How to Get Fresh or Dried Blood out of Jeans

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Make your jeans look brand-new again with a few tips from the pros

Written by Safir Ali | Edited by Dev Murphy, MA

Last Updated: November 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Removing a Fresh Blood Stain
|
• Removing a Dried Blood Stain
|
• Washing the Pants
|
• Video
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

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Whether you’re on your period or just had a bit of a mishap, a blood stain on your jeans doesn’t have to spell doom for your fave pair of pants! We’ll walk you through expert tips for removing stubborn blood stains from denim, no matter if the stain is fresh or has already dried. Keep reading for the details!

This article is based on an interview with our professional dry cleaner, Safir Ali, co-founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

• Pretreat a fresh blood stain on your jeans by blotting the stain with a damp cloth and then soaking the jeans for 10 to 30 minutes. Let the jeans air-dry.
• Scrub a fresh blood stain with cold water or 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dishwashing soap until the stain fades.
• Remove a dried blood stain by mixing 1 teaspoon (5.69 g) of meat tenderizer and water to form a paste; scrub the paste into the stain until it lifts.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Fresh Blood Stains

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1. 1
   Blot a fresh blood stain with a clean, damp cloth. Place a dry washcloth inside your jeans directly under the stain. With a clean cloth soaked in cold water, blot the stained area to absorb the excess blood. Avoid rubbing the stain, as rubbing can cause the stain to spread. Repeat the blotting process until the cloth isn’t picking up any more blood. Use a new cloth as needed.

   • Never use warm or hot water at any point in the process. This may cause the stain to set, and it’s much easier to remove a stain before it’s set.
2. 
   2
   Soak your jeans in cold water for 10 to 30 minutes. Fill a sink or tub with cold water. Remove the washcloth from inside your pants and submerge your jeans in the cold water. Allow the pants to soak for 10 to 30 minutes; the longer the stain has set, the longer you may need to soak the jeans.
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3. 
   3
   Wring out the jeans. After 10 to 30 minutes, remove the jeans from the water. Wring out the jeans by hand or place them in a washing machine on the spin cycle.
4. 
   4
   Apply 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dishwashing soap to the stain. It's possible simply rinsing out the stain with water will remove it, but if the stain is stubborn or has already set too long, dishwashing soap can help pick it up. Work the soap into a lather as you rub it into the stain. Rinse the area with cold water. Add more soap and repeat the process as needed.

   • Use your fingers or a small brush—toothbrushes work great!
   • If the stain is still stubborn, try adding 1 tablespoon (21.25 g) of table salt to the affected area and rub the salt into the stain for a few minutes. You may need to apply an additional tablespoon 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) or so of liquid soap, dish soap, or shampoo to the stain as well.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing a Dried Blood Stain

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1. 
   1
   Remove a dried blood stain with meat tenderizer. Pour 1 teaspoon (5.69 g) of unscented and unflavored meat tenderizer into a small bowl. Slowly add water and stir until a paste is formed. With your fingers or a small brush, rub the paste into the stain. Allow the paste to sit on the stain for 30 minutes before washing the pants.

   • Blood contains protein and meat tenderizer breaks down protein. This makes meat tenderizer an effective blood stain removal agent.
2. 
   2
   Remove a dried blood stain with baking soda. Pour 1 teaspoon (5.69 g) of baking soda directly onto the stained area. Using your fingers or a small brush, rub the baking soda into the stain. Move your fingers or the brush in small, circular motions. Allow the soda to absorb into the stain for 15 to 30 minutes before washing the pants.
3. 
   3
   Remove a dried blood stain with hydrogen peroxide. Pour about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the blood stain. Place plastic wrap over the stain and cover the area with a towel. Let the hydrogen peroxide soak into the fabric for 5 to 10 minutes. With a clean rag, blot the blood stain.

   • This will work wonderfully on white jeans, but be cautious using it on blue jeans or colored jeans.
   • Test the hydrogen peroxide on a small, inconspicuous part of the pants prior to applying it to the stain. If the color runs or the fabric is bleached, do not apply the product to the blood stain.
4. 4
   Sun-bleach the blood stain. After preparing to treat your bloodstained pants, hang your pants to dry outdoors on a sunny afternoon. Lay your pants over a chair or hang your jeans on a clothesline, making sure that the sunlight is hitting the stain. Leave your pants outside for 4 hours. The sunlight may significantly fade, or bleach, the stain.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing the Pants

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1. 
   1
   Rinse the pants in cold water. Put your treated jeans in a sink or tub and run the tap until the water is cold. Rinse out the jeans with the cold tap water until the product or paste you applied to the stain is removed.
2. 
   2
   Wash your jeans in cold water. In addition to laundry detergent, add one scoop of powdered oxygen bleach to the machine. Do not add any other clothing or items to the load.
3. 
   3
   Rewash or retreat the stain if it remains. After the cycle is finished, look for any remaining sign of the blood stain. If the blood stain is still visible, do not dry it. Instead, try a different method of removal or wash your jeans again.

   • If you've gotten the stain out of your jeans, dry your jeans as usual and wear with confidence!
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Warnings

• You’re at the greatest risk of catching a bloodborne disease through a poke, cut, or open area on your skin. Still, to be safe, when handling blood that is not yours, wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from possible bloodborne diseases.
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• Never mix ammonia and chlorine bleach as it will result in hazardous fumes.
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