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Removing blood stains from sweater

15 years ago

After my last treatment, the nurse got a few drops of blood on my cotton sweater while accessing my port. Later, my DD used a "Tide to go" stick on it and all that did was smear it. At home, I sprayed the stains with Oxy spray and let it set for awhile and threw it in the machine. When I took it out, the stains were a bit lighter, but still there. I didn't put it in the dryer, and was wondering if I now soak it in Oxy Clean or peroxide, will that remove the blood, or is my sweater ruined? I hope someone can help, as I love that sweater!

Featured Answer

lindac

15 years ago

Always soak blood stains in cold water....before soap or Tide or OXY anything else.
Soak the whole sweater in cold water now for at least 24 hours and see what's up....if it's still there then try an enzyme cleaner, like BIZ or a cleaner meant for pet and kid stains....there is one called "Pets 'n Kids" that is good. Then as a last resort soak the whole thing in OXY clean for 24 hours or more. But it will lighten the color of the sweater a bit.
Linda C

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Comments (7)

ilovetn
15 years ago
My DH has eczema and is always getting blood spots on the sheets. I have great luck with Spray 'n Wash Dual Power. It comes in the divided bottle. It usually takes care of all the blood stains. Good Luck
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Hydrogen peroxide for fresh stain as soon as possible. (Worked in a hospital for years and this was sometimes an issue.) Also for any hospital personel, peroxide works for betadine stains. Told this trick to a neurologist who was beyond peeved that his egyptian cotton tailor-made shirt got sprayed from betadine. I ran into him about three months later and he was ever so grateful..and nice to me ever since! LOL (I don't even want to think about how much that shirt cost.) Full strength drenching wet over the stain, and if you cannot wash it immediately, stick it in a plastic bag so it doesn't dry (but don't wait too long). Also stick a rag in the bag BEHIND the stain so that it doesn't bleed into the fabric that hasn't been stained. I also use Gain on colored fabrics, but I daresay anything that has enzymes should work on blood. And Tide with Bleach on whites. Spray and Wash if it's small area can work too. Whatever you do or try, the priority is to get it washed as soon as possible. And check the stain before sticking it into the dryer. If it's still there, try another product, but don't dry it if you can help it.
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If it is ballpoint ink, denatured alcohol will melt it but then you have to clean it off with a cleaning agent of some kind right away. I think I would try some cold water and a dab of soap on the spot. Even use a spot treatment. Or you can take it to the drycleaners.
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Try cold water and liquid hand soap. Wet the fabric, apply the soap (1 pump of soap will handle most small jobs), then rub the stained area of fabric together until the stain starts to fade. You may need to rinse and repeat the process again if it's a heavy stain. Then toss it in the wash as usual. If you want to pretreat any remaining stain (the washer will usually take care of it), I use Sparay & Wash stain stick (not the spray). If it still remains, try pretreating with Zout and wash on hottest setting possible--use the 'Sanitary' setting if you have a front load washer (if it doesn't get the stain out, nothing will). Good luck!
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Hydrogen peroxide works on fairly fresh stains but you still need to test on an inconspicuous area. DH has a beautiful white terry cloth robe that the kids gave him for father's day and he managed to get some blood on it. He used hydrogen peroxide which took out the blood stain but it also yellowed the robe. I've never had that happen before. The robe was 100% cotton and the label tag said not to use a chlorine bleach. I've had positive experiences with Clorox totally Spotless Feminine Stain Remover. I hate the name and wrote them a letter complaining about it but the product does work. According to the label it contains Hydrogen Peroxide, Nonionic Surfactant. I have no idea why it should work any better that plain hydrogen peroxide but it has even removed some older blood stains.
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groomingal
15 years ago
in the vets office we use hydrogen peroxide and we just treat it and wash later- stains come out just fine.
tishanyc
15 years ago
These things are unfortunate, but they do happen. While you do want to look nice going for your treatments...try this. Get a few cheap T-Shirts in colors that compliment you. Put the shirt on and with a marker, mark a circle around where your catheter or med-port is. Take the shirt off and cut out the circle (NEVER use a scissor near your catheter or med-port. When going for treatment where this shirt under your pretty sweaters or blouses. Remove your top for treatment, your body is covered, port is accessable, and if the T-shirt gets blood on it...well, no big deal. Be sure to tuck in the legs of your port before removing the T shirt. All best wishes for a speedy recovery.
good36
15 years ago
hydrogen peroxide works great.
jannie
15 years ago
Pour on hydrogen peroxide, rub it a bit but be gentle, then wash in cold water in the sink. Remove from rinse water, blot dry, then air dry. It works for me. I've had nosebleeds all my life,so I'm an expert at blood stains.
pinkcarnation
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry it has been awhile since I first posted this. I want to thank all of you for the wonderful hints and well wishes!

~Linda, I have always soaked blood-stained clothing
in cold water, and had no problems removing the stains. After trying the Tide stick though, that wasn't working for some reason.

~tishanyc, What an innovative idea! Actually, my med-port is surgically implanted, so I don't have to worry about damaging it! Thanks for the well wishes! I take it one day at a time and Thank God for all my Blessings!!

My DIL continued to soak my sweater and use the Oxy spray and was able to remove all the stains. I will certainly keep the other ideas in mind in future, as I am sure I will have this problem again.

Thanks again....you guys are awesome!!

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