For blood stain on white cotton: Cold water only โ heat coagulates the protein and sets it permanently. Follow the steps below and most of these come out without a trip to the cleaner.
Blood is a protein stain, and protein coagulates with heat and grips the fibre โ so temperature decides the outcome. Cold water, always: that one rule alone removes most fresh blood. For dried blood, hydrogen peroxide works well, but test it first because it can lift colour from dyed fabric.
Method by fabric
White cotton
What you need
- Cold water
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Laundry detergent
Steps
- 1Rinse thoroughly in cold water.
- 2Pour hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain and let it fizz.
- 3Rinse cold after five minutes and repeat if needed.
- 4Apply detergent and wash on cold.
- 5Check before drying.
Caution
Hydrogen peroxide bleaches dyed fabric โ keep it to whites.
Never do this
- Using hot water โ the protein sets permanently
- Scrubbing hard โ it drives the stain deeper into the weave
- Ironing or tumble drying before it is gone