How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress

How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Whether the blood comes from a cut, menstrual period, or pet, it’s important to get blood out of a mattress as quickly as possible. Fresh blood stains are much easier to remove than those that are left to settle deeper into the mattress fibers.

Most blood stains can be removed from a mattress with products you probably already have on hand. It’s not quite as simple as removing blood stains from washable clothes that can be tossed in the washer, but it can be done.

How Often to Get Out Blood Stains From a Mattress

Blood stains should be removed as soon as they are discovered. However, if you miss a stain, treat it the next time you change the bedding. It’s not a good idea to wait but always get out blood stains when you clean your entire mattress seasonally.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Small bowl
• Microfiber cloth
• Soft-bristled nylon scrub brush
• Circulating fan
• Vacuum with attachments
• Rubber gloves (optional)

Materials

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Oxygen bleach
• Enzyme-based stain remover
• Paper towels

Instructions

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

1. Remove the Bedding

   Remove all of the bedding—comforter, sheets, and mattress pad from the mattress. Immediately treat the blood stains on any linens that are stained, and wash in cold water with an enzyme-based, heavy-duty detergent.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

2. Blot Fresh Blood Stains

   If the blood is fresh, put on rubber gloves and use paper towels to blot away as much moisture as possible. Do not rub the stain, just blot with firm pressure. Rubbing or wiping can cause the stain to spread.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

3. Try Cold Water

   Small, fresh blood stains can often be removed by simply blotting the area with a cloth dipped in cold water. Dip the cloth in cold water and wring until it is not dripping. Blot the stain moving to a clean area of the cloth as the blood is transferred.

   If there are no traces of the blood stain, use a clean dry cloth to blot up the moisture. Allow the mattress to air-dry for at least eight hours without any bedding.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

4. Combine Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

   Mix a cleaning paste of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Use a small soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to apply the paste to the stain. Remember to start at the outer edge and work towards the center.

   The mixture will bubble as the hydrogen peroxide reacts with the blood. Let it work for at least 30 minutes or until the bubbling stops. Dip a clean cloth in cold water and wring until it is not dripping. Blot away the cleaning paste and the blood moving to a clean area of the cloth as you go.

   Allow the mattress to dry completely (up to eight hours) before using. Use a vacuum with upholstery attachments to remove any traces of baking soda that remain.

   Warning

   Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach and may discolor a mattress with a dark fabric covering. It will not damage the padding or interior structure of the mattress.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

5. Use an Enzyme-Based Stain Remover

   To get out dried blood stains on a mattress, try a laundry stain remover that contains enzymes to help break apart the stain molecules. Place a small dab of the stain remover on a damp microfiber cloth.

   Starting at the outside edges of the blood stain and working toward the center (prevents spreading), work the product into the stain. Let it work for at least 15 minutes. Wet a clean microfiber cloth with cold water and blot away the stain remover and the stain. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth or rinse it often as the stain is transferred.

   Allow the mattress to air-dry—add a circulating fan to speed drying—for eight hours before using the mattress again.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

6. Treat With Oxygen Bleach

   Create a paste with 1/2 cup dry oxygen bleach and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl. Start at the edges of the stain and work towards the center applying the paste to the blood stain with a soft-bristled nylon brush.

   Allow the paste to work for at least two hours—the longer the better. Oxygen bleach is a slow-acting, mild bleach. Dip a clean cloth in cold water and wring until it is not dripping. Blot away the oxygen bleach and blood. Move to a clean area of the cloth or rinse the cloth often as you work.

   Allow the mattress to dry completely (up to eight hours) before using.

   The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tips to Keep Your Mattress Free of Blood Stains

• Always use a protective mattress pad.
• If someone is ill or having a menstrual period, add an additional layer of protection for the mattress. Place an absorbent plastic-backed pad or a thick towel under the bottom sheet.
• Check and change bandages and menstrual products right before bedtime.