How to Remove Blood from Satin Sheets

Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: January 24, 2022 References

Stubborn blood stains on your sheets are especially frustrating when you’re dealing with satin, a delicate fabric that requires gentle cleaning methods. Thankfully, there are many effective ways to use common household products as an alternative to harsh stain removers that can damage your satin. We’ve put together a list of simple, gentle, and effective ways to treat blood stains and keep your satin sheets looking good as new.

1

Treat the stain as soon as possible.

Fresh blood is easier to remove than a dried bloodstain. Satin is a delicate fabric that requires gentle cleansing, and the sooner you act, the less harsh of a method you can use. Strip your stained sheet from the bed right away.^{[1]
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- Always check the label to determine whether you can treat the sheet yourself or if it is dry clean only. Follow any cleaning recommendations you see.

2

Blot the stain if it’s still wet.

Soaking up excess blood will make stain removal easier. Gently dab or wipe the wet blood away with a clean, white cloth or a fresh paper towel. Wiping motions should always move inward from the outside edges of the stain to avoid spreading it over a larger area.^{[2]
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- Wipe or blot gently to avoid pressing the blood deeper into the fabric.
- If the blood is not yours, wear rubber or latex gloves to protect against possible blood borne pathogens.

3

Flush the stain with cold water before other treatments.

Cold water will prevent the stain from setting in. Rinse the stain from behind with a stream of cold water or dab at it with a clean cloth soaked in cold water. If the blood is still wet and you rinse it soon enough, cold water alone might remove the stain.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.}
- Hot water will cook the proteins in the blood into the fabric, making the stain much harder to remove.
- You can also use cold or room-temperature club soda to rinse the sheet. The carbonation will help break up the blood and loosen the stain.

4

Spray fresh stains with diluted dish soap.

Dish soap can remove stains from a variety of fabrics. Fill a clean spray bottle with water and a few drops of gentle dish soap. Rinse the stain with cold water and then spray your dish soap solution over it. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse again with cold water. Repeat as necessary or wash the sheet in cold water according to the instructions on the label.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.}
- If you don’t have a spray bottle on hand, try soaking the stain in a tub of cold water and dish soap until you see the stain begin to dissolve.

5

Dissolve wet or dried stains in lemon juice.

Lemon juice is an underrated stain remover. After rinsing the stain in cold water, rub one half of a lemon directly onto the stain. Next, soak the stain in a mixture of the juice from the other half of the lemon, 4 fluid ounces (120 mL) of cold water, and 2 tablespoons (38 grams) of salt. Let it soak for 15 minutes and then wash as normal.^{[5]
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- The acid in lemon juice might cause dark colors to fade. Test this method on an inconspicuous spot on your sheet and check for damage before using it on a stain.

6

Dab fresh stains with diluted white vinegar.

Distilled white vinegar is a handy stain removal aid. Combine equal parts vinegar and cold water and dab your mixture onto the stain with a clean cloth. Wait 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Wash and repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.^{[6]
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- If you only have apple cider vinegar, dilute it even further to avoid possibly damaging your fabric.

7

Lift fresh stains with a baking soda paste.

Baking soda and water make an effective and gentle stain remover. Mix 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water to make the paste. Flush the stain with cold water and then gently rub the paste over it. Wait 30 minutes or until the mixture is dry and then brush the residue away before washing the sheet in cold water.^{[7]
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- Talcum powder or cornstarch can be used as a substitute if you don’t have baking soda on hand.

8

Dissolve tough stains with a paste of salt and dish soap.

Salt is abrasive and will make dish soap a stronger stain remover. Mix 2 parts salt and 1 part liquid dish soap. Rinse the stain with cold water and then cover it with the salt and dish soap mixture. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse the stain again with cold water. Repeat until the stain is fully removed.^{[8]
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9

Make a paste with meat tenderizer for stubborn or dry stains.

Meat tenderizer breaks down the proteins in the blood. This will make the stain easier to remove. Sprinkle some non-seasoned tenderizer onto the stain, followed by some cold water. Work the water and tenderizer together with a soft bristled brush to form a paste and spread it evenly over the stain. Wait 30 minutes and then rinse the paste away with cold water. Wash the sheet as normal and repeat if necessary.^{[9]
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- Seasoned tenderizer can stain your sheet even more, so double check the label to make sure your bottle is unseasoned.

10

Absorb older stains with toothpaste.

Toothpaste is mildly abrasive and can soak up some stains. Spread a thick layer of toothpaste over the blood and wait for it to dry completely. Depending on how thick your toothpaste layer is, drying can take 1-2 hours or more. Rinse the dried toothpaste off with cold water and then wash the sheet. Repeat if necessary until the stain is removed.^{[10]
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- Use a non-gel toothpaste since the blue or green dye in the gel can also stain your sheets.^{[11]
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- Toothpaste can sometimes work on older, dried up stains. Gently rub the toothpaste into the stain with a toothbrush for tougher stains.

11

Soak stubborn stains in cold salt water.

Long term exposure to salt will corrode and lift the stain. Combine 4 tablespoons (75 grams) of salt with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of cold water in a large bucket or tub. Place the sheet in the tub and let it soak for up to an hour or more until the stain starts to dissolve. Wash the sheet according to the instructions on the label and repeat until the stain is gone.^{[12]
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- For older, dried up stains, let the sheet soak for several hours or overnight before washing.

12

Soak the sheet with bleach-free detergent.

A detergent soak can be more effective than just washing the stain. Combine a gentle detergent and cold water in a large tub or bucket. Soak the sheet in the bucket for up to 30 minutes or more until the stain begins to dissolve. Remove the sheet and rinse the stain with cold water.^{[13]
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- Check that your detergent is free from strong chemicals like bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the satin. Look for detergents marked “delicate” or made specifically for satin and other fragile fabrics.
- For older, dried up stains, let the sheet soak for several hours or overnight before washing.

13

Let the sheet air dry after treatment.

Heat will set in any remaining blood after you treat the stain. Air dry your sheet instead of using the dryer. Choose a location indoors and away from direct sunlight to lay or hang your sheet.^{[14]
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- Remove excess water from the sheet by gently pressing it between 2 towels or rolling it inside a large towel. Wringing water out of the sheet might distort or stretch the fabric.
- Drying instructions may vary depending on the type of fibers in your sheet. When in doubt, hang dry it instead of using the dryer.
- If the stain is still visible after the sheet dries, repeat the treatment or try an extended soak (four hours or longer) in a cold salt water or detergent mixture before washing and drying again.

Expert Q&A

Question

What kind of cleaner is best for dried blood on clothing?

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan

Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Answer

Oxygen-based and chlorine-free cleaners should all work. If you don't have a specialized cleaner, 4 cups of warm water and one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent should work.

Warnings

If you’re worried about a cleaning substance damaging your sheet, do a spot test by putting a few drops of the cleaner on a hidden part of the sheet, like the bottom hem or corner. If the drops do not damage or discolor the fabric, then the cleaner is safe to use on stains.

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