You woke up to a red stain on your bed. It could be a cut, that time of month, or a nosebleed. Either way, you need to work fast before the stain can set.

The good news is that there are several methods you can employ to get that fresh blood stain out.

These methods have proven successful, from applying the traditional baking soda method to resorting to chemical means like hydrogen peroxide. Stick around to learn more about how to get blood out of a mattress with tips from our mattress cleaning specialists.

Pre-Treatment: Do This First

The first step you need to do is to remove the bedding, preferably the pillows and other items on the mattress. That’ll give you better access to the mattress and stain. If the bedding has a stain, treat it immediately with oxygen bleach or an enzyme cleaner for about 15 minutes and throw it in the washing machine.

Blot the stained surface with a damp cloth dampened with cold water for the mattress. Hot water could potentially set the stain, making removing it more challenging.

Whatever you do, don’t rub the mattress. Otherwise, you’ll push the stain deeper into the mattress and prolong the cleaning process. After the stain area is saturated with water, dab it with a dry towel to remove the extra blood. Next, alternate between both blotting steps until the dry towel comes out clean. You’ll then be left with the stain to work with.

Learn more: How to Clean Urine from Mattress

Best Methods to Get Blood Out of a Mattress

After removing the excess blood, it’s time to move on to the stain-removal process. Fortunately, you can choose between several options, some of which use readily available items in your pantry.

1. Baking Soda

The baking soda method is a classic, tried-and-true method. It effectively removes the stain and any lingering odour.

  1. Dust a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain.
  2. Spray vinegar onto it. A bubbling reaction should happen that’ll penetrate through the stain.
  3. Leave it for 30 minutes.
  4. Use a clean cloth to remove the residue.
  5. Blot the region with a cold, damp rag until the stain is gone.

Learn more: How to Clean Memory Foam Mattress

2. Lemon Juice

Another natural solution is lemon juice. The citric and acidic solution can break down the blood stain and prevent permanent damage to your delicate mattress fabric.

  1. Spray lemon juice on the stain until saturated.
  2. Grab a cold, damp sponge and dab it on the stain.
  3. Clean the sponge from excess blood so it doesn’t return to the mattress.
  4. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Learn More: How to Clean Mattress with Baking Soda

3. Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. Once exposed to water, the compound releases oxygen and lifts the blood stain. To use this method:

  1. Mix half a cup of oxygen bleach and water in a bowl.
  2. Use a soft-bristled nylon brush to apply the paste onto the stained area.
  3. Leave it for two hours or more.
  4. Grab a damp cloth with a water bowl and wipe off the excess until the stain is removed.
  5. Let it air dry for eight hours.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Most stain removal recipes contain hydrogen peroxide as the main ingredient. It’s a highly reliable agent against tough stains. Nonetheless, one significant con of using a strong cleaning agent is that it can discolour your mattress. Here are some steps to use it for your blood-stained mattress.

Step 1: Prepare Items

For this method, you’ll need the following items:

  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Bowl
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Safety gloves
  • Fan
  • Microfibre cloth

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Mix about half a cup of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a bowl. You should have a paste-like consistency.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Using a soft-bristled brush or toothpaste, scoop up the cleaning paste. Then, gently scrub it over the stain. Start from the edges and make your way to the centre. The mixture will likely fizzle from the reaction of blood and hydrogen peroxide. After scrubbing, let it bubble for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Blot the Residue

Grab a microfibre towel, soak it in cold water, and wring it out. Use it to blot away the excess paste from the stain area.

Step 5: Let It Dry

Lastly, allow the stain to air dry for at least eight hours. You can use a vacuum to suck out any remaining baking soda from the region.

5. Meat Tenderizer

You might be short on baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other cleaning solutions. In this case, you can reach for the meat tenderizer. Make sure it contains bromelain and is unseasoned.

This kitchen ingredient can break down tough meat fibres, proving effective on blood stains. Best of all, it can also work on stubborn, old bloodstains. Here’s how to apply this unconventional method.

  1. Mix one tablespoon of meat tenderizer with two teaspoons of cold water.
  2. Place the mixture over the bloodstain and allow it to sit for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on its severity.
  3. Use a dry towel to wipe off the excess residue.
  4. Grab a bowl of cool water and a sponge.
  5. Dab the region with a dampened sponge.
  6. Allow it to air dry with a circular fan.

6. Enzyme-Based Stain Remover

An enzyme-based cleaner works by breaking down organic molecules and minimising odour. You’ll want to use this method, especially for dried blood stains on your mattress. Here’s how to do it.

  1. Apply a couple of drops of the enzyme-based stain remover on a microfibre cloth.
  2. Rub the cloth along the edges of the stain and work your way to the stain’s centre.
  3. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
  4. Dab away the enzyme-stain remover and the stain using a damp microfibre towel.
  5. Rinse the towel often so the blood stains don’t return to the mattress.
  6. Leave the region to air dry for up to eight hours.

Final Thoughts

How do you get blood out of a mattress? In short, all it takes is a microfibre towel, an effective cleaning agent, cold water, and some elbow grease. Treating a fresh stain will be much easier than letting it settle and dry. So, you’ll need to work quickly and choose a method within your reach.