How to Remove Blood Stains from Silk Fabric

Co-authored by Robert Shapiro and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: November 7, 2022 References

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Getting blood on any fabric is frustrating, but getting it on a delicate fabric like silk is even more alarming. Don't panic though. It's possible to get blood stains out of silk, even if they've already dried. We'll walk you through the best, most effective ways to get blood stains out of silk whether they're fresh or already dry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Dried Blood Stains from Silk

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1
Mix dishwashing detergent, cold water, and glycerin (or vegetable oil). Pour 1 part glycerin, 1 part dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts cold water into a bowl or spray bottle. Then, stir the mixture or put the lid on and shake the bottle to combine the solution.^{[1]
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- You can buy a bottle of glycerin at most supermarkets or online. In a pinch, you could use vegetable oil although it may not be as effective as pure glycerin.
- If you'd rather buy a custom product to treat your tough bloodstain, shop for a blood protein remover.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Robert Shapiro
  Laundry Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} Follow the manufacturer's instructions for diluting the product and apply it the same way you'd use the solution.
- If you want to try a home remedy, mix meat tenderizer powder with water to make a thick paste and spread it on the stain.^{[3]
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  Research source} The tenderizer contains enzymes that break apart the bloodstain but don't leave it on too long or it could damage the silk fabric.
You can use a soft cloth or a sponge as long as it's large enough to cover the bloodstain. Leave it in place until the stain lifts. You can check it after a few minutes—don't let the pad or fabric dry.^{[4]
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3
Blot the silk fabric with cold water to remove the solution. Remove the pad and get out a clean sponge. Dip it in cold water and press it onto the silk. Keep dabbing the treated fabric to get all of the solution out.^{[5]
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- If you used the meat tenderizer paste, you may want to rinse the fabric under running water. This can be easier than rubbing the paste out of the silk.
4
Wash your silk sheets or clothes and let them air dry. You can wash them by hand in a bowl of cold water or on the cold gentle cycle in your washing machine. Always read the care instruction tag to see what they recommend. Then, lay out or hang your clean silk fabric and let it air dry completely.^{[6]
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- Some silk items might recommend taking them to the dry cleaner for professional cleaning.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Treating a Fresh Stain with Cold Saltwater

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1
Blot the excess blood with a cloth. Try to remove the stain as soon as you notice blood on the fabric—you'll be able to prevent a deep-set stain if you act quickly! Take a cloth or paper towel and press it down on the stain so it absorbs the blood. Keep doing this until the cloth or paper towel won't absorb any more blood.^{[7]
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- Resist the urge to scrub the stain with your cloth or paper towel since this makes the stain spread.
2
Mix 1 tsp (5 g) of salt with 1 c (240 ml) of cold water. To mix a stain-fighting solution using pantry ingredients, combine the salt with cold water until the salt is completely dissolved.^{[8]
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- If you're treating a larger stain, just double or triple the amounts.
3
Sponge the stain with the saltwater solution. Dip a clean sponge into the saltwater and squeeze it just to remove excess water. Then, dab the sponge onto the stain so the saltwater works into the fabric.^{[9]
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- To prevent the stain from spreading, don't rub the sponge back and forth on the silk.
4
Rinse the silk with cold water. You can either hold the fabric directly under cold running water to rinse out the blood or blot the fabric with a wet, damp sponge. Keep rinsing or blotting until you remove as much of the stain as possible.^{[10]
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- Never use hot water to treat a bloodstain or you'll accidentally set it.
5
Blot the fabric dry and repeat the process if the stain is still there. Press a dry cloth on the treated area to remove as much of the water as possible. Then, look at the fabric to see if the stain is gone. If it's still there, repeat the process or try our troubleshooting method for tough bloodstains.^{[11]
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- If the stain is gone, great! Just lay your silk fabric flat to air dry completely.

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Tips

If you take your silk fabric to a professional dry cleaner, they'll usually treat the bloodstain with blood and protein remover.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Robert Shapiro
Laundry Specialist

Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.}

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Pretest the solutions you are going to use on a small, inconspicuous spot of the silk fabric to ensure there's no discoloration or damage to the fibers.

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Warnings

Avoid using ammonia to clean silk since it damages the delicate fibers.^{[13]
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Remember, hot water will set a bloodstain, so always use cold water when treating silk.^{[14]
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