Were you scratching bug bites in your sleep? Did you go to bed with a small cut you didn’t notice? Or maybe you woke up to some period stains on your bedsheets.
Whatever the cause, you’ll need to get those blood stains out of your mattress ASAP. Fresh stains are easier to deal with — sometimes you just need plain cold water or some salt.
For older stains, you’ll need a tougher solution like hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme cleaner.
Don’t stress over your mattress mess! We’ve rounded up some of the top ways to remove blood stains from a mattress.
Removing Fresh Stains | Removing Dried Stains | Tips for Keeping Your Mattress Clean
Before You Remove Blood Stains: Cleaning Tips
Whether you’re tackling a fresh or dried blood stain, always use cold water. Heat can “cook” proteins in blood and cause the stain to set, making it more difficult to remove.
Be sure to blot stains, not rub — rubbing or scrubbing could push the stain deeper into the mattress or smudge it over a larger area.
Tackle the stain immediately if you can! Fresh blood stains are easier to get out than dried ones, and prompt cleaning can prevent mould or bacteria growth.
Check the care label of your mattress for any specific cleaning instructions or products to avoid. If you’re unsure, test your chosen cleaning agent on an inconspicuous spot first.
Start by stripping the bed, from the linens to the pillows. Before getting the blood out of your sheets, you can soak them in cold salt water to prevent the stain from setting.
If you have an all-over mattress cover that isn’t waterproof, check the care label to see if it’s removable. Make sure you wash the mattress cover as well.
Use paper towels to absorb excess blood. For period stains, you may have to remove some blood solids from the sheets and mattress.
For foam mattresses (especially memory foam), use as little moisture as possible. Foam absorbs liquids easily, and trapped moisture can lead to mould or mildew.
If you don’t plan to wash your mattress immediately, be sure to let it air dry completely before replacing the sheets.
How to Remove Fresh Blood Stains From a Mattress
No matter the cause — period blood, nosebleeds, or accidental scratches — you can tackle new blood stains with one of these methods.
After removing the stain, deep clean your mattress as soon as you can.
Cold water
For very fresh blood stains (think just a few minutes), plain cold water could do the trick!
Dampen a soft cloth with cold water and use it to start blotting the stain. The water should dilute the stain and keep it moist, while the cloth will absorb the blood.
Rinse the cloth frequently or reposition it so you’re dabbing the stain with a clean patch of fabric.
You can add a few drops of mild detergent directly to the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes. Resume dabbing with the damp cloth until the stain has lifted.
Allow the mattress to air dry fully.
TIP: After blotting the blood stain, you can apply a thick paste of water and baking soda to absorb any remaining moisture and neutralise odours. Wait for it to fully dry then wipe off the residue.
Salt
Salt is great for stain removal since it has dehydrating properties — and you’ll likely have lots of it on hand.
Use a soft cloth dipped in cold water to dampen the blood stain. Sprinkle a layer of salt (kosher salt is best) all over the stain, then wait 30–60 minutes.
Vacuum up the salt and dab the spot with a dry towel to absorb any lingering moisture.
Alternatively, make a homemade saline solution by mixing 2–3 tbsp of salt and 1 cup of cold water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the stained area and let the solution sit for up to 15 minutes.
Use a dry towel to blot the stain, and repeat until the blood is removed. Let the mattress air dry completely.
NOTE: If you’re in a pinch, contact lens solution contains saline! Apply a small amount to fresh stains and wait 10–15 minutes, then dab the spot with a dry towel.
Lemon juice
The citric acid in lemon juice makes it a natural stain remover! Just avoid using it on dark-coloured mattresses since it has a mild bleaching effect.
Blot the blood stain on the mattress with a clean cloth dipped in cold water. Soak a soft sponge in some lemon juice, then use it to dab the stained area.
When the sponge has absorbed too much blood, rinse it in fresh water and reapply the lemon juice. Keep going until the stain has lifted.
Remove any excess moisture with a clean cloth then leave the mattress to air dry.
White vinegar
Yes, vinegar can remove blood stains from your mattress! It’s an inexpensive alternative to lemon juice, but you’ll need to tackle the lingering vinegar scent.
