How to Remove Blood Stains from Clothes and Fabrics With Bleach

Does bleach remove blood stains? Learn how to get blood out of clothes and other fabrics including removing blood from sheets, mattresses, and towels.

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Use as directed.

How to get blood stains out of whites and bleach-safe fabrics

  1. Rinse

    If the blood stain is fresh, rinse it in cold water first, then dab it with hydrogen peroxide.

  2. Presoak

    Presoak the stain in cool water using a good detergent that contains enzymes. Soak item for 30–60 minutes. Following the presoak, drain the presoaking solution and rinse the item.

  3. Pre-Treat

    Pretreat with a bleach and water solution made with ¼ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach added to ¾ cup water. Apply the bleach and water solution to the stain and then immediately machine wash the item.

  4. Wash

    Wash immediately in the warmest water recommended on the care label with detergent and ⅓ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach.

  5. Check

    Air dry and check for success. If residual stain remains, repeat the treatment.

Note: Blood stains on wool, silk or other dry clean only items should be treated by a professional dry cleaner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I use hot or cold water to remove blood stains?

Use cold water when washing an item with blood stains. Never use hot water. After you remove the blood, then you can use warm or hot water.

How can I get blood stains out of colored cotton?

It’s best to start off presoaking the item in cool water for at least 30–60 minutes using a good liquid detergent that contains enzymes. Next, pretreat the stains with Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover and Laundry Additive. Wait 10 minutes, then machine wash using detergent and more Clorox 2®.

How do I get dried blood out of a mattress?

If it’s a recent stain that has dried, you should be able to remove it with Clorox® Urine Remover. Then, do a follow-up treatment with a steam cleaner using the upholstery attachment.

How do I remove blood stains from white sheets and clothes?

Start by presoaking the stains in cool water using a good detergent that contains enzymes. Look at the list of ingredients on the product to make sure. You’ll need to soak your sheets for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 60 minutes. Proceed as directed above.

Can nail polish remover remove blood stains?

Unfortunately, nail polish remover will not get rid of blood stains. It’s acetone, which is a solvent, and shouldn’t be applied to clothing or textiles that will be machine washed.

How do I remove menstrual blood stains?

Begin by rinsing the stain with a little cool water. Apply Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover and Laundry Additive to both sides of the stain. The Clorox 2® for Colors product will start to work right away.

Tip

DO rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible.

Tip

DO dab a little hydrogen peroxide or saliva on the stain.

Tip

DO use laundry products that contain hydrogen peroxide, like Clorox 2® For Colors products, to make it easier to remove the stain.

DON'T rinse the stain with warm or hot water.

DON'T use nail polish remover, which is acetone, or other flammable solvents to remove blood stains.

How to get blood stains out of colored clothing and fabrics

  1. Rinse

    If the blood stain is fresh, rinse it in cold water first, then dab it with hydrogen peroxide.

  2. Pre-Soak, if Needed

    For larger stains or stains that cover an entire piece of clothing or fabric, soak the stained areas in 1 quart of water mixed with 1 cup of Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover & Laundry Additive for up to 60 minutes.

  3. Apply

    For smaller stains, pour Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover & Laundry Additive onto the blood stain. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, and make sure not to let it dry. If the stain is particularly tough to remove, gently rub the stained area with Clorox 2® for Colors.

  4. Wash

    For colored clothing and fabrics, set your washer to the hottest recommended water setting on your garment’s care label. Then, add detergent and Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover & Laundry Additive into the dispenser to help remove stains and odors, and make both colored and white clothing brighter and cleaner.

  5. Check

    Air dry and check for success. If residual stain remains, repeat the treatment.

Note: Blood stains on wool, silk or other dry clean only items should be treated by a professional dry cleaner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I use hot or cold water to remove blood stains?

Use cold water when washing an item with blood stains. Never use hot water. After you remove the blood, then you can use warm or hot water.

How can I get blood stains out of colored cotton?

It’s best to start off presoaking the item in cool water for at least 30–60 minutes using a good liquid detergent that contains enzymes. See above for Presoak and Pretreat instructions using Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover & Laundry Additive.

How do I get dried blood out of a mattress?

If it’s a recent stain that has dried, you should be able to remove it with Clorox® Urine Remover. Then, do a follow-up treatment with a steam cleaner using the upholstery attachment.

How do I remove blood stains from white sheets and clothes?

Start by presoaking the stains in cool water using a good detergent that contains enzymes. Look at the list of ingredients on the product to make sure. You’ll need to soak your sheets for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 60 minutes. Read on for next steps to remove blood stains from your white sheets and clothes.

Can nail polish remover remove blood stains?

Unfortunately, nail polish remover will not get rid of blood stains. It’s acetone, which is a solvent, and shouldn’t be applied to clothing or textiles that will be machine washed.

How do I remove menstrual blood stains?

Begin by rinsing the stain with a little cool water. Apply Clorox 2® for Colors Stain Remover & Laundry Additive to both sides of the stain. The Clorox 2® for Colors product will start to work right away.

Tip

DO rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible.

Tip

DO dab a little hydrogen peroxide or saliva on the stain.

Tip

DO use laundry products that contain hydrogen peroxide, like Clorox 2® For Colors products, to make it easier to remove the stain.

DON'T rinse the stain with warm or hot water.

DON'T use nail polish remover, which is acetone, or other flammable solvents to remove blood stains.

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