How do I get rid of blood on pillow for couch?

Getting blood out of a couch pillow can seem daunting, but with the right cleaning methods, you can often remove the stain completely. Blood contains proteins that can bond strongly with fabric, making it a challenging stain to eliminate. However, don’t give up hope! With some patience and the proper cleaning techniques, you can likely get that couch pillow looking as good as new.

Assess the Stain

When you first discover a blood stain on your couch pillow, take a moment to assess it before doing anything else. Look at the size and location of the stain. Check to see if the blood is still wet or if it has dried. The age of the stain will impact how you go about removing it. A wet stain can often be lifted more easily before it dries and sets into the fabric.

Also, smell the stained area and check for color transfer. If it smells strongly metallic like blood, that’s a sign it is a fresh stain. Look at the pillow with the stain facing down to see if any of the color has bled through to the other side. This will give you an idea of how deeply it has penetrated the fabric.

Act Quickly for Wet Blood

If the blood stain is still damp or wet, you want to act as fast as possible. The quicker you can get to a fresh blood stain, the better chance you have of removing it completely.

Start by using a clean, dry towel or cloth to blot at the wet stain. Press down firmly to absorb as much of the blood as possible. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the stain, as this can further push the blood into the fibers. Blotting picks up the blood rather than smearing it around.

Once you have blotted up any excess blood, rinse the stained area with cold water. Try to flush out the blood from the backside of the fabric too. Cold water can help constrict the blood proteins so they don’t bond as deeply with the fibers. Again avoid scrubbing, just let the water flow through to dilute and lift the blood.

Use Salt or Baking Soda for Dried Blood

If the blood stain has already dried on the pillow, you will need a different approach than just rinsing with water. With dried blood, the proteins have likely already adhered tightly to the fabric. To get them unstuck, you need an abrasive substance.

Common kitchen ingredients like salt or baking soda work well to lift out dried blood stains. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt or baking soda directly on the stained area. Use enough to completely cover the stain. Then rub it gently into the fabric using a damp sponge or cloth. The small granules help scrub away the blood proteins.

You can also make a paste by mixing 1 part baking soda or salt with 3 parts cold water. Use a spoon to spread the paste over the stain. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then wipe away with a clean, damp sponge.

Rinse with cold water afterwards until all of the abrasive has been removed. Check the stain and repeat this process if any blood remains.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide or Ammonia

For stubborn, set-in blood stains, stronger chemical solutions may be needed. Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are two powerful blood stain removers that you likely already have at home.

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective bleaching agent. It can help lift blood stains out of white or colorfast fabrics. Pour some hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain and let it bubble and fizz for about 10 minutes. Then dab at the foamy stain with a damp cloth and rinse.

Ammonia is another powerful blood stain remover. Mix 1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of cold water. Use a clean white cloth to press this solution into the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.

Use an Enzyme Cleaner

For really stubborn blood stains, use an oxygen or enzyme-based laundry stain remover. These products contain active enzymes that break down organic materials like food, sweat, and blood.

Look for stain removers specially formulated for blood, or ones made for protein stains. Follow the product instructions, as they often require presoaking the stain before washing.

Here are some effective enzyme cleaner options:

• OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick
• Biokleen Bac-Out Stain+Odor Remover
• Carbona Blood Stain Remover
• Biz Blood Remover Laundry Treatment
• Arm & Hammer Clean & Fresh Oxi Clean Versatile Stain Remover

Use Dish Soap and Cold Water

One homemade blood stain remover you probably already have is dish soap. A small amount of mild dish soap mixed with cold water can help lift fresh and dried blood stains.

Here’s how to try it:

1. In a bowl or bucket, mix 1 teaspoon of dish soap with 1 cup of cold water.
2. Using a clean sponge or towel, blot the stained area with the soapy water solution.
3. Avoid aggressively scrubbing, as this can further set the stain. Just blot and let the soap penetrate.
4. If needed, let the soapy solution sit for 10-15 minutes before blotting again.
5. Rinse thoroughly with cold water until all the soap residue is removed.
6. If any stain remains, repeat the process.

