Wet blood stains can be removed from shoes using a damp cloth with saltwater or dish soap. Simply blot the spot of blood and scrub gently in a circular motion. For dried blood stains, dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar and scrub in a circular motion.
Wherever the blood comes from, it can leave a pesky stain on your shoes. Compared to tackling stains on clothes, getting blood out of shoes can be a little tricky.
However, with some simple methods, you can remove blood stains quickly and easily. These stain-removal methods can be used on canvas shoes, leather shoes, and many more.
Gather your materials:
The bloodied shoes
Hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar
Ammonia
Dish soap
Gloves
Clean cloths
Step 1: Blot The Blood Stain
You have to blot the stain before scrubbing. Rubbing the stain will do more harm than good, as it will push the blood deeper into the shoe.
A better approach is to gently dab the blood stain with a clean cloth, working from the outside of the stain going in. Use a light-colored cloth if you can, so you can see the blood as you’re blotting it.
For a dried blood stain, you have to soak the cloth in warm water and press it into the blood stain. Hold it for a couple of minutes to soften the dried blood.
Once you feel like the stain has softened, gently blot it away with a clean part of the cloth.
Step 2: Hydrogen Peroxide
Once you have blotted most of the blood, you can apply hydrogen peroxide. This natural bleaching agent is usually used to tackle blood stains.
Hydrogen peroxide is very effective (good for carpets too); however, you should test a small amount on an inconspicuous area before continuing. Spot-checking is important, so you don’t stain your entire shoe.
When it’s safe, pour some hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth and rub it gently into the blood stain. Let it soak to lift the stain, then blot it away with a clean cloth. You may have to repeat the process or proceed to other alternatives below.
Step 3: Rubbing Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is a strong solvent that tackles many stains and can break down the blood stain. This can be purchased from any general store.
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and rub it into the stain. Let it sit for a minute or two before wiping the stain with a damp cloth. You can repeat this process until the stain is gone.
Step 4: White Vinegar
White vinegar is a mild acid that can also break down the stain. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bucket. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and rub gently into the blood stain. Let it soak for a couple of minutes, and wipe it away with a damp cloth.
You can also add salt to this mixture. It will act as an exfoliator to help loosen the blood particles from the shoes.
Step 5: Ammonia
Ammonia is a stronger solvent than rubbing alcohol that may be more effective in removing blood from shoes. However, you must be careful as ammonia can ruin your shoes, so follow the instructions carefully.
Mix 1 part of ammonia with four parts of water in a bucket. Apply this solution carefully to the shoe and scrub with a hard brush. Rinse the area with cold water and allow the shoes to air dry completely. Repeat as needed.
When using ammonia, make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from pets and children. It’s best to do this method outside, where there is fresh air. Do not inhale or ingest the chemical.
Step 6: Oxiclean
Oxiclean is a well-known cleaning product that uses oxygen bleach to remove various kinds of stains and brighten items.
It’s in the household cabinet of every home because of its cleaning ability, ease of use, and eco-conscious compared to other bleaches.
What’s special about Oxiclean is when it’s in water, oxygen bubbles come up and break the blood out of shoes.
Mix about two tablespoons of oxygen bleach with a bucket of water and soak your shoe for an hour. Then, wash them with cold, clean water before allowing them to air dry.
Step 7: Dish Soap and Water
While this method may not work in completely removing blood stains, it can be paired with one of the methods listed.
Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with cold water in a clean bucket. Dip a cloth in the soapy water and wring it out. Make sure it is not soaking wet.
Rub the cloth over the stain, and rinse the shoes with clean water. Let it dry completely before checking if the stain is still there.
How Do You Get Blood Out of White Sneakers?
You may be a little cautious about using the above methods on white sneakers, as it may cause yellow stains.
The following items can be used to clean blood stains out of white shoes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent cleaner and deionizer that can remove fresh and dried blood from shoes. It does not yellow your shoes and leaves them sparkling white.
Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the stained area. Scrub with a brush in a circular motion. Rinse your shoes in water to remove the baking soda.
For a fresh blood stain, quickly add some baking soda to absorb the blood and wipe gently.
Talcum powder works great, too.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent applied straight to the stain is also effective when dish soap has no effect. It’s much better if it’s color-safe bleach detergent as it is the most effective for sorting out blood-stained shoes.
Apply a good amount of detergent to the blood stain on your shoes and gently scrub with an old toothbrush. Leave to soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing with cold water. Leave to air dry.
Homemade White Canvas Shoe Cleaner
You can make a fool-proof cleaner of liquid detergent, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide to tackle blood stains on white shoes. Using lemon juice gives the cleaner a pleasant smell and additional cleaning power.
Test the stain remover solution on a small area of the shoe before putting it on the stain.
Allow the solution to soak the stain for one minute before gently scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Rinse with cold water.
Blood stains can be difficult to remove because it has a clotting mechanism. While this is a great function in our body, it has many factors that cause it to bind together when exposed to air.
This binds it to whatever surface it comes into contact with, in this case, your shoes.
However, it’s not impossible. Patience is key in removing these stains. Note these tips when tacking a blood stain:
Always work from the outside edges of the blood stain moving inside to avoid spreading it to a clean part of the shoe.
Avoid using hot water or heat on wet or dry blood stains. This will cause it to set, making it extremely hard to remove.
Don’t mix any of the chemicals together, as they may cause harmful fumes, which will cause breathing problems. Always wear your gloves when working with chemicals.
Try and deal with the blood stain immediately.
Removing blood stains from shoes can be a real pain. However, with the various methods and notes above, you can get them out of any shoe, from boots to canvas and leather shoes. Always follow the instructions to ensure you don’t ruin your shoes.
Hi, my name is Shauna Stone and I love improving my home to make it perfect. Researching new cleaning techniques is one of my favorite things to do - have you ever fallen into the rabbit hole that is cleaning TikToks?
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