11 Unexpected Household Products That Clean Blood Stains

No matter how careful you are while cooking or working in the shed, accidents happen. Even a small nick can produce a decent amount of blood that can drip onto your clothes, furniture, or other surfaces. Don't panic! Well, you can panic about the cut, but no need to worry about the clean up. Although blood is notorious for being difficult to remove, there are many ways you can get rid of the stain. Using hydrogen peroxide is the most well known removal trick, but what happens if you don't have any on hand? The quicker you get to work on a blood stain the better success you will have, so knowing what common household products to reach for can be the difference between your favorite shirt looking good as new or having to be thrown out.

One thing to remember when removing blood is to wear gloves, especially if the blood is not yours, to prevent the spread of any pathogens or bacteria. This is important for your personal health and hygiene, but will also protect your hands from any of the stain removal products that might cause skin irritation. Do not ever use hot water on a blood stain since this will set it in the fabric — always use cold. Facing that bright red spot on your favorite linen isn't a futile effort, here are unexpected ways to clean up blood stains using products you likely have around your home.

Everyone's favorite cleaning superstar has yet another versatile use. Although white vinegar probably won't remove the entire stain on its own, it is helpful to break down the stain enough so that it can be more easily washed away with detergent. This is because vinegar contains acid, the compound responsible for its cleaning power. The acid helps to break down the protein in the blood. These hemoglobin proteins bind together when exposed to air, making them more difficult to remove. This is also why you should never use hot water when trying to remove blood since heat will also cause the proteins to bind together more, further setting the stain.

So grab your trusty container of white vinegar and pour it over the stain. Be generous and saturate it fully. Let the vinegar soak in and work its magic for about 10 minutes, then carefully blot, don't rub, the stain. Dab away as much vinegar and blood as possible. At this point, the stain won't be gone, but it should look a bit improved. Then wash in cold water as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting again.

No, we don't mean you should start hitting your clothes with a big metal mallet. But if you have a container full of meat tenderizing seasoning sitting in your cabinet, it might just be the thing that saves your blood stained garment. This product works because the powder is created with enzymes that break down the protein in meat, making your steak tender and easy to cut through. But it also will break down the protein in blood, making it less bound to the fabric and easier to lift.

You want to make sure you are using unseasoned meat tenderizer, otherwise the mixed in spices could create another stain. Start by making a paste with the unseasoned meat tenderizer and cold water. Fully saturate the stain with this paste and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off the paste and launder as usual. Some say that because this method attacks the protein bonds directly, it works well even on older stains, though we haven't verified this claim.

Many pet stain removers, like this formula from Nature's Miracle, are enzymatic stain removers, which is a type of product that uses plant enzymes to break down organic waste, stains, odors, and mold. Blood counts as an organic stain, so although it isn't a pet related mess, an enzymatic pet stain remover will be especially well-formulated to break down blood compared to a standard cleaner. They are also typically good at controlling odor, another benefit of using this product on stains.

First, rinse out as much of the stain as possible with cold water. Then, fully spray the affected area with the pet stain remover. Be generous and don't be afraid to saturate the material. Let it sit for an amount of time indicated by the instructions on the bottle. If you want even more stain fighting power, use a laundry brush to scrub the stain. Laundry brushes, like this one from The Laundress, have dense bristles that can help lift the stain more than scrubbing with your hands or a cloth could. A laundry brush can be used with other types of stain removing methods as well, making it a versatile tool if you have an accident-prone family. Once the pet stain treatment is done, wash as usual in cold water.

Baking soda is a known powerhouse cleaning ingredient, and it once again comes in handy if you're tackling a bloody mess. This is a great method since most people have some baking soda in their cleaning arsenal, or even a box sitting in their fridge to absorb odors that you can crack into in a real emergency.

Like with other ingredients on this list, you'll want to go the route of making a paste. How much paste you make depends on the size of the stain, but you'll want to use a ratio of two parts baking soda to one part water. This will ensure that the consistency is spreadable without being too runny. Apply the paste to thoroughly cover the stain and leave it for 30 minutes. After the time is up, carefully blot (don't scrub!) the paste away. Repeat this process if needed, then wash as normal. The baking soda treatment should give an extra boost to help remove the blood with no lingering discoloration.

Cornstarch is typically used to thicken soups and sauces, making it a staple for any home cooks. But did you know that in the 1800s it was actually invented for use in laundry? Therefore, it's no surprise that cornstarch has other household cleaning uses. Cornstarch is affordable and often sold in large quantities, making it easy to borrow a scoop or two to tackle a blood stain.

Take a few spoonfuls of cornstarch and slowly mix in cold water until a paste forms. Be careful not to make it too runny since we want to be able to isolate it over the stain. Then generously coat the blood stained area, making sure to cover both sides of the fabric if the stain has seeped through. Wait until the paste is fully dry. The amount of time you'll have to wait depends on how big the stain is and how much paste you used. Brush off the dried paste with your hand, an old toothbrush, or laundry brush. Wash in cold water and your item should be looking good.