How To Get Blood Out Of A Mattress

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, it’s likely that you’re currently freaking out about a red stain that has found its way onto your mattress. No matter where it came from, a blood stain can be scary, especially if you have no idea how to even begin cleaning it. 

If you’re wondering how to get blood out of a mattress, look no further. In this article, I’ll cover how to prep your mattress for stain removal, how small and big stains are treated, the difference between fresh and dry blood stains, and some additional tips for treating blood stains and preventing them from happening again.

Prepare To Treat The Stain

Before you attempt to get blood out of your mattress, it’s important that you are aware of some of the basics. Following these tips will help the cleaning process be as effective as possible.

• Remove all bedding: Remove the sheets and blankets from the mattress. We’ll cover how to clean those later in the article. Some mattresses have a washable cover that can be removed, so you can remove that too and treat it separately if this applies.
• Don’t rub the stain: Rubbing the stain won’t help get it out — it will only spread the blood to clean areas of the mattress. The best method is dabbing the stain. Patience is key here.
• Use cold water: Never use hot water on a blood stain. Hot water can cook the blood stain and cause it to be permanently set. Cold water works best to dissolve the blood. 

Supplies You May Need

I’ll go over a few different cleaning methods to clean a variety of blood stain types. You may not use all of these products, but these are the main ones:

• Cold water
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Hydrogen peroxide
• White vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Powdered meat tenderizer (unseasoned)
• Enzyme cleaner
• Ammonia

Removing Fresh Vs Dried Blood

Sometimes you can treat the stain while it’s still fresh. But, life happens, and sometimes you can’t get to it until after it has already dried. The way you treat stains differs depending on how fresh the stain is, so here’s a quick breakdown to cleaning both.

Fresh Blood Stains

Always try to treat a blood stain before it dries. The fresher the stain is, the more likely you’ll be able to remove it before it sets. As we mentioned before, cold water helps dissolve blood, so this should be your first step. 

Dampen a rag in cold water and dab the stain. Repeat until no more blood absorbs onto the rag. The stain likely won’t be gone completely, but this step can help remove excess blood from the mattress. Make sure the rag is only damp and not dripping — you don’t want to soak your mattress, which may cause mold growth.

Next, sprinkle baking soda onto the stain so it’s completely covered. Allow this to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. You may see bubbles appear. This is just the baking soda absorbing moisture from the stain.

Next, spray the baking soda with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and cold water (equal parts vinegar and water no matter how much of the mixture you make). Once it’s completely dry, you can vacuum the remaining powder and dab away any excess with a damp cloth. This process can be repeated multiple times if the stain is not completely gone.

Dried Blood Stains

Dried blood stains are a bit more challenging to remove. Once the blood dries, it sets into the mattress. But, these stains are not impossible to remove. There are a couple different methods you can try on dried blood stains.

The cornstarch method: 

1. Start by creating a paste from ½ cup cornstarch, ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, and a tablespoon of salt. The paste should be thick like toothpaste and not liquidy. 
2. Spray the stain with cold water to rehydrate the blood and apply a layer of the paste to it. 
3. Wait about 30 minutes, or until the hydrogen peroxide starts bubbling. 
4. Remove the stain and the paste with a damp cloth. 
5. Again, you can repeat this process as many times as necessary.

The meat tenderizer method: Yes, the meat tenderizer in your pantry can be used to treat dried blood stains. Meat tenderizing powder has bromelain and papain, which are natural enzymes that break down the proteins found in blood. Make a paste with a tablespoon of unseasoned meat tenderizer and two teaspoons of water and spread it on the stain. Wait about an hour for it to completely dry, and then dab the paste away with a damp cloth.

How To Get Period Blood Out Of Mattress

Period blood stains are the most common type of mattress stain, but it can be tricky to remove sometimes. The natural solutions mentioned earlier may not be strong enough for these stains. Period blood stains are often very large, and it may be best to resort to more heavy-duty products since it’s more than just a few drops. It’s best to look for cleaning products that are enzyme-based to promote the breakdown of proteins in the blood. When buying a store bought cleaner, look for one that is specific to fabric, upholstery, or mattresses to ensure it’s safe for the mattress.

How To Get Blood Out Of A Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are a favorite for many sleepers, but they unfortunately make stain removal more complicated. The texture of memory foam is extremely porous, so it’s more prone to absorbing both blood and water, which can cause mold and bacteria to grow. When cleaning these mattresses, it’s important to make sure that the mattress dries completely. You can use a fan or a hair dryer to help with this process — but be sure to use the hair dryer on a “cool” setting, as heat can warp memory foam.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on these mattresses. It’s an oxidizing agent with bleaching properties, so it’s likely to disfigure the memory foam or damage the mattress’s fabric. It’s also best to avoid using cornstarch, too, as this ingredient can absorb into the memory foam and alter its firmness. The best cleaner to use on memory foam mattresses is an enzyme-based cleaner or a cleaner containing ammonia.

How To Remove Blood From Mattress Accessories

If the blood managed to soak into your mattress, it probably got on your other bedding, too. Here’s a quick guide to cleaning the bedding items that are most prone to blood stains.

Sheets

It’s hard to get blood on your mattress without also getting blood on your sheets. Luckily, it’s easier to clean sheets. Start by blotting the stain with a dry cloth to absorb as much blood as possible. Then, soak the sheets in cold water for as long as possible — overnight is recommended. 

Now, you can either use a normal stain remover that you may use on clothing, or you can make your own out of hydrogen peroxide and water. Let your cleaning solution soak for 24 hours. At this point, the stain should be mostly removed. You can now wash the sheets as normal but refrain from using heat to dry them.

Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is basically like a mini mattress, so you can use any of the cleaning methods mentioned in this article. Just like a mattress, don’t let the mattress topper get too wet with a cleaning solution to avoid mold developing in the foam layers. Start with the baking soda and vinegar solution, which is the most gentle. 

Some mattress toppers are machine washable, but always check the label before throwing them in the washer. Others may have a removable cover, which can be machine washed separately.

How To Prevent Mattress Stains

A stained mattress can be inconvenient — just one more thing to deal with in your already busy life. However, there are steps you can take to decrease the chances of a stain occurring.

• Use a mattress protector: Investing in a quality mattress protector can save your mattress from future stains. A waterproof mattress protector is even better for protecting your mattress from liquids and spills. Check out our best mattress protectors roundup for some great options.
• Removable cover: Some mattresses come with removable covers that are machine washable. Simply remove the cover and clean it separately. If you’re prone to stains or have a heavy menstrual cycle, it may be worth it to purchase a mattress with a removable cover for easy cleaning.

Conclusion

Blood stains can look scary, but they’re nothing to fear. Although they can sometimes be stubborn stains, you should be able to effectively remove blood stains if you act quickly and use the proper cleaning methods. For more tips on how to clean a mattress, check out our complete guide.

Riley Otis

Riley is an editorial intern at Sleepopolis. She's a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Riley is a student at Elon University and currently working towards a degree in journalism and creative writing. In her free time, she loves to paint, cook, and spend time with family (especially her pets).