How to get blood out of a mattress

Finding bloodstains on a mattress isn’t a cool sight. Usually, the immediate reaction is to wipe it off vigorously, but it doesn't work. First, you have to relax; sometimes, blood finds its way on a mattress. But once you know how to get blood out of a mattress you won’t have much to worry about when such happens.

Using the processes we’ve put together in this piece, you can get blood stain out of a mattress of any type without defacing it. These natural methods don’t involve any toxic chemicals; all you need are household items. Now, let’s begin.

What you should know about blood stains on a mattress

Blood is a biological substance with biodegradable components like hemoglobin and other proteins. This makes the procedure to remove blood from a mattress both easy and tricky. 

Easy because you only need natural, household ingredients to get rid of it. And tricky because the molecules can easily seep into the mattress or even undergo biological processes making it harder to remove.

The best way to clean blood from a bed is to use an enzyme cleaner (1). As the most common cause of bloodstains on a mattress is menstruation. Hence, many young women ask how to get period blood out of a mattress; the best option is to use an enzyme cleaner.

It’s also worth noting that it’s easier to remove blood from a mattress when it’s newly stained. Getting rid of dried blood from a mattress requires extra effort. But either way, using the appropriate materials, you can rest assured that you’ll remove all stains.

Things you need to remove blood from a mattress

In your quest to learn how to remove blood stains from a mattress, there are some materials you need to get your hands on. These things aren’t scarce, but at the same time, if you’re not used to housekeeping, you might need help identifying some of them.

Here’s a list of all the materials and equipment that can be used to get blood stain out of a mattress:

1. Clean towels
2. Spray bottle(s)
3. A bowl
4. Baking soda
5. White vinegar
6. Enzyme Cleaner
7. Hydrogen peroxide, 3%
8. Corn Starch
9. Table salt
10. Liquid detergent
11. Meat Tenderizer Powder
12. Talcum Powder
13. Coldwater
14. Vacuum cleaner (optional)
15. Cleaning Gloves (optional)

How to get blood out of a mattress

There are diverse approaches that different cleaning experts advocate when it comes to ‘how to get blood out of a mattress.’ The difference lies in the strength of the cleaning agent used in the various processes. 

Here are some things to note in the cleaning process:

• Do not use hot water to treat bloodstain, as it makes the molecules coagulate and more challenging to remove;
• Do not rub the stain in, only blot gently by swabbing sideways;
• If the bloodstain is for another person, it’s advisable to wear cleaning gloves to avoid the risk of blood transferred diseases.

That said, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of the processes involved in how to remove blood stains from a mattress.

Strong mixtures act fast to remove blood out of a mattress but pose a bigger threat of fading your mattress surface. In contrast, weaker agents require that you apply multiple times before getting desired results but pose a lesser risk of defacing your mattress. The key is to use a reasonable measure in both cases.

Pre Cleaning process

Before focusing on cleaning your mattress, you need to treat your stained beddings first. Then follow that with a treatment that readies the stain for cleansing.

• Remove beddings

1. Strip your bedsheets, pillowcases, and other machine-washable materials. You can also throw in the items that aren’t stained to clean them as well.
2. Pre-soak the separated materials in an enzyme cleaner for 15 minutes.
3. Wash all selected beddings in your washing machine.

• Blot Stain

1. Dip a clean towel in cold water and wring off excess water.
2. Blot away the top dirt on the spot by swabbing. Be careful not to rub in the bloodstains.
3. Blot the spot a second time using a dry cloth to wick away excess water.

Also read: How to Make a Mattress Firmer

The Cleaning Processes

The cleaning process is what you need to master in learning how to get blood out of a mattress. So, pay more attention to the steps below:

Step #1 - Prepare your choice cleaning agent

As we’ve already noted, enzyme cleaners are the ideal cleaning agents for situations like this, especially if you’re more particular on how to get period blood out of a mattress. However, several other options would work if you don’t have an enzyme cleaner.

Check the list of cleaning agents for removing blood stains:

• Baking soda with white vinegar

1. Make a solution of one part white vinegar in one part water into a spraying bottle;
2. Spritz the white vinegar solution over the affected area;
3. Sprinkle the Baking soda over the affected area after treatment with vinegar.

• Corn starch plus hydrogen peroxide

1. Mix a half cup of cornstarch with one-quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide;
2. Add a tablespoon of salt to form a thick paste.

• Hydrogen peroxide mixture

1. Mix a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of liquid detergent to make a fine paste.

• Meat tenderizer paste

1. Mix one tablespoon of meat tenderizer with two tablespoons of water to form a paste.

• Talcum powder paste

1. Mix a paste of talcum powder with little water.

Step #2 - Cleanse bloodstain with a cleaner

Whichever mixture or paste you’re able to come up with is your cleaning agent. Apply liquid mixtures by spritzing on a towel till it’s damp. For pastes, use a knife or your finger to smear on the affected area.

Step #3 - Allow time to breakdown

Give at least 30 minutes for the cleaning agent to act on the blood molecules and break them down. Only after is it easy to clean. This is especially valid for dried blood.

Step #4 - Scrub away

Once the blood clot on the mattress is degraded, use an old toothbrush to scrub the remains away. Be careful not to apply too much force to avoid spreading the stain.

Step #5 - Blot till clean

Now, using a clean towel, blot out traces of the stain from the treated region. It’s best to use a liquid cleaner, but you can use a mild mixture of liquid detergent in water if you’re not using one.

Step #6 - Air dry

It’s essential to allow the mattress to dry off completely. You’ll be preventing mold growth or tertiary stains that result from damp surfaces. Remember, even the best mattresses won’t last long if not properly maintained.

How to protect your mattress from blood stains

Having checked out how to get blood out of a mattress, you should know that the process involved isn’t straightforward. By all means, it’s better to protect your mattress from further stain.

1. Vacuum mattress surface

To keep your mattress as fresh as ever, vacuum the whole surface after the stain removal process. You can spray baking soda across before doing this to kill off germs.

2. Apply a mattress protector

After vacuuming, apply a mattress protector to your bed. The best way to protect your mattress from stains of any kind is to use a mattress protector. These usually come in waterproof materials to keep any contaminant from penetrating.

3. Care for your beddings

You shouldn’t sleep directly on your mattress cover because it would be uncomfortable and expose the material to wear and tear. 

Use an appropriate bed sheet to cover your bed neatly. You can throw in a weighted blanket or a duvet as well to get that cozy feel for more healthy sleep. Be sure to wash these beddings from time to time.

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