How to Get Blood Out of Carpet or Upholstery
Whether a spot stems from a small cut or a bloody nose, blood stains can be stubborn and stressful to clean when embedded deep into carpet fibers or upholstery.
To help you remove blood from carpeting, our experts suggest cleaning techniques and tools to remove every trace. We’ve broken the recommendations down into three categories: “Best,” “Good,” and “Might Work”.
Pro Tip: “Dried blood is much more difficult to clean out of carpet,” says Jim Pell, Senior Chemist at BISSELL. “When dried, the proteins in blood tend to bond with fabrics making it very difficult to remove.”
If possible, clean blood from carpet and upholstery when it's fresh, and clean with cool water rather than hot, since hot water can set blood stains.
The basics of blood stain removal
Removing blood stains from carpets can be challenging due to the composition of blood and its ability to bond with fibers. Time is of the essence, so aim to address the stain as soon as possible.
The faster you act, the more likely you are to remove the blood stain completely. Delays can lead to the stain setting deeper into the carpet.
Pre-treatment step
Ideally, you can address a blood stain before it dries. But if you don’t have time to do a full clean in the moment, there is one thing you can do to stop the blood from seeping deeper into your carpet or upholstery. Blot up any liquid before it dries or spreads.
Blot the stain
Use a white cloth or paper towel to blot the affected area, lifting as much blood as possible to reduce the area you need to clean. Avoid rubbing, as this will push the blood further into the carpet or fabric fibers.
Step-by-step stain removal for wet or dry blood
There are several ways to remove blood from carpet or upholstery, each with its own rate of effectiveness. The most effective blood stain removal methods involve applying a liquid cleaning formula to break down the stain. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before you start. For upholstery, only fabrics with a “W” or “WS” label are able to be cleaned with water-based cleaners such as BISSELL® cleaning formulas.
Best Method: Carpet cleaner with OXY-based formula
Materials needed
- A carpet and upholstery cleaning machine
- You can use an upright carpet cleaner like ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
- A portable deep cleaner will also work – we like the Little Green® Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner
- An OXY-based cleaning solution designed for carpets
- For an upright cleaning machine, we recommend PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formula
- For a portable cleaner, try Little Green™ Spot & Stain Formula for Portable Carpet Cleaners
- White cloth or paper towel
Step 1: Fill carpet cleaner with cleaning solution
Add water and the OXY-based cleaning solution to your carpet cleaning machine, following the measurement guides on the machine’s clean tank. Remember to use cold water, since warm or hot water can cause blood to set.
Step 2: Spot clean the affected area
If using a portable deep cleaner, such as Little Green® Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner: Focus on cleaning the blood-stained area and the two inches around it, since liquid can spread underneath the carpet or upholstery fabric’s surface.
Using the tool on the portable deep cleaner, make one pass over the stain with the sprayer on, wetting the area with the water and Little Green™ Spot & Stain Formula for Portable Carpet Cleaners. Gently scrub the stain with the handheld tool. Extract the stain and excess solution by pressing the tool into the treated area, pulling it back toward you to suction up the moisture.
If using an upright deep cleaner, such as ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner: You have a choice between cleaning with the hose and cleaning tool (such as for stains on furniture) or cleaning with the foot of the machine.
When using the hose and tool to clean, follow the portable deep cleaner instructions above.
When using the foot of the upright carpet cleaner to clean blood, aim to clean the area that appears to be stained, as well as a few inches around it.
Press the machine’s trigger, making one pass forward over the stain as you release through the foot of the machine the water and PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formula. The brush roll with gently agitate the carpet, working the cleaning formula into the fibers. Release the trigger and pull the machine back, extracting as much liquid and stain from the carpet as possible. Make a second forward and backward pass.
Step 3: Repeat if necessary
For stubborn stains, repeat the cleaning process until the stain is gone.
Step 4: Allow to dry overnight
After the stain is removed, allow the carpet or piece of furniture to air dry overnight. You can open a window, turn on a face, or run your AC or HVAC system to speed up the drying time.
Good Method: OXY stain remover handheld spray
If you don’t have a carpet cleaning machine, a handheld spray solution is another way to get fast-acting formula onto a blood stain. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to supply the scrubbing and extraction power.
Why OXY? An OXY-based stain remover effectively removes blood stains by breaking down the proteins in blood that stick to carpet and upholstery fibers. Other formulas may work to remove this type of stain, but an OXY formula works best.
