How to get rid of a blood stain on a mattress
Blood stains on the mattress appear quite often in everyday life, the reason for this may be different circumstances. However, a mattress with its bulky volumes and complex structure is much more difficult to wash than a regular bedspread or sheet. That is why many people often have a question: how to remove blood from a mattress. There are many simple folk tricks for this.
Why is blood difficult to remove
Blood has a rather complex structure, it contains proteins, carbohydrates, various acids, fats. That is why it quickly penetrates into the fibers of the tissue, and to remove it requires a chemical reaction with the cells of this fluid. Science knows cases when traces of dried blood were found on stones, wood or fabrics that lasted several hundred, or even thousands of years.
Therefore, it will not work just like that to wash off the blood with water. However, since blood has an organic structure, there are many ways to remove blood stains from a mattress at home.
Important! Since the mattress has a complex, dense structure, it should not be wetted abundantly with water or other means. To eliminate the stain, it is enough to gradually apply the substances with a damp cloth or sponge.
How to wash the blood off the mattress
To eliminate traces of blood, both special chemicals and folk methods that have been tested for centuries are used.
Before you wipe the blood from the mattress, it must be properly prepared:
- Soak up traces of blood. To do this, just apply a damp terry towel to the stain. In this case, hot water cannot be used, as it will promote deep penetration of blood into the material.
- After the mattress is wet, it must be blotted with a dry paper towel. This will remove excess blood and moisture.
- Both procedures must be repeated several times. Manipulations need to be done until blood particles cease to remain on the napkin.
After all the conditions for cleaning the mattress have been created, you can proceed directly to removing the stubborn marks.
Special means
Specialty chemicals act quickly and are the easiest to use. They are usually used by cleaning professionals. The funds are available in different forms:
- Pencils for stains
- Powder products to be diluted with water
- Gels and liquids
The method of application of the substances is standard. The product is applied to the stained area, wait a few minutes, after which it must be removed with a damp cloth or sponge.
Industrial substances have their disadvantages - they have a negative effect on the skin of the hands, can cause allergies, and have a high price.
Using folk remedies
Folk remedies do not require additional costs, since most of the substances are available in any household. Plus, home remedies are environmentally friendly. For these reasons, in the question of how to remove blood from a mattress, many housewives prefer the old home methods.
Salt
Salt is a common method to cleanse the blood from the mattress. Instead of salt, you can also use baking soda.
How to use:
- Create a gruel from a few tablespoons of salt and water.
- Rub the soiled place with gruel.
- Cover this part of the mattress with cling film and leave for 20-30 minutes.
- The salt will eat through the complex proteins in the blood and absorb the dirt into itself. After that, it remains only to remove the gruel with a damp cloth.
- Finally, dry the mattress thoroughly.
Important! You need to dry the product by ventilating the room. In no case should you use an iron or hairdryer. This will dry out the filler.
Ammonia
Ammonia is suitable for woolen or cotton fabrics. It will help you to easily get rid of the blood on the pile.
Application technique:
- Create a 1: 4 ammonia / water solution.
- Spray the product onto the surface of the mattress.
- Cover the stain with plastic wrap and leave for 30 minutes.
- After that, wash off the remaining substance with a damp sponge or cloth.
Important! The remedy is contraindicated for persons who suffer from asthma, allergies or respiratory diseases. When using it, you must wear a protective mask and gloves.
Hydrogen peroxide solution
A solution of hydrogen peroxide will help remove stains from bright, colored fabrics. This product is also appropriate to use on silk or satin surfaces, it will not spoil the glossy structure of the material. However, for dark fabrics, the substance is not suitable, as it can leave light traces.
Instructions for use:
- Moisten a cotton pad with 3% peroxide solution.
- Apply firmly to the stain for a few seconds, until a light foam begins to form.
- Wipe off traces of blood with several strokes.
- Remove residues of the product and blood with a damp cloth.
Lemon acid
Lemon juice or citric acid solution is usually used when the question arises of how to wash the blood from a white mattress. Citric acid perfectly brightens fabric and darkening. This will make the white mattress look like new.
How to use:
- 5 grams of crystals must be dissolved in 100 ml of water, this is about half a glass.
- Soak a towel or napkin in the solution and attach it tightly to the mattress.
- Cover the place with polyethylene and leave for 1 hour.
- After that, wash off the remnants of blood with a napkin dipped in clean water.
