Removing blood from carpets is easy, if done immediately after accidents occur. However, the cleaning process may have to be repeated several times, using the same or a different cleaning solution.

Stain Removal Solutions

The following homemade solutions work very well for blood stains. Whether using a commercial or homemade product, be sure to pre-test for colorfastness in an obscure area of the carpet first. For the homemade cleaners, it's best to try them in a particular order.

Homemade Solutions

Here is a list of homemade solutions that work effectively on blood stains, given in the order they should be tried. All these solutions may be applied with a clean, white cloth or a spray bottle, and should be blotted with clean, absorbent white towels or paper towels. If you use the ammonia solution, follow it up with the vinegar mixture to neutralize the ammonia.

Club soda: One can

Detergent solution: Mix one pint to one quart of cold water with one teaspoon to one tablespoon of clear liquid hand dishwashing detergent (without lanolin, bleach, or hand lotions added)

Ammonia solution: combine 1-3 tablespoons of clear household ammonia with 1-2 cups of cold water (use extreme caution with this bleaching solution)

Vinegar solution: Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to one cup cold water.

Hydrogen peroxide solution: Combine 1 tablespoon of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 3 tablespoons of cold water (use extreme caution with this bleaching solution)

Basic Stain Removal Process

Whether using commercial stain removers or homemade solutions, the basic process is the same.

1. If the stain is wet, place an absorbent type material, such as kitty litter or sand, around the perimeters.
   
   
2. Blot up as much of the stain as possible.
   
   
3. Apply first cleaning solution, and let it stand for at least 5-30 minutes, checking periodically for bleaching affects and fiber damage.
   
   
4. Repeat blotting procedures or use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner or a hot water extractor to remove excess moisture and contaminants.
   
   
5. Thoroughly rinse the area with cold water.
   
   
6. Repeat blotting or excess moisture extraction.
   
   
7. Thoroughly dry the area with a fan.
   
   
8. Vacuum with a dry vacuum cleaner to reset carpet pile

More Carpet Cleaning Tips

Avoid over-wetting the area when applying solutions and during rinsing. Always work from the edges of the stain towards the center.