Blood stains on carpet can be a common occurrence, whether it be from a small cut or a more serious injury. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to remove these stains as soon as possible to prevent any potential health risks. Not only can blood stains harbor bacteria, viruses, and other harmful bloodborne pathogens (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, etc.) but they can also attract pests such as flies, mosquitoes and other insects. In this article, we will discuss the various methods for removing blood stains from carpet, including the use of household products, professional cleaning solutions, and biohazard cleanup services.
Before we get into the steps of how to address blood cleanup in carpeting, there are some additional questions you need ask about your situation. For example; if you have blood present in your carpeting, are they blood droplets, smears, of pooling? The second question you need to review, how much surface area is the blood covering on your carpeting? When dealing with light droplets or smears in a concentrated area of carpeting, the steps listed below are likely to help or potentially remove the blood. However, when you have heavy droplet or smear concentration doing the cleanup yourself may not be in your best interest. If you find yourself dealing with a pooling of blood in your carpeting, it is not recommended to attempt cleaning yourself. Blood pooling in carpet is best left to biohazard remediation professionals. Not only is it much more difficult to remove blood pooling from carpeting, the steps below can actually spread the biohazard material deeper into the carpeting, potentially affecting the padding and possibly the sub-flooring beneath the carpeting. If you are planning to attempt the cleanup yourself be sure to isolate the area, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and use all cleaning products according the manufacture’s instruction’s or guidelines.
Step 1: Blot the stain
The first step in removing a blood stain from carpet is to blot the excess liquid with a clean, dry cloth. It’s important not to scrub or rub the stain, as this can cause the blood to spread and become more difficult to remove. Instead, gently press down on the stain to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. If the stain is still wet, continue blotting until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 2: Pre-treat the stain
Once you have removed as much of the excess liquid as possible, it’s time to pre-treat the stain. There are a few different options for pre-treating a blood stain on carpet, including the use of household products such as vinegar and baking soda, or commercial stain removers such as enzyme cleaners. It is very important to not oversaturate the affected area with liquids. Using more liquid can actually make the situation worse by allowing the blood to leech further into the carpeting and potentially penetrating down to the sub-flooring, creating an more complex situation to address.
To use vinegar and baking soda, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist the mixture onto the stain. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stain and allow the mixture to sit for at least an hour. The vinegar and baking soda will work together to loosen and lift the stain from the carpet fibers. Once the mixture has had time to work its magic, blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove the excess liquid.
Enzyme cleaners and oxygen bleach are also effective at pre-treating blood stains on carpet. Enzyme cleaners work by breaking down the proteins in the stain, while oxygen bleach works by releasing oxygen ions that lift the stain from the carpet fibers. To use either of these products, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application. If you are using a bleach or chlorine based cleaning products you must be aware these products can alter the color of your carpeting. Review carefully the manufactures instructions and warnings carefully.
Step 3: Rinse and repeat
After pre-treating the stain, it’s important to rinse the area with cold water to remove any leftover cleaning solution or residue. Use a clean, damp cloth to gently blot the stain, being careful not to scrub or rub the carpet fibers. If the stain is still visible after rinsing, you may need to repeat the pre-treatment process until the stain is fully removed. If you have completed this process numerous times and you’re unable to remove the blooding and staining fully, it would be in your best interests to contact a professional biohazard cleanup service.
Step 4: Use a steam cleaner
If the stain is still not fully removed after pre-treating and rinsing, a steam cleaner can be a helpful tool for removing the remaining blood. Steam cleaners work by injecting hot water and cleaning solution into the carpet fibers, which helps to loosen and lift any remaining stains. Be sure to use a cleaning solution specifically formulated for use in a steam cleaner, and follow the labeled instructions for dilution and application.It is important to note that if you are planning to use a steam cleaner, it would be in your best interest to leverage an extraction machine to help lift the excess water and material from the carpeting.
Step 5: Consider professional cleaning or biohazard cleanup
If the stain is particularly stubborn or the carpet is in an area with high foot traffic, it may be more effective to hire a professional cleaning service or biohazard cleanup team. Professional cleaners have the knowledge and experience to effectively remove tough stains and restore the appearance of your carpet. Biohazard cleanup teams are equipped to handle the removal of potentially hazardous materials, such as blood, and will use specialized techniques and equipment to ensure the area is properly decontaminated.
Conclusion:
Blood stains on carpet can be a difficult and potentially hazardous issue to deal with. By following the steps outlined above, you can potentially remove blood stains and prevent the risk of harboring any harmful bacteriaand other bloodborne pathogens. Remember, just because the carpeting looks clean doesn’t mean it is clean. Fully removing blood and or other biological material completely from porous material like carpeting is not possible. There will always be trace or residual amounts of blood. The only way to remove the blood or biological material completely from carpeting it the removal of the affected area(s). Biohazard cleanup companies like 360 Hazardous Cleanup specializes in the remediation of trauma scenes such as homicides, suicides, industrial accidnets, unattended deaths, decompositions, and mass traumas leverage techniques that are aligned with OHSA guidelines for bloodborne pathogens. 360 Hazardous Cleanup is available 24 horus a day, 7 days a week to assist. Contact 360 Hazardous Cleanup for more information.
