Finding a dry bloodstain on a mattress is something that no one wants to see or deal with. Bloodstains are notoriously tricky to remove, but when on your mattress, the treatment just got a lot more complicated.
You see, just by the very nature of bloodstains, they need to be soaked. Most of us do not have a spare mattress kicking around the house, so soaking our mattress to remove dry blood stains is just impractical.
So, what can we do? How do we manage this unsightly stain, and can we remove a dry blood stain, is it even worth trying with professional cleaning solutions?
The good news is dried blood stains can be removed without soaking your mattress. Not only can the stains be removed entirely, but you will also be able to use your mattress again the same day without the fear of a wet patch developing on your sheets.
So, let’s dive in deep and start removing dried blood stains from your mattress.
Can Store Items Clean Dry Blood?
The answer is yes, and we will look at only accessible store-bought items to address this thorny issue.
First up, will Vanish remove blood stains from a mattress? Well, it depends on how you want to tackle the problem. If you buy the vanish powdered detergent, we will be into soaking the area where the bloodstain is located. We can mitigate some of the moisture needed by blotting with a microfiber towel at regular intervals.
However, Vanish supplies a bar of Vanish soap which you should find in the laundry section at your local supermarket.
Wet the stained area slightly and then rub on the bar of Vanish soap. You may need to spray the area to keep it moist and enable the soap to be worked into the stain.
Having a soft brush at hand a toothbrush will suffice depending on the size of the stain. Massage the soap into the stain with the bristles of the brush. Being over-vigorous may only cause damage, so be gentle and let the process work.
You will need to keep the stained area moist to allow the active ingredients to vanish to start working. After twenty minutes, blot away the excess moisture from the stain.
At this point, you may need to use a wet cloth to remove the soap residue and anything that has been removed.
If you find a residual stain, then repeat the process. The stain will be removed.
Vanish has vanquished the stain, the stain is removed without any specialist chemicals.
You may wish to use a cool hair dryer to assist in drying the area that has been wet, together with bloating with a microfiber towel. The area will soon be dry.
Tried and Tested Ways to Remove Blood Stains
The following ingredients are likely to be found in the average home and have been proven to remove blood stains from fabrics, but will they remove a blood stain from a Mattress?
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Salt
- Meat tenderiser
Baking soda is one of those mystery products that we all know about. Baking soda was used as a soap back in the good old days of French society. It is also known as sodium bicarbonate and has many uses other than baking unleavened products.
In this case, baking soda will be used as an agent and a mopping up material due to its super absorbent nature.
Vinegar is a mild chemical that will break down some of the elements of the bloodstain.
Hydrogen peroxide is a slightly more aggressive agent that will clear the stain with an almost bleaching effect but without causing the degradation of the fabric.
Salt is abrasive and alkaline, which will also mildly attack the stain.
Finally, meat tenderiser, not the implement used for tenderising, and it is the powder tenderiser that you add to meat.
The thought process behind the meat tenderiser is its primary function is to break down proteins. Blood contains proteins and fats, and the thought is meat tenderiser will diminish the blood staining.
Mix the ingredients into a paste with hydrogen peroxide being used more than the other ingredients. It’s not an exact science, and some trial and error may need to get the correct formula.
Perseverance is the key when tackling bloodstains.
Wet the area sufficiently to allow the mixture to be worked into the fabric of the mattress. Again a soft brush will enhance the agitation of the mixture and coat the blood-soaked fibres in an even fashion.
After thirty minutes, remove the mixture and blot with a microfibre towel to remove as much moisture as possible. If the stain is not entirely removed, reapply the mixture, increasing the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
After a further thirty minutes, remove the mixture in the same process as before. A final light brush agitation with hydrogen peroxide will remove any telltale signs of the bloodstain.
In some cases, a residual stain can be removed with a warm iron while the stained area is still wet, and this often removes any residual staging leaving a clean mattress.
Does Bleach Work?
It is recommended not to use bleach or chlorine products on mattresses, and the chlorine is very aggressive and will damage the material of your mattress.
Conclusion
There is nothing to fear from the dreaded dry bloodstain on a mattress, and they can be removed with a bit of perseverance and tenacity.
Vanish is a product that is worth a try in the first instance. It is manufactured by a company with experience in stain removal and offers the best hope of immediate success.
Blood is difficult to remove if left to dry but, there is no need to seek the advice of professional cleaning companies in the first instance. You can fix the problem cheaply and without much hassle.