How To Get Blood Stain Out Of Mattress

Have you been dealing with a stubborn blood stain on your mattress? That bright red spot, or dark brown when dried, can really diminish the appeal of bed. It looks dirty, regardless of the cause. So, it’s important to clean and remove it as soon as you see it.

Here, you’ll read about how to get blood stain out of mattress easily. We’ll share with you four simple methods to achieve this. All you’ll need are materials and ingredients found in your cupboard. To preserve your mattress, you have to treat the stains immediately. Just follow the steps in the sections: “How to Get Blood Stain Out of Mattress” and “How to Remove Dried Blood Stains From A Mattress.”

In this article, you will also learn the types of bloodstains and how to protect your mattress. Go over the Table of Contents to reach the section that is most relevant to your situation.

Types of Blood Stains

Period Stains

One of the most common sources of blood stain is a woman’s period. If you or a partner menstruates, usually every 4 to 5 weeks, you probably have dealt with period stains before. This can range from tiny to map-like spots. They appear on sheets but can also penetrate down to the top layers of the mattress.

Using overnight pads can prevent transferring blood onto the sheets. Changing your menstrual cup or tampon can also keep the bed clean. However, some sleepers are more prone to staining because of their habits, such as frequent shifting in their sleep. 

Wound Stains

Bleeding can occur if you cut yourself by accident or are injured. Sitting on or sleeping in a bed without appropriately dressing the wound can cause the blood to transfer onto your sheets. The stain can range from small to large. Skin allergies and diseases like diabetes can sometimes lead to open wounds. If you’re bleeding profusely, it’s better to apply first aid and then have it treated in the hospital.

Replace the sheets while the blood stain is still fresh. Or you can apply any of the spot-treatment methods shared in the upcoming sections. Don’t wait for it to dry up.

Cough or Vomit Stains

This kind of stain is not as common as the first two. It can happen by accident. More often, you’re probably able to rush to the sink or toilet when you’re feeling the urge to cough up phlegm.

If you are coughing up blood, it’s time to get yourself checked. However, you should not be anxious when you discover blood in your cough. Just because you’re spitting bright red blood or bloody phlegm doesn’t mean you have a disease that is not treatable. Sometimes, it can be the result of too much coughing. Your throat may have been scratched that it started bleeding.

Seeing your doctor is your best chance at understanding what’s going on.

Pet Blood Stains

Bleeding in pets can be severe. Sometimes it will only be noticeable if it leaves signs in visible areas, like your sleeping surface. If your pet snoozes with you in bed and there’s blood when you wake up, check if you’re bleeding. If not, then see if it’s your pet who’s hurt. They may have had a bleeding nose, a broken tooth, or a body wound.

The source may be a simple scratch, a trauma, or an infection. Pets that have ingested rat poison may suffer from external bleeding days after the first contact. Take your pet to the vet immediately, and deal with the stain later.

Maternity Stains

During pregnancy, some women may experience spotting. This is normal. It is also light, unlike the bleeding that occurs during a woman’s period. However, it can still transfer blood onto the sheets and the mattress. Dealing with it while it’s fresh may be ideal. Since the stains are scattered and small, it will be easy to spot-treat them with a homemade solution. You can also wash the sheets right away.

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, it is a symptom of something else, potentially a miscarriage. Go to the hospital immediately and take care of the stain later.

How to Get Blood Stain Out of Mattress

Pre-Treatment

Before you spot-treat or clean your mattress, take off the sheets. Of course, the bedsheet is bloodstained, too. Throw it together with the blanket, pillowcases, etc. in the washer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s better to clean everything and replace it with a new set. If your mattress has a zip-off cover, wash it separately or with the others.

But before putting the stained sheets and mattress cover in the washing machine, remove the fresh or dried blood from their fabric. This will ensure the spots are eliminated. Sometimes, the detergent and wash cycle are not enough for the job.

Cleaning the Stain

Cold Water

During pre-treatment, you can opt to soak the sheets in cold water. While you’re waiting, you can dab a clean cloth that has been soaked in cold water on your mattress. Make sure to squeeze the excess water out of the cloth before applying it on the bed surface. You can then dab or press it on the stained areas. Do this until the stains dissolve.

On it’s own, cold water can dissolve stains. Do not use hot water as it can cook the stains instead, leaving them dry and even more difficult to remove.

Baking Soda

One of the trusty household items, baking soda can help eliminate blood stains from your mattress. All you need is two parts cold water to mix one part baking soda in. Stir until you get a consistent texture. Then, get a clean cloth and dip it into the mixture. Apply it damp on the stain, covering everything. Wait for around 30 minutes or until the mixture is dry.

Once it’s dry, vacuum up the debris. If there is still moisture on the surface, you can pat it dry with a clean towel before vacuuming up. Don’t use the mattress until it is completely dry. 

Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Corn Starch

Are you dealing with a map-like bloodstain? Or the kind that’s stubborn? You can combine the power of table salt and hydrogen peroxide in either situation. These two items can break down the blood proteins that cause stains. You can add corn starch to the solution to create a paste. The solid consistency of the paste is more manageable than letting hydrogen peroxide and salt soak the mattress.

You will need ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of salt, and ½ cup of corn starch.

Using a spoon or spatula, apply the paste onto the stained spot/s on the mattress. Let it sit for a few hours. Once dry, you can scrape and vacuum the area/s. Repeat the steps until the stains are entirely removed. Don’t’ leave the bed damp after cleaning. Moist in the foam layers can attract mold and mildew, which can then affect the structure of your sleeping space.

Meat Tenderizer

Meat tenderizer shares the same function as salt and hydrogen peroxide. It will break down the stain-causing proteins from the blood. So, if you have one in the cupboard, take it out to spot-clean your mattress.

Stir it into two teaspoons of cold water to create a paste. Rub the paste onto the blood stain and wait for around one hour. The mixture should be dry by then. If not, dab the moisture away with a clean towel. Vacuum up the remnants. 

You can also dip a cloth into cold water that contains mild soap. Use it to wash the area. Rinse with cold water. And then air-dry or sun-dry your mattress to ensure moisture is totally gone.

How to Remove Dried Blood Stains From A Mattress

Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Liquid Dish Soap

This mixture is similar to the one shared above. However, to deal with a dried stain, you’ll need ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Use a cloth to rub the solution on the stain. A white rag should do as this will prevent the color from transferring onto the mattress. Let it sit for some time until dry.

You can scrape the remnants off afterward. 

Vinegar

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When you need to eliminate a dry, stubborn blood stain, mix ¼ cup of vinegar with ¾ cup of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle. Then spray it on the stain. Wait for at least 30 minutes before dabbing the area dry with cloth. 

Vinegar acts as a bleach, which can be reinforced by baking soda (it can also get rid of the smell). You can rinse the vinegar solution if you don’t want the acidic scent to stay on your mattress. Additionally, you can dry your bed out in the sun. Consider it a deep cleaning if you’re using vinegar and baking soda.

Protecting Your Mattress

Drying It Completely

After spot-cleaning your mattress, make sure to take it outside to dry. You can leave it under the sun to allow air and heat to remove any moisture thoroughly. Lay it on a flat surface to encourage even drying and proper airflow. As moisture attracts mold and mildew, this process is crucial to your mattress’ health.

If it’s not possible to place it outside, try to use a dry vacuum, a blow dryer, or an electric fan to deal with the dampness. Before using any of these tools, though, make sure the manufacturer says it’s okay to do so. The material of the comfort layer may be sensitive to direct heat.

Using A Mattress Cover

A mattress cover is used to wrap the mattress completely. If you have a mattress pad, it can also be covered by this sleep accessory. It is often made of a zip-off fabric, which you can take off for cleaning or washing. The mattress cover is different from a bedsheet. The former is primarily used for mattress protection, while the latter includes aesthetic features.

You should not be thinking twice about buying a mattress cover. It’s relatively cheap. And once there, it serves as the second line of defense against bloodstains, next to the bedsheet.

Read: Do You Need A Mattress Pad or A Mattress Protector?

Using An Underbody Pad During Period

The underbody pad is a thin sheet of material placed under your lower body during on period days. It looks like the sheet used in cribs to absorb pee. It is, indeed, absorbent. But more importantly, it catches the blood that penetrates through your sanitary napkin and bedwear. It protects the bed sheet from being affected by the bleeding.

This accessory is helpful for women who tend to bleed excessively during their period. You can also lay it on top of your bed for your pet to sleep on. This can prevent other types of fluid, like pee, from transferring onto the sheets and mattress.

Using Zipping Sheets

Fitted sheets with zippers can protect your mattress better than fitted sheets without zippers. These tend to stay put, providing the first line of defense against blood stains. With non-zip-off fitted sheets, the cover may pop off and allow blood to drop directly on the mattress surface. This is something you don’t want to happen to your bed.

Cleaning Regularly

Set a regular schedule for cleaning your mattress. Washing your sheets may be done every other week. But when it comes to your bed, this may not be sustainable. Every three months sound about right, though. This way, it’s easier to remember when it’s time for you to clean. The changing of the seasons will be your reminder. So time it with the beginning of spring, summer, fall, and winter.

One benefit of consistent cleaning is that you get to see stains you might have missed earlier. These may prove harder to deal with, but at least you have spotted it sooner than later. This is only possible if you’re routinely checking every nook and cranny of your bed. Of course, don’t wait until your next cleanup to wash a fresh bloodstain.

Conclusion