Getting blood out

Rachel shared on ANecdotes Jan 2015

www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101324
Cleaning issue question

Hi, I just hosted a couple and the woman has gotten blood on my cream colored sheets from her period. What is the best way to get blood out of sheets that has seem to set in for a few days (not sure when they first stained it). Any home remedies would be appreciated! I don't want to have to buy new sheets. Thank you my fellow host!
-Rachel
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Sky

Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I just read in another post, to use hydrogen peroxide on the blood, though this may not work if the blood has already dried. You could also try doing an online search for something like "how to clean blood from linens". I just did that search and found these:

www.wikihow.com/Remove-Dried-Blood-Stains-from-Fabric

and
www.rd.com/slideshows/how-to-remove-blood-stains/

and
www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/stain-removal/blood-stain-removal.html

and there are more too....
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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Thanks Deborah!

Fiona
Fionaa year ago
This is the kind of question God invented Martha Stewart for...you can look up her laundry and stain guides. I never trust her on recipes but on gardening and housekeeping she is usually very reliable.

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
OK thank you Fiona! Good idea.
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Sky
Skya year ago
Google it. But from personal experience soak in cold watety

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Sky
Skya year ago
Cold water

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Sky
Skya year ago
Use Stain remover can get from Dollar Store or Walmart. Borex is good as an abrasive and strong.. Do Not dry before cleaning or the dryer will set in the stain.

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Thanks - great idea!

Ana
Anaa year ago
Vanish usually works. Hydrogen peroxide also works

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Leigh Ann
Leigh Anna year ago
Shout

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Lula and Larry
Lula and Larrya year ago
Cold water and soap. Scrub. Only cold water!

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Nannette
Nannettea year ago
Cold water.

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Jayne
Jaynea year ago
Soak in cold ld water and salt an hour or two then wash on a normal but not hot wash. Hot water will set the stain. Use hydrogen peroxide on set stains, especially good for mattresses.

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Yes thankfully the blood did not go through the sheets onto the mattress pad.

Sky
Skya year ago
I didn't know about the hydrogen peroxide so thanks all.

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Suzi
Suzia year ago
Damp the stain then sprinkle on salt, leave it a while, then wash the area in cold water. For future ref, soak in cold water as soon as you find it.

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Thank you suzi! Great idea and will do

Salvia
Salviaa year ago
Cold (!) water and soaking and rinsing much as possible. Then treat with special stain remover for blood, lukewarm wash. Repeat treaemt with stain remover if still some shadows / traces left.

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Thanks salvia

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Margo
Margoa year ago
I am no Martha Stuart however from my experience only bleach will remove the blood stain. Soak the stain in water and bleach mix and see it vanish, it will take a while. Also, if your sheet is cream color the bleach will remove the color. After the stain cleared wash in hot water in the washing machine and add bleach and soap to the water, the sheet then will be all white. I suggest using white sheets only and use mix of water, soap and bleach to disinfect the bedding from any harmful bacteria, mites and possible tics and flees. One never knows what guests bring with them through their body fluids and on their cloths. This is the procedures hotels use after each guest. I am not a big fan of bleach however the other option can be more harmful. A hot iron also will remove microscopic bugs. You can also rinse the bedding more than one time to remove access bleach.

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Maxine
Maxinea year ago
My laundry says bleach will make your linens go grey. They use Oxy-action stain cleaners

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Rachel
Rachela year ago
Thanks everyone! I soaked the stained area in very cold water for 30 min and then I poured salt on the stains and let it sit for 15 min. Then I rinsed it all out with hydrogen peroxide. It worked! Thank you all for the great suggestions

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Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Yay! Glad it worked out, you got lots of ideas here.