Help removing a dried on blood stain

Paulie'sGirl

Hi all,

I'm in need of some help :rolleyes:

Earlier this evening, I ripped my elbow to shreds (ok, hyperbole, but it feels like it!) on the spikes on the zip of my sofa cushion covers. I didn't realise this, and bled kinda profusely over the dry-clean only, champagne coloured :eek: shot silk (from Matalan, not that expensive, but still....)

Does anyone know, how I can get blood out of such pale silk? Or do I need to have them drycleaned?

Thanks in advance!

PGxx

A_fiend_for_life

Oh no 6 hours for first response you've probably sorted it by now!!

Probably dried by now so as well to wait for other responses first.

Fresh blood - blood is very slightly salty. Water alone makes the red blood cells burst (haemolysis) releasing the pigment, haemoglobulin (which might stain more), so perhaps slightly salty water would be sufficient. Dab rather than wiping though to avoid spreading the blood.

Unless someone else says differently I would try with slightly salted water for dried blood too.

All the best!!

tim_n

must be cold water - hot water sets blood!

Chris25

I would have thought that salty water would have set the stain but I might be wrong. I usually try cold water but as AFFL say, the blood will have dried by now.

I also use ACE bleach (if you've not heard of it, it's not a chlorine bleach) for blood stains, it fizzes up over the stain. I've just looked at the bottle and I can't see silk mentioned but it's supposed to be gentle on fabrics and it does have the Woolmark; might be worth a try if nothing else shifts it.

I would then try a gentle cool wash in something like Woolite or soap flakes. I know the label says dry-clean only but I usually do my sofa covers and silk scarves this way and they've been fine but this is only a recommendation.

there's some interesting info on here http://www.srfabrics.com/care/stain.htm *** Don't use ammonia on silk!

***just had a look at the washing instrustions on a (washable) silk dress and it says handwash separately on a cool wash - do not use fabric softener***

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

it's salty cold water for blood.

Jem8472

Not sure for when it dries but the person spit gets blood out of cloth. A tip from people that do needle work.

booklover

Hello everyone

My mother was ill and was bleeding ; so what is the best way to get rid of these rather large blood stains please.


Many thanks in advance

Fiona


Ps. Washing in a normal wash doesn't usually work..

Pink.

Hi booklover,

Don't wash it in hot water as it seems to fix the stain. What I normally do is rinse the fabric under a cold tap, rubbing the stain to get as much of the blood out as possible, then leave it to soak in cold water with some salt added and then wash as normal.

There's an earlier thread with more ideas so I've added your post to it. These threads may help too:

Help-I need to remove blood stains from my mattress

Blood stained carpet !!!!!!!!!!!

Pink

booklover

Hi pinkwinged thanks so much for that great advice. :T :T

You are brilliant. :A :A


Fiona


Ps. Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the beautiful weather here.

northwest1965

Ant tips for removing a dried on blood stain?