Use a damp cloth to dilute and absorb some of the fresh blood. In a bowl, mix equal parts white vinegar and cold water.
Dip a soft cloth in the solution then wring it out. Carefully dab the stained area of the mattress, working from the outside of the stain to the middle.
If the cloth gets too messy, rinse it with clean water and dampen it with the vinegar solution again. Keep going until you’ve removed as much blood as possible.
Place the mattress in a well-ventilated space to air out and allow the vinegar scent to dissipate. You can speed things up with some Febreze.
Some popular online advice is to sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda onto the mattress to neutralise any remaining odours. This does work, but clean-up may be tricky!
Baking soda can be harmful to vacuums, especially bagless ones. The fine particles can clog the filter and get into the motor.
You can vacuum up a small amount of baking soda if you have a machine with a HEPA filter or a bag. Be sure to change the bag and clean the vacuum afterwards, including the space around the motor.
If you’re unsure or don’t want to risk your vacuum, skip the baking soda entirely.
How Do You Get Dried Blood Out of a Mattress?
It’s harder to remove old or dried blood stains from your mattress, but not impossible!
However, you’ll need stronger cleaning solutions to break down the dried stains and “lift” the blood out.
These methods will also be your best bet to get period blood out of a mattress, especially if the stain has been sitting overnight.
Unseasoned meat tenderizer
It sounds weird, but meat tenderizer powder contains enzymes that break down proteins. It works well on old blood stains on a mattress, though you can also use it on a fresh stain.
Mix a few tablespoons of unseasoned meat tenderizer with a little water to make a stain-removing paste — emphasis on unseasoned!
Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to apply the paste to the blood stain. Let the paste sit for 30–60 minutes (or overnight for very old stains).
Wipe it off with a damp cloth, then dab the mattress dry with a clean cloth. Quickly vacuum the surface to remove any remaining powder.
Hydrogen peroxide
There’s a lot you can clean with 3% hydrogen peroxide — and yes, that includes blood stains on a mattress!
This method works for most types of mattresses, but avoid using it on a foam mattress unless nothing else works. Peroxide can degrade foam and compromise the mattress structure.
Even on a non-foam mattress, be mindful since hydrogen peroxide can discolour the surface.
Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the old blood stain. Separately, mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of detergent in a spray bottle.
Spritz the stained area with the hydrogen peroxide mix (be mindful of the bubbling reaction!). When the fizzing stops, gently scrub the mattress stain with a soft toothbrush until it lightens.
Let the solution sit for an additional 5–10 minutes, then wipe off the residue with a damp cloth. Pat the mattress dry with a clean towel.
Alternatively, use a soft sponge to apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the old stain. Keep dabbing the mattress until the stain is gone, then leave it to dry.
OxiClean
OxiClean is highly effective for organic, oxidisable mattress stains like blood. This method uses OxiClean stain remover powders, but the MaxForce Stick is also an option.
Start by dampening the old blood stain with cool water. Make a thin paste with any OxiClean stain remover powder and apply it to the stain with a damp sponge.
Lightly scrub the dried stain using an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush. Then leave the paste to sit for a few hours before wiping off the residue with a damp cloth.
Blot away excess moisture with a clean towel and let the mattress air dry.
Enzyme cleaner
An enzyme-based stain remover is one of the most effective methods for blood stain removal. The compounds break down the blood and “lift” it from the mattress.
Look for enzymatic stain removers that are compatible with your mattress material. Follow the product instructions and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands while cleaning.
Allow your mattress to air dry for at least 8 hours before replacing the sheets.
Tips for Keeping Your Mattress Clean
Consider using a waterproof mattress protector to prevent blood and other stains from getting to your mattress! That way, you’ll only need to wash the mattress protector and bedsheets.
Alternatively, use a waterproof plastic insert or several old towels when someone is sick, injured, or on their period.
For people prone to nosebleeds, consult a physician about ways to minimise the risk of bleeding!
Treat any and all mattress stains ASAP, whether it’s some spilled nighttime tea or a pet’s accident. If a stain sets into the mattress, it’s harder to remove.
Air out your mattress every time you change your bedsheets! That not only keeps it fresh, but it lets you check for visible stains and signs of wear.
