, if you want to remove blood stains from clothes, remember these four rules:
- 🧊 Cold water, never hot water.
- 🧴 Use a detergent or stain remover suitable for the fabric.
- 👕 Treat the stain before putting the garment in the dryer.
- 🔁 If it does not disappear the first time, repeat the process instead of using increasingly aggressive products.
The sooner you act and the more appropriate the treatment, the better your chances of recovering the garment.
Don’t Have Time to Deal with All Your Laundry?
When you have to deal with stains, washing machines, dryers, folding clothes and putting everything away, a simple load of laundry can end up taking a large part of your day.
At Wash Horizon Express, we offer a wash and fold service in Barcelona, collecting your laundry, washing it, drying it and returning it ready to put away.
This way, you can leave your laundry in the hands of a professional service and spend that time on other things.