Materials needed
- OXY stain remover spray, such as PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer for Carpet and Upholstery
- White cloth
Step 1: Blot and absorb
If the blood is still wet, blot the area with a clean white cloth or paper towel to remove surface blood.
Step 2: Test in a hidden spot
Test your OXY spray stain remover on an inconspicuous area of your carpet or upholstery to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration. We like PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer for Carpet and Upholstery.
Step 3: Apply OXY stain remover
After confirming your carpet or fabric is color-fast when using your stain remover, apply it to the blood stain and the surrounding two-inch perimeter. Oftentimes, wet stains spread under the surface, so the actual stain may be larger than it appears.
Step 4: Let it sit
Allow the stain remover to sit for one minute so it has time to break down the blood particles.
Step 5: Repeat if necessary
Reapply the OXY stain remover if the stain is still visible.
Step 6: Blot excess and allow to air dry
Once the stain has vanished, blot the area with the white cloth to absorb any excess moisture, then allow the stain to air dry.
Might Work: DIY cleaning solutions
If you don’t have a portable carpet cleaner or stain spray solution on hand, you aren’t destined to have a permanent blood stain. Blotting the area can help contain the stain, and dabbing with cold water may lift some of the stain.
You may decide to try a homemade solution such as the one detailed below, which calls for pure hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild bleaching agent, which is why it’s often used in cleaning formulas, including many by BISSELL. It is, after all, the main active ingredient in OXY formulas. However, when used on its own at full strength, it can bleach or discolor certain types of fibers.
This and other DIY cleaners provide varying results. But if you try and don’t get the level of clean you desire, you’re not totally out of luck. You can always apply an OXY-based cleaner after the fact and still get good results.
Materials needed
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cold water
- Clean cloth
Step 1: Dampen cloth with hydrogen peroxide
Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 2: Test in a discreet area
Before you use any stain remover on a stain, test an inconspicuous area of your carpet or upholstery to ensure it’s colorfast.
Step 3: Apply to the stain
Once hydrogen peroxide is deemed safe for your carpet, gently blot the blood stain with your dampened cloth, starting from the outside and working your way in. Make sure to blot, not rub, to avoid setting the stain further into the carpet.
Step 4: Rinse with cold water
After letting the hydrogen peroxide sit, wet a new clean cloth or paper towel with cold water and blot the area to rinse/remove the hydrogen peroxide and any remaining blood.
Step 5: Dry the area
Press a dry towel firmly over the cleaned area to absorb as much moisture as possible. Then, allow the area to air dry overnight.
Preventing carpet and upholstery damage
Avoid hot water
Hot water can set blood stains, making them harder to remove. Always use cold water for blood stain removal.
Test new solutions on a small area
Before applying any homemade cleaner, test it on an inconspicuous section of the carpet to ensure it doesn’t discolor or damage the fibers.
Tips for long-term carpet maintenance
Regularly vacuum and spot clean
Vacuuming carpets weekly and furniture every two to three weeks can extend the life of your carpet and furniture and keep it looking clean. So can addressing stains immediately with spot cleaning. Establish a deep cleaning schedule every one to six months, taking into account the amount of wear your carpet and upholstery gets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get blood out of a carpet?
The best way to get blood out of carpet is to act quickly while the blood is still wet, according to Jim Pell, Senior Chemist at BISSELL. For best results, using a portable or upright carpet cleaner, such the ProHeat 2X® Revolution® Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner filled with water and PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formula, or the Little Green® Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner paired with Little Green™ Spot & Stain Formula for Portable Carpet Cleaners and cold water. These machines and formulas are designed to target deep set stains clinging to carpet fibers, such as blood, urine, wine, and other everyday messes. If you don’t have a deep cleaner, using an OXY-based spray cleaning formula is a good option.
How do you get dried blood stains out?
Dried blood stains can be more challenging to remove from carpet but are still very treatable. When you go over the stain with an upright or portable carpet cleaner and carpet cleaning solution, you may need to make repeat passes to fully clean the stain. Be sure you're using cold water, as warm or hot water can set a blood stain.
What is the best stain remover for blood stains?
The best stain remover for blood stains is an OXY-based stain remover, which combines hydrogen peroxide with other cleaning ingredients to carefully break down many types of stains. If you’re looking for a handheld spray, PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer for Carpet and Upholstery is designed to remove stains like urine, blood, and similar protein-based stains.
Does baking soda remove blood stains?
Baking soda might work to remove wet blood stains. But like other home cleaners, it’s use isn’t backed by much hard science or testing. For best results, use a store-bought carpet cleaning formula that contains OXY.