Rules for cleaning different kinds of mattresses
In order for the mattress to serve for a long time, it must be looked after in a certain way. Thanks to proper care, the product will for many years:
- Keep your shape
- Maintain a beautiful appearance of the upholstery
- Ensure comfortable and pleasant sleep
A dirty, unkempt mattress wears out much faster. In addition, it can become a source of allergies to dust, animal dander or other household contaminants.
Basic rules for cleaning mattresses:
- Ventilate the mattress every six months. To do this, it is enough to remove the bed linen and leave the product in a room with open windows for several hours.
- Regularly clean the mattress from dust and wool using a vacuum cleaner and a special nozzle.
- You can dry the product only in a natural way. In this case, it is important that the sun's rays do not fall on it.
- When drying, the mattress must be turned over several times.
- It is necessary to wipe the stains from the edges to the center.
- Try not to eat food in bed, especially drinks.
The use of special covers and dense sheets with an elastic band will extend the service life of the product. These devices will also keep the object from getting on it with liquids, including blood. The cover is easy to remove and wash. Even if blood or other substance permeates the sheet and cover, the stain will be much smaller.
Orthopedic
The orthopedic mattress has a very complex design:
- Springs of different sizes
- Layers of foam rubber and other fillers of different density and texture
- Strong, dense padding
This requires a specific cleaning approach:
- It is important to use the minimum amount of moisture
- Better dry clean
- Blood should be removed with dry substances: salt, soda. As a last resort, you should use a wet gruel from them
- Do not use strong chemicals: they can damage the filler
- In no case should you use substances that contain chlorine.
Since most orthopedic mattresses contain synthetic fillers, they are fairly easy to clean from blood and other contaminants.
With natural fillers
Natural mattress fillers differ greatly from each other:
- The fluff absorbs moisture quite strongly, after which it sticks together and falls off. After cleaning, downy featherbeds must be dried well and then beaten. To clean this material from traces of blood, it is better to use vinegar, citric acid or hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda. Bubbles of carbon dioxide, which are released during a chemical reaction with baking soda, will gently clean out even the smallest particles.
- Cotton wool or other cotton filling also easily absorbs moisture, after which it sticks easily. Therefore, when cleaning, you must use a slurry of soda or salt. These products dry for a long time. To prevent mold from forming in them when drying, it is better to treat them with a hairdryer turned on in a cold mode. In this case, it is important not to overdry the product.
- Coconut coir does not absorb moisture, it is easily cleaned of any contamination with ordinary water. However, various microorganisms, microbes and even bugs and ticks like to live here. Therefore, this mattress needs to be ventilated more often than usual. In addition, coconut material does not like strong mechanical movements. Even pops can damage it.
- Natural latex easily absorbs moisture and also easily releases it. However, he does not like acids, so citric acid, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar should not be used to care for this material.
Spring
A spring mattress is most afraid of moisture. Water adhering to metal parts can cause corrosion. This will lead to a creak, a decrease in the elasticity of parts, and in the end, to their breakage. If water gets on the springs, it is quite difficult to remove it, since the springs are usually wrapped in a special material and covered with a thick layer of filler on top, which prevents the springs from being ventilated.
When cleaning a model with springs, it is important not to use a lot of liquid, try to do all the manipulations only with slightly damp wipes. This will increase the processing time of the product, but save it from further damage.
It is important to ventilate the item well after cleaning.As with any mattress, it must be dried naturally to avoid damaging the padding.
Children's
Children's models, as a rule, have a rather thin structure of several layers of foam rubber or latex. The small size of the item makes the washing process much easier. This mattress can be easily wiped off with laundry detergent, detergent or other substance. After cleaning, it can be rinsed with water in the bath.
However, after such wet procedures, it is important to dry the mattress. This is best done outdoors: on the balcony or in the courtyard of a private house. In this case, it is important to ensure that the sun's rays do not fall on the product.
Features for removing old stains
Old, dried and deeply ingrained stains are most difficult to remove from fabric and filler. For this reason, dirt must be removed as soon as it appears.
If the blood has managed to penetrate deeply into the material, then for elimination it is necessary:
- Pre-soak the stain. When doing this, it is important to use a damp towel rather than pouring on dirt.
- Use only room temperature products.
- Repeat the procedures many times.
The use of harsh chemicals will not solve the problem, but will only spoil the material of the product. It is better to use gentle means, but repeat the manipulations many times. Patience and perseverance here will be the main helpers in mattress care.
Video: 5 ways to quickly and easily remove blood stains