How to Remove Blood Stains from Carpet?

Oh, Halloween. With anything from gum, candy, and chocolate to other "accidents" Halloween messes can be a nightmare to clean-up, especially on a beautiful white carpet. Whether you've thrown a Halloween party that has left behind so much fake blood that your neighbors are wondering where you hid the dead bodies, or there has been some actual unfortunate accident, this quick guide is here to help.

Fake Blood
Fake blood is made by combining corn syrup and dye, and it's the dye part that creates the stain. Since it's pigment based, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove it. The rubbing alcohol helps cut through the stickiness of the fake blood, making clean-up relatively easy.

If alcohol does not completely remove the stain, moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Let that sit for an hour, and repeat as often as necessary. Light causes a natural chemical reaction with peroxide, so you don't have to rinse. Once the stain is completely removed, use a towel or paper towel to ensure the area is dry.

Another method is to pour a small amount of club soda over the fake blood. Cover that with plenty of salt to absorb the stain. Wait one day, then vacuum!

Real Blood
If the blood stain you're trying to remove has dried, brush it with a steel brush to loosen up the stain. This will remove the surface deposit. Then, mix one teaspoon of household liquid dishwashing detergent (like Dawn) with two cups of cold water. Take a clean, white cloth and dip it in the cleaning solution. Blot this directly on the blood stain, repeatedly. Repeat these steps until the stain disappears.

If this process does not completely remove the blood stain from your carpet, try the following steps:

Mix one tablespoon of ammonia into one-half cup of warm water.
Using a sponge or cloth, apply this solution directly onto the blood stain.

Blot the stain with a dry cloth until the liquid is fully absorbed from the carpet.
Rinse by applying a sponge dipped in cold water directly to the stain, then blotting dry.

NOTE: Carpets and rugs with natural dyes or fibers often require special treatment. Remember always to read and follow the manufacturer's care instructions and any warnings the manufacturer provides Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove fake (or real) blood stains, as it destroys the texture of the carpet.

For more carpet cleaning tips and services, contact the professionals at Gator Clean.