By Zach Pozniak, VP of Operations at Jeeves of Belgravia New York and fourth-generation dry cleaner · @jeeves_ny
Quick answer: Rinse blood stains with cold water, then treat them with 3% hydrogen peroxide or a protease enzyme stain remover. Let it sit, wash as directed, and never dry the item until the stain is fully gone.
The fastest way to remove blood stains is to act quickly, rinse with cold water, then treat the spot with 3% hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme stain remover that contains protease. Let it sit, wash as directed, and check the stain before drying so you do not set it permanently.
Blood is a protein stain, which means heat can make it harder to remove if the stain has not been fully lifted yet. Start by rinsing the area under cold running water or soaking it in cold water for a few minutes.
Do not use warm or hot water at the start. For fresh blood, cold water helps lift the stain without cooking it into the fibers.
Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. If it is blood, it will usually foam. That foam is a useful sign that the treatment is reacting with the stain.
If you prefer a spray or laundry treatment, choose one that includes protease. Protease helps break down protein stains like blood. Apply it, let it sit, then wash as directed.
Inspect the stain before tumble drying. Dryer heat can lock in any remaining blood and make removal much harder. If you still see color, repeat the treatment instead of drying it.
For stubborn stains, re-treat with hydrogen peroxide or soak the item in an oxygen bleach solution, then wash again. Old blood stains usually need more than one round.
If the blood stain is on silk, wool, upholstery, a rug, or a dry-clean-only garment, professional cleaning is often the safest option. Old or large stains may also need specialized treatment.
Or ask about any laundry or garment care question
Zach Pozniak is VP of Operations and co-owner of Jeeves of Belgravia New York, the Madison Avenue dry cleaner serving New York since 1979, and the fourth generation of his family in the trade. Zach posts garment care techniques as @jeeves_ny on TikTok to over 620,000 followers, and his book The Laundry Book, co-written with his father Jerry Pozniak, was featured on Good Morning America in October 2024. Jeeves NY's clients include the Metropolitan Opera, the Met Museum, and FIT, and the business has been profiled by The Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine.