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Removing blood stains
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Removing blood stains
Blood stains often appear faster than you think. A small cut, a nosebleed, a graze in children or an accident while shaving, and suddenly there is blood on your sofa, rug or floor. The annoying thing is that blood not only stains red, but can also quickly become ‘stuck’ when it dries. Afterwards, you will often see a brown or rusty shadow that is more difficult to remove than the fresh stain.
When it comes to blood, it is important to act quickly, but above all to take the right approach. Heat or vigorous rubbing can actually cause the stain to adhere more deeply and become larger. Fortunately, in many cases, blood can be easily removed if you approach it calmly and intelligently. Below, you can first read about what makes blood stains so stubborn and what you need to pay attention to for each surface. Below you will find James’ advice for each type of surface.
The same advice applies to these stains: Blood, Semen
Characteristics (anatomy) of a grease stain
Blood contains proteins and pigments that adhere to fibres and pores. When blood dries, it coagulates and forms a kind of ‘crust’ that sticks to the material. This often causes the colour to change from red to dark brown or rust-coloured. In textiles, blood seeps between the fibres and can sink deeper than you can see on the surface, especially in carpets and upholstery fabrics. On hard floors, blood usually remains on the top layer, but can remain in the structure, edges and seams. Heat can cause proteins to adhere more quickly, which can make the stain harder and more visible for longer.
Blood stains in carpets and rugs
Carpets and rugs are susceptible to blood because the moisture quickly sinks between the fibres. As a result, the stain at the top sometimes appears smaller than what has actually been drawn into the pool. With deep-pile carpets, blood can sink deeper, causing a larger stain to appear later, even if you have absorbed a lot at first. Blood is quickly visible as red on light-coloured carpets, but after drying it often turns brown and sometimes becomes even more noticeable.
What makes blood particularly tricky is the clotting process. Once it dries, it can form a stiff layer that causes fibres to stick together. This makes the carpet feel harder in that spot and may cause the pile to look different. A rim may also form because the moisture is drawn out during drying, resulting in a circle with a darker rim. Older stains often have a rusty haze that cannot be removed with a normal damp treatment.
When cleaning carpets and rugs, it is important to remember that rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fibres and can damage the pile. Too much moisture can also cause the blood to sink further into the carpet and increase the risk of a larger stain. In addition, heat is a pitfall: warm water or a hair dryer can cause the proteins to adhere more quickly, making the stain more stubborn. With blood, you can only see whether a brown shadow remains after it has dried completely.
Treat with James Stainwonder
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. All you need is a bottle of James Stainwonder!
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be visible immediately.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases, James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If a (slight) discolouration did occur, you should neutralise James Stainwonder as soon as the stain has disappeared. In this case, immediately place a damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
Immediate treatment with water
This stain can be treated immediately with water. For this you need a white, cotton cloth and water. Follow the steps below:
- First remove, as far as possible, any loose substances using a spoon.
- Immediately hold a white cotton cloth under the cold tap, wring it out and place it flat on the stain.
- Leave the cotton cloth in place to dry completely, no peeking. Should the cloth become saturated, replace it with a fresh one as described above. Then leave the cloth until it is completely dry.
Note: Do not perform the above instructions if water causes aspect loss or discoloration on the material to be treated.
Blood stains on hard floors
On hard floors such as PVC, vinyl, LVT, laminate and natural stone, blood usually remains on the top layer. This often allows you to absorb a lot quickly, but there are pitfalls here too. Blood can remain in the structure, small scratches and along edges, causing a dark edge or haze to appear after drying. On matt floors, this can be particularly noticeable in raking light, because a thin layer causes the floor to reflect differently.
With laminate and click flooring, the risk often lies in the seams. When blood seeps into a seam, a dark edge may remain visible, which you will only notice once it has dried. With natural stone, there is an additional point to consider: some types are more porous, which means that blood can soak into the surface more quickly and remain visible for longer as discolouration. Dried blood can also form a scab that sticks to the top layer, making the stain appear harder than you might expect at first.
When cleaning hard floors, it is important not to spread the dirt around and not to use abrasive methods as soon as scabs appear. Sanding can damage the top layer, leaving the difference in shine visible even after the blood has been removed. It is also important that edges and seams do not remain damp for long periods of time, as food residues can accumulate there. Blood may sometimes appear to have disappeared when the floor is wet, but it will become visible again once it is dry.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover.
Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treat using a moist cotton cloth
This stain can be treated immediately with water. Use clean water and preferably a white, cotton cloth.
