The Household Essential That Fights Tough Blood Stains On Sheets

Blood stains on sheets happen; though they look alarming, you only need one ingredient to eliminate them. Instead of frantically scrubbing at the mark or raiding your cleaning cupboard, reach for medicine cabinet staple and household stain-buster hydrogen peroxide. This handy product isn't only for cuts and scrapes but also for removing tough stains without leaving your sheets looking dull. As well as peroxide, you'll need a cloth and access to cold water to carry out this hack properly.

Hydrogen peroxide (the 3% kind) is an affordable stain removal product that's a great item to have on hand for several issues. Blood stains can be stubborn to get out because blood naturally clots and then sticks to the surface it's on, meaning you're often left with a faint red or orange tinge even after thoroughly washing your sheets. However, due to hydrogen peroxide's ability to tackle new and old blood stains, your sheets should be back to looking fresh and clean again in no time.

To restore your sheets, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and leave it to do its job for at least five minutes, potentially longer if the mark has been there for a while. When time is up, use a paper towel or clean cloth to dab at the blood and soak up any excess. You can also use a brush to work it in. Do this until the stain has disappeared, and then wash the sheet with cold water to ensure all residue is gone. You can do this either in the washing machine or by spot-washing the sheet over a sink, whichever you prefer. If the stain hasn't entirely disappeared, you may need to repeat this method.

This hack works because the proteins in the blood stain react with the hydrogen peroxide. This, in turn, breaks down the pigment and makes it easier to remove. Though it's an excellent stain remover, note that hydrogen peroxide could cause certain fabrics to fade due to its mild bleaching power. Because of this, it's best to spot-test first on darker or more colorful fabrics. It's generally always best to do a spot test where possible, just in case the hydrogen peroxide doesn't agree with the fabric your sheets are made from. If anything goes wrong, you have a ruined fabric patch rather than a ruined bedsheet.