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Three Blood Stain Removal Options For Carpets

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Accidents happen, and sometimes blood accompanies them. Once the person is patched up it is time to turn to the mess that was caused. Blood stains in carpet, especially light colored carpet, can be a challenge to remove if you don't know the proper methods. Fortunately, there are a few options that will work, so pick the one that will utilize the items you have on hand for removal.

Cold water and patience

Just like cleaning blood out of clothing, cold water can be used to get blood out of carpet. You will need the following:

  • A bowl of cold water
  • Rags

Soak a rag with cold water and begin wetting the stain, working from the outer edge inward. This will prevent the stain from spreading. Continue to wet and blot with the rag. The cold water should lift the stain eventually, especially if the stain is fresh, but it will take some time. Switch out rags as the first one becomes dirty and then repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Add some soap

If you have less time but happen to have a handwashing dish soap available, you may be able to speed up the process. For this you will need:

  • Two bowls of cold water
  • Dish soap
  • Rags

Mix two or three large squirts of the dish soap with about a cup of cold water in the first bowl. Place plain cold water in the second bowl.

Soak the blood with the soapy water, dabbing from the outside of the stain inwards. Allow the soap to soak in for a few minutes so it can begin breaking down the stain. Then, begin blotting and scrubbing lightly, taking care not to spread the stain around. Once it is loosened, use a clean rag and the clear water to blot of the soap and stain together.

Check the medicine cabinet

There are a few other cleaners that can quickly break down a blood stain. In fact, these may work better than soap or plain water on older stains. Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol are two such cleaning liquids that are more likely to be found in the medicine cabinet than the cleaning bucket. The following is what you will need:

  • Peroxide or alcohol
  • Paper towels
  • Cold water
  • Rags

Soak the stain in peroxide or alcohol – note that you may want to test the carpet for colorfastness in a hidden area first. Layer a couple of paper towels on top to soak up the blood as the peroxide or alcohol dries. As an alternative, soak a rag in the solution of choice and then blot up the stain. When you are done, rinse the area with cold water.

For more help, contact a professional carpet cleaner in your area.


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