Blood on your couch or favorite chair can be stressful, especially when you discover it after it has dried. The good news: most stains can be removed if you act smart, use the right products, and avoid common mistakes like using warm or hot water.
Below is a clear, step-by-step guide on how to remove dried blood stains from upholstery so your furniture looks and smells fresh again.
Understand the stain: fresh blood vs dried blood stains
Before you treat the stain, figure out if you are dealing with fresh blood stains or dried blood stains.
- Fresh blood is easier to handle. It is still sitting on top of the textile and fabric fibers.
- Dried blood has had time to bond to the upholstery fibers. A dried stain takes more patience, but many stains can be removed without damaging the fabric.
If a nosebleed, pet injury, or small spill just happened, act fast. The longer it sits, the more likely it is to set the stain and push the blood deeper into the cushion or chair.
Check the upholstery care tag before you treat the stain
Not all upholstery is the same. Water and solvent rules matter.
Look at the care tag on your sofa, couch, or chair. You may see letters like:
- W – Water based cleaner is safe.
- S – Use solvent only, no water.
- WS – Water or solvent is fine.
- X – Vacuum only, call a pro.
If it says S or X, avoid heavy water use and consider professional upholstery cleaning and restoration, especially for suede, silk, velvet, or delicate leather.
Always test it in an inconspicuous area first. Pick an inconspicuous area on the back or underside of the furniture and apply a tiny bit of cleaner or stain remover. If you see fading, a bleaching effect, or damage to the fiber, stop and call a local expert.
First aid for a fresh blood stain on upholstery
If you catch fresh blood stains quickly, you can often remove the stain with simple products.
- Blot, do not scrub
- Use a clean white cloth or cloth or paper towel.
- Gently blot the stain to lift Blood off the surface.
- Never scrub. Scrub action can push the blood deeper into the fabric fibers.
- Use cold water, not heat
- Always use cold or room temperature water. Warm or hot water or any warm or hot approach can cause the protein in Blood to bind to the Textile and set the stain.
- Lightly mist with a spray bottle of cold water and extract the moisture with a towel.
- Mild dish soap solution
- Mix a few drops of dish soap with cold water.
- Dampen a clean cloth or damp sponge, then gently blot the area.
- Rinse with cold water by wiping with a slightly damp clean white cloth and then pat dry.
If you are in Los Angeles and prefer not to risk delicate furniture, this is a good stage to bring in a local cleaner who understands different cushions and textile types.
How to remove dried blood stains from upholstery (step-by-step)
When you learn how to get blood out after it has dried, patience is your best friend. This is a reliable way to remove blood stains from upholstery and carpet fabrics that can handle water.
Step 1: Loosen the dried stain
- Gently agitate the area with a soft brush to break up the dried blood.
- Vacuum up any loose bits. This helps your stain removal products penetrate the stain and let sit properly.
Step 2: Apply a cold water and soap solution
- Mix a solution
- In a bowl or spray bottle, dilute a small amount of mild Soap or upholstery Cleaner in cold water. Avoid warm or hot water.
- Apply the solution
- Lightly mist or apply the solution onto the stain and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not saturate the cushion so you do not soak the padding.
- Gently blot the area
- Use a clean white cloth to gently blot the stain.
- Rotate to a fresh area of the cloth often so you do not re-transfer Blood onto the Textile.
- If you see the stain lifting, continue with water and blot until the cloth comes away mostly clean.
Use hydrogen peroxide carefully on stubborn stains
For light colored upholstery and stubborn stains, you can sometimes use hydrogen peroxide as a targeted stain remover. This is a stronger solvent approach, so work slowly.
- Test in an inconspicuous area first
- Apply a tiny drop of hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous area.
- Watch for any bleaching effect, odor changes, or damage to Cotton, Clothing-type fabric, Velvet, or other Fiber.
- Apply to the bloodstain
- Place a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain with a cotton swab or clean white towel.
- It may fizz as it reacts with the dried blood.
- Let sit for a few minutes, then water and blot using a clean cloth.
- Rinse with cold water
- Lightly mist with cold water and extract with a towel to remove residues.
- Blot the stain again to remove the stain and then dry with a towel to keep the area dry.
Hydrogen and oxygen in hydrogen peroxide help break down Blood, but can be strong on Silk, Leather, and Suede. For these types, it is safer to call a professional upholstery specialist in Los Angeles.
Alternative gentle solutions: club soda, vinegar, and glycerin
If you prefer milder options, you still have more than one way to remove stubborn spots.
- Club soda
- Lightly mist club soda onto the stain and let sit briefly.
- Gently blot with a towel. The bubbles can help lift stains without heavy chemicals.
- Vinegar mix
- Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water.
- Lightly mist onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes.
- Blot and then rinse with plain cold water and extract with a towel.
- This can help reduce odor as well.
- Glycerin
- A drop of glycerin on a dried bloodstain can soften it.
- Let it sit, then use your soap and cold water method again.
You can also look into oxygen based products like OxiClean for some types of Upholstery and Carpet, but always follow directions and test carefully.
Special notes for leather, suede, and delicate textiles
- Leather and suede: Avoid heavy water and aggressive Cleaner. Use products labeled safe for Leather or Suede and test in an inconspicuous area. Many stains may improve but stains may remain visible if overtreated, so professional help is wise.
- Silk and very delicate Textile or Clothing-like fabric: These can be damaged easily by Water, Heat, and standard stain removal products. Do not use warm or hot water. Work with a pro who offers careful cleaning and restoration so stains can be removed without damaging the fabric.
How to disinfect and finish the area
After you remove stains, you might still worry about germs or lingering odors.
- Lightly mist a fabric safe disinfectant and let sit as directed.
- Avoid products that leave a strong smell if your sense of smell is sensitive or if a pet uses that furniture.
- Keep the area dry by blotting and allowing plenty of airflow.
- For Couch and sofa cushions, let them dry completely before using them again.
Do not use warm or hot Temperature drying devices directly on the stain, as concentrated Heat can set any remaining residue.
When to call a local professional upholstery cleaner in Los Angeles
Sometimes the way to remove blood stains safely is to call in a local expert, especially when:
- You cannot see the stain improving after several gentle attempts.
- You are dealing with blood stains from your sofa made of Silk, Suede, Velvet, or Leather.
- The cushion is heavily saturated, or there is a strong odor.
- You do not want to risk permanent damage to expensive furniture or carpet.
A trained Los Angeles cleaner has tools, stain removal solutions, and extraction equipment to remove stains and disinfect without damaging your upholstery or carpet fibers. They can also explain how fresh and dried stains are handled differently, and how to act fast next time.
Keep your Los Angeles home stain free
Blood stains from upholstery do not have to be permanent. If you:
- Blot the stain quickly
- Use cold water and gentle soap
- Reserve hydrogen peroxide for light fabrics after testing
- Avoid Heat that might set the stain
Then even tough dried blood stains can often be lifted without harming the Textile or Cushion.
If you want to know more about the benefits of availing professional cleaning services, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted local cleaning and restoration team in Los Angeles for help with deep, stubborn stains.