Table of Contents
Well, you’ve finally done it. You drove your wife/girlfriend/mother to the point where they busted you in the mouth for being such a smart aleck. The worst part is it was in your car, and the blood got everywhere because your nose decided it wanted to break the world record for the most blood ever.
Ok, maybe that’s not what happened, but still, an image that could happen, right? Beyond our orneriness, accidents tend to happen. Babies, pets, natural occurrences, all these things can happen and unfortunately can happen in your car. It’s not the end of the world and can be fixed, so rest assured it will be ok.
In today’s guide, we’ll walk through the process of bloodstain removal. Whatever the reason, no matter the affected area, we’ll walk through this process and take care of that car upholstery.
Let’s dive into it.
Things You'll Need
Before we dive into the process of getting blood stains out, let’s gather some things that will help make the job easier. Beyond the bloodstains looking unsightly, there is also a potential health risk involved here as well, so always proceed with caution when working with blood in any form. Alright, let’s get your car upholstery cleaned up.
- Latex Gloves – These are going to protect your hands. Blood-born pathogens are a big deal, so are many other blood-related issues and problems, so even if it’s your own bloodstain, be careful. Gloves will help protect you from both the blood and any chemicals you’ll end up working with.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Hydrogen Peroxide is an everyday household item that is great for many things. But none more so than to remove blood stains. Also, hydrogen peroxide is good for disinfecting as well as treating wounds too. If you don’t carry hydrogen peroxide in a first aid kit in your car, it may very well be something to consider.
- Absorbent Cloth – Any clean cloth that can absorb really well will work here. Nothing fancy, just about any dry cloth will work. You will also want a damp cloth after you remove the bloodstain.
- Upholstery Cleaner and Stain Remover – Something along the lines like this Chemical Guys Foaming Citrus Fabric Clean Carpet and Upholstery. This is going to finish up cleaning the area and get it smelling and looking fresh. Be sure to read the information on the bottle as well before you apply.
- Lysol/Disinfectant – Disinfecting is one last precaution to ensure that after removing blood, no other potential issues are hanging around to be safe.
Remove Blood Stains From Car Seats Step By Step
Step 1
Now that we have the supplies we need, let’s begin. Be sure to have your latex gloves at all times. You never know what could be lingering behind. Your safety is the most important. While you scrub and work to remove the stain, they will help protect you from anything that could be harmful.
Take the hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the bloodstain using your fingers to work it into the car seat. The hydrogen peroxide will have a sizzle effect on the bloodstain. Using peroxide should pull the stain out of the car seat and bring it to the surface. Let it sit for some time on the stained area.
Step 2
In step 2, we start with a clean, dry cloth to blot the stain in the affected area. The idea is to press hard so the dry rag can absorb the blood from the car seat. You can work your fingers to focus on the exact spot in the car upholstery, which will aid in the stain removal process.
If you use a clean white cloth, you will see how it pulls it from the stained area. The white fabric will become stained itself, so be sure to use one you won’t mind this happening to.
Step 3
Repeat the car seat process until you completely remove the blood from the upholstery. You may need to blot the car seats several times to get the stain removed for stubborn stains. Also, keep in mind that you may need to have the hydrogen peroxide sit on the spot repeatedly to remove the stain.
Ideally, you will only need to repeat step 1, step 2, and step 3 and then be able to move on. Just remember you may need to get that peroxide grounded in the upholstery to remove the blood.
Step 4
Now it is time to remove excess stains and anything leftover from the above steps on your car seats. Using upholstery cleaner, begin cleaning the car seat. Now is a good time to do all your car seats and give the entire car, not just the affected area, a good cleaning.
When shampooing the car, use warm water. Be sure to work on the stained area well so that nothing is left lingering. Go over all of the upholstery, so it’s nice and clean. Rinse the area and double-check your cleaning to be sure your car seats look as good as new.
You can also spray your car seat on the stained area and let it sit to get it even cleaner. Some stubborn stains may need this done too.
Step 5
Now the stain removal process should be complete. Dry the area once more. Now is the time to use Lysol or another disinfectant. This step isn’t necessary, but once again, it will clean the car seat as thoroughly as possible by removing anything that could have been harmful from the stain spot.
This process is easy, mainly if you use a spray bottle or can. You can do the whole car, not just the area with the blood, to disinfect all over. Disinfecting is a best practice as well to prevent other things like cold bugs and whatnot.
Other Blood Stain Tips
How do you clean car seats with hydrogen peroxide?
How to get dried blood stains out of car seats
How to get blood out of suede car seats
How to get blood out of vinyl
Will hydrogen peroxide bleach car seats?
Does OxiClean remove blood?
How do I get Period stains out?
Why does blood stain so bad?
Why is cold water best for cleaning blood?
Why does hot water make blood stain?
What is the best stain remover for blood?
Can baking soda remove blood stains?
Can vinegar remove blood stains?
Does salt remove blood stains?
- Combine just enough cold water with some salt to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the stained area.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water or wipe away with a cold, damp cloth.
Does ice remove blood stains?
Helpful Links
Conclusion
Whatever method you choose, whether it be chemical solution-based or natural, the sooner the blood is dealt with, the sooner you can remove the stains from the car. Any tip that works and any suggestions that help make a job easier are the best ones. Try and apply everything we covered. If you find anything else effective, be sure to let us know.
Stains can be a pain, but it’s guides like these that make them easier to handle. Best practices are a good thing. Always have water and a clean cloth in your car. You never know what situation might come up that having either will be handy.
