The Secret Ingredient That'll Lift Blood Stains From Your Favorite Clothing

No matter how your clothing got dirty, whether it was from a stray paper cut or a grazed knee, blood stains on clothes definitely aren't the most subtle of marks. Sometimes, just washing an item won't get rid of a stain completely, and that's where white vinegar comes in. This handy product will get your clothes back to looking fresh and stain-free without the need for any extra items, aside from paper towels and a cloth.

Different from the malt vinegar typically used to season food (so don't go looking in your pantry for a regular bottle), white vinegar can be used for seasoning purposes but also makes a great cleaner. It's often used in laundry to get rid of stains, odors, and even mildew. In this case, the pantry staple will lift the blood stain, allowing you to wash the item as per usual. It should emerge looking brand new again, so be sure to grab some vinegar the next time you notice a pesky mark on your clothes.

To remove blood stains, pour a small amount of white vinegar right onto the mark and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. There's also evidence to suggest that leaving the vinegar to work its magic for 30 minutes is more effective for tougher marks. After the time is up, grab a paper towel and blot the vinegar-covered stain until it disappears. You can use a cloth instead, but make sure you're blotting instead of rubbing so you don't accidentally set the blood.

If the stain is still visible, repeat the first step. You can then put the item in the washing machine as usual or use a clean damp cloth to get rid of any leftover vinegar and lingering smells. Ensure you rinse with cold water if you choose the latter step. If the item you're washing is prone to shrinking, it's best to hand wash instead of putting it in the machine. 

As always when using a new ingredient on your clothing, spot test first. You can do this by putting a drop or two of white vinegar onto an inconspicuous area of the garment (perhaps inside out). Leave for a few minutes and then check for signs of discoloration or other damage. If you see any, do not continue with the hack. Otherwise, you could cause permanent damage to your clothing item. If you're trying to get a blood stain out of an expensive item, this is particularly important. When it comes to the hack itself, you could try using a diluted solution of equal parts vinegar and water if you're worried vinegar by itself will be too strong. 

The way this hack works is that vinegar is highly acidic, meaning it will "charge" the molecules of the blood stain, per Scientific American. These molecules will then move away from the fabric and towards water, making the stain disappear. Vinegar is a natural cleaner and a great option if you're trying to lean away from chemical cleaners, but it can still cause damage to clothing, hence why the spot test is so important.