The surfactants in dish soap can help lift blood away from fabric fibers. Give this method a try before moving to harsher chemicals.

Apply Meat Tenderizer

Unseasoned meat tenderizer contains enzymes that break down blood proteins. That makes it helpful for removing dried blood stains.

To use it, make a paste by mixing one part meat tenderizer with two parts cold water. Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then rinse with cold water and check if the stain has lightened or lifted.

You can also lay the pillow stain-side down on a flat surface. Sprinkle meat tenderizer powder liberally over the backside of the stain. Add just enough water to dampen the powder into a paste. Let it soak in for an hour before rinsing.

Use Laundry Detergent and Vinegar

For washable couch pillow covers, the combination of laundry detergent and vinegar can help eliminate blood stains in the washing machine.

Check the care tag first to make sure the pillow cover can safely be washed. Then follow these steps:

1. Rinse the pillow cover in cold water to dilute any dried blood.
2. Apply a laundry pre-treatment spray or gel to the stained area. Let it sit according to package directions.
3. Wash the pillow cover in the washing machine with cold water and regular laundry detergent. Use the highest recommended amount of detergent.
4. For extra stain fighting power, add 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help break up blood proteins.
5. Air dry the pillow cover in sunlight, as the UV rays also aid in whitening.
6. Check for any remaining stains and repeat washing if needed.

Use Professional Dry Cleaning

For couch pillows and covers that are not machine washable, professional dry cleaning is recommended. The powerful solvents and detergents used by dry cleaners can eliminate blood stains on delicate fabrics.

Point out the stain to the dry cleaner when dropping off the pillow. Opt for a wet cleaning method, rather than dry cleaning chemicals, for best blood stain removal. Professionals also have access to enzyme cleaners and other stain fighters.

Depending on the age and severity of the stain, the pillow may need to be cleaned more than once by the dry cleaner to completely remove all traces of blood.

Replace Stained Pillows If Needed

If you have exhausted all other blood stain removal methods without success, replacing the stained pillow may be your best option. Couch pillows come in all shapes, sizes, and fabrics. You should be able to find a close match to swap out the stained one.

Consider purchasing a few extra pillow covers when you replace stained ones. That way you have spares on hand in case of future staining accidents.

For decorative couch cushions or pillows that are difficult to replace, consider getting a slipcover. This can hide the stained pillow until you have time to professionally clean or replace it.

Prevent Future Blood Stains

To avoid having to deal with blood stained couch pillows again, take some steps to prevent those stains in the first place:

• Use pillow covers which can be easily removed for washing.
• Apply a fabric protector spray that repels stains.
• Flip or rotate pillows weekly so they wear evenly.
• Blot spills immediately with a clean towel.
• Clean pillows regularly to prevent buildup of oils and dirt.
• Keep washable cover spares on hand for quick swaps.

While it’s nearly impossible to keep pillows perpetually pristine, prompt attention to spills can save you time and frustration down the road. With the right techniques, you can get your blood stained couch pillows back to their original condition.

Tips for Removing Blood Stains

Stain Type	Cleaning Method
Wet blood	Blot with clean towel Rinse with cold water
Dried blood	Salt or baking soda scrub Hydrogen peroxide Ammonia
Old or set-in stains	Enzyme cleaner Dish soap Meat tenderizer

Homemade Blood Stain Removers

Recipe	Ingredients	Method
Salt or baking soda paste	1 part salt or baking soda 3 parts cold water	Mix ingredients into paste Rub gently into stain Let sit 15 minutes Rinse with cold water
Ammonia solution	1 tablespoon ammonia 1/2 cup cold water	Mix ingredients Press into stain with cloth Let sit 30 minutes Rinse thoroughly
Meat tenderizer paste	1 part meat tenderizer 2 parts cold water	Mix into paste Apply to stain Let sit 30 minutes Rinse thoroughly