Accidents happen without a reason, and sometimes, these accidents involve blood. It can be as simple as a sudden nosebleed or a small cut, but it can leave your furniture upholstery with blood stains. Now, any homeowner knows how difficult it is to get those blood stains out of your upholstery. A prompt cleaning action is required if you wish to maintain the upholstery’s appearance.
Today, we have come up with a solution to the problem of getting blood out of upholstery. Stay with us till the end, as we’ll tell you about different cleaning methods.
Why Are Blood Stain So Tough To Take Out Of Upholstery?
Blood, whether from animals or humans, creates a protein-based stain. Such stains are really hard to remove and require quick action. It is much easier to get fresh blood stains out rather than the ones that have dried up. In case your furniture upholstery has dried blood stains, we have a cleaning method for that, too.
Cleaning Methods For Blood Stains From Upholstery
Here are some steps to remove fresh and dry blood stains from the upholstery. Have a look at them:
Step By Step Guide To Remove Fresh Blood Stains
If an accident has happened and the upholstery is stained with fresh blood, this method is just for that. Follow these steps to the letter for an effective removal.
- Take a paper towel or clean cloth and start blotting down on the blood stain. Do not rub the blood, or it will either spread more or seep deep within the upholstery.
- Take another clean paper towel or cloth and dampen it with cold water. Cold water is great for dissolving the blood without allowing it to seep into the fabric. Do it multiple times and check if blood is soaking the cloth.
- Now, take 2 cups of water in a bowl and add 1 tbsp of salt to it. Dampen a cloth with this solution and dab the blood-stained upholstery area. Salt breaks down blood proteins for easy removal.
Step By Step Guide To Remove Dried Up Blood Stains
Sometimes, the blood stain goes unnoticed, or you don’t have the time to remove it. It gets all dried up, and now it is ruining the appearance of your upholstery. These are the steps to tackle such dried-up blood stains from upholstery.
Scraping The Dried Blood
Take a soft bristle brush and start removing the dried blood from the upholstery surface. Do it gently so as not to damage the fabric itself.
Cleaning Solutions For Dried Up Blood Stains
Two cleaning solutions can get dried-up blood stains out of upholstery within minutes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: It breaks down the blood protein even when dried up. Apply it directly onto the stain, and you will see some fizzing. This is the breaking down of the blood proteins. Afterward, blot clean the area.
- Enzyme Cleaner: These are usually used for pet stains, but they work well for blood stains as well. Follow the cleaning instructions on the cleaner’s packaging. This is often a direct application on the blood stain and blot cleaning.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions To Get Blood Out Of Upholstery
Some people hate using chemical-based cleaning solutions to clean their Sofa upholstery. For those, we have these homemade cleaning solutions. You can make them within minutes and easily clean any blood stains.
Baking Soda Paste
Simply take an ordinary baking soda from your kitchen and some clean water.
- Mix them both to form a viscous paste and apply it to the blood stain.
- Let the paste settle for about 20 minutes.
- Now blot clean the paste with a clean cloth.
Vinegar Cleaning Solution
- Take 1 part white vinegar at home and add in 2 parts of water.
- Soak a clean cloth in this solution and blot the blood stain.
- Vinegar will break the blood protein for easier lifting of the stain.
Special Cleaning Methods For Different Upholstery Fabrics
There are some special fabrics for furniture upholstery that, when stained, require specialized cleaning methods.
Leather Upholstery Cleaning
If blood has gotten into your leather furniture upholstery, a special method is required. First, blot the blood stain with a clean cloth.
Use specialized leather upholstery cleaner to clean the stain. Do not use excess water or harsh chemicals.
Microfiber Upholstery
Microfiber is plush but is highly moisture-absorbent, and it soaks the blood just as quickly. Do a prompt blotting of the blood stain with a cloth soaked in cold water.
Use a soap to clean the stain. For dried-up stains, make a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. Spray it on the blood stain and then blot clean with a cloth.
Professional Upholstery Cleaning Services
Sometimes, there are many blood stains that have dried up or seeped deep within the upholstery fabric. For these tough stains, you might need a professional cleaning service. These services have cleaners with experience in dealing with tough stains. They have the right tools and knowledge of upholstery fabrics. They can get the blood out of upholstery without damaging the fabric or furniture.
Some Tips For Getting Blood Out Of Upholstery
Here are some effective tips for getting blood out of upholstery. These can not only offer easy and effective upholstery cleaning but also protect the furniture.
- Refrain from using a steam cleaner or hot water cleaning to get blood stains out. Heat causes the blood to set in, making it harder to remove.
- Do not rub the blood stain, as this causes the blood to spread further and deeper into your upholstery. Always use gentle blotting.
- First, test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery to see if it causes discoloration.
Conclusion
These were all about how to get blood out of upholstery. Getting blood out of upholstery is certainly a difficult task. However, with the right cleaning method and appropriate cleaning material, this task is manageable. We have explained all the cleaning methods for both fresh and dried-up blood stains. Please make use of them and follow the instructions to maintain the beauty of your upholstery.