Blood stains in upholstery fabric
Furniture fabric is particularly sensitive to blood because it quickly soaks into the fibres and spreads easily throughout the fabric layer. This not only leaves a stain, but often also a rim or circle that is larger than the original spot. On light fabrics, you will first see a red stain, but after drying, this often turns into a brown shadow. On dark fabrics, it is sometimes less noticeable as a colour, but rather as a dull spot or an area where the fabric shines differently.
If blood gets into the filling, the stain may reappear later. You notice this especially when the furniture gets warm or when you sit on it. Then it looks as if the stain is coming back, when in fact there are still residues deeper in the fabric. In addition, dried blood can make the fabric stiffer, making the spot not only visible but also feel different. With textured fabrics, the stain can remain between the fibres and therefore remain visible for longer.
When dealing with upholstery fabric, it is important to note that friction can make the stain larger and alter the fabric structure. Too much moisture around the area may also remain visible later as a ring, even if the colour appears to have faded. Heat is also a risk here, as it can cause the blood to clot more quickly. As with carpet, the same applies to blood: you can only assess the result fairly once the fabric is completely dry.
Treat with James Stainwonder (*furniture fabrics)
This stain can be treated with James Stainwonder. Always test for colour fastness and material perpetuation in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry and evaluate.
- Allow the surface to dry completely.
- Apply James Stainwonder to the dry stain by turning the bottle upside down, placing the opening of the bottle on the stain and treating the entire stain. Spread a little James Stainwonder on a clean, dry cotton cloth towel and use it to cover the stain. This is to prevent circles from appearing after drying.
- The product works for 12 hours, so the effect does not have to be immediate. Do not remove the cotton cloth until it is dry to see the result.*
- Is the stain not completely gone after treatment, but it has improved? You may repeat the treatment.
* With wool: in the vast majority of cases James Stainwonder does not cause any discolouration. You have already established this by testing the product in an inconspicuous area as described above. In that case, you do not need to carry out the following step. If there is a (slight) discolouration, neutralise James Stainwonder with water as soon as the stain has disappeared (to do this, however, lift the cotton cloth in between to be able to assess whether the stain has already disappeared). In this case, immediately place another damp cotton cloth on the spot where the stain was and let it dry.
Immediate treatment with water
This stain can be treated immediately with water. For this you need a white, cotton cloth and water. Follow the steps below:
- First remove, as far as possible, any loose substances using a spoon.
- Immediately hold a white cotton cloth under the cold tap, wring it out and place it flat on the stain.
- Leave the cotton cloth in place to dry completely, no peeking. Should the cloth become saturated, replace it with a fresh one as described above. Then leave the cloth until it is completely dry.
Note: Do not perform the above instructions if water causes aspect loss or discoloration on the material to be treated.
Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories going around about how to remove these blood stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Should you always treat blood with cold water?
Cold or lukewarm water is usually a safe choice because heat can cause proteins to bind more quickly. This can actually cause hot water to ‘set’ the stain, especially in textiles. That doesn't mean that cold water always solves everything, but it does help to prevent the stain from becoming more stubborn. When it comes to blood, it is often a matter of absorbing as much as possible first and only then proceeding further. The biggest mistake is working too hard and thereby inadvertently making the problem worse.
Does salt help with blood stains?
Salt is often mentioned as an emergency solution, mainly because it can absorb moisture. It can indeed help to reduce a wet stain, but it does not remove the dyes and proteins from the fibres. In addition, salt crystals can remain in the carpet and make the pile rough if they are not properly removed. Therefore, consider salt as a temporary measure at most when you have no other option, not as a complete solution.
Why does a bloodstain turn brown instead of red?
Blood changes during drying. It solidifies, oxidises and the colour changes to dark brown or rust-coloured. That is why a spot that was initially bright red suddenly looks like a brown shadow later on. Residual substances can also adhere to fibres, making the area feel stiff and reflect light slightly differently. This is why older bloodstains often appear to have “shrunk”, when in fact they are partly dried-up residues.
Is a steam cleaner useful for blood?
Not usually. Steam means heat, and heat can make blood clot faster. In addition, you will make the surface very damp, which may cause the stain to spread into the carpet or upholstery. On hard floors, steam can seep along seams and leave residue behind. With blood, it is important to control temperature and moisture so that you do not cause a larger circle or additional adhesion.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
Blood stains are troublesome because they adhere quickly and often leave a brown shadow after drying. By dabbing quickly, avoiding warm water and not making the stain bigger, you can prevent the blood from setting in the fibres or structure. With the right James approach for each surface, in most cases you can remove blood neatly and restore your interior to a fresh and even condition. If you are unsure about the fabric or substrate, please feel free to ask for personal advice so that you can make the right choice straight away.