When you have bloodstains on a pair of shoes your first instinct might be to throw them out. We will show you how to get blood out of shoes in five different ways. Our favorite bloodstain removers after testing are hydrogen peroxide or Wine Away.
If you have children, then you understand their susceptibility to getting bruises, bumps, and bloody. A few minutes of fun and games outside can result in skinned knees and blood trickling down their legs and onto their shoes.
Lifting blood stains from shoes can be daunting, particularly on shoes with a multitude of nooks and crannies that blood can seep into.
Before you throw away a good pair of shoes, there are few techniques you employ to remove these stains. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of how to get blood out of shoes. Read on!
Required Items
Here’s what you’ll need to lift those stubborn bloodstains.
Hydrogen Peroxide
For new and old stains, hydrogen peroxide gets the job done in eliminating blood from shoes. Moreover, it does so without damaging the fabric of the shoes.
Clean Cloth
Depending on the level of staining, you’ll need a boatload of rags or cloths to get the blood-stained shoes spick and span. Rather than white, dark-colored cloths or rags are an ideal option as they are easier to clean afterward.
Dish Soap
It’s no secret that dish soap can lift nearly all types of stains. Therefore, it comes in handy for getting rid of stubborn bloodstains.
Water
It mixes with soap and is useful in rinsing off the shoe after the bloodstain has been eliminated.
Protective Gloves
Non-slip gloves come in handy because handling blood is unsanitary, particularly if it’s someone else’s blood.
How to Remove Blood Stains from Shoes
Removing blood stains from shoes is as easy as following the steps below.
1. Blot the Stain
Use a damp cloth to blot the stain. As you do so, fight the urge to scrub it as that will make it smudge. Regardless of whether the stain is dried blood or fresh, a damp cloth will lift some of it, making the cleaning process easier. Remember to use a clean part of cloth or new cloth every time it gets soiled to avoid smearing blood on the unstained parts of the shoes.
2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Pour a small quantity of hydrogen peroxide onto a clean, dry cloth. We recommend conducting a patch test on a hidden area of the shoe to confirm whether or not the peroxide will damage the fabric of the shoes. Typically, it won’t affect the material of the shoes.
Nonetheless, ensure you’re dubbing rather than scrubbing, as the latter will make the stain even more stubborn. As a tip, attack large stains from the edge, making your way inward to avoid smudging it on the rest of the shoe, making it harder to clean.
3. Rinse with Water
Use a clean cloth to rinse the shoe with water and leave it to air-dry. If hydrogen peroxide effectively lifted the stain, you won’t see any stained area or remaining residue on the shoe. However, if you rinse the shoe with water, let it air dry, and if you notice some leftover blood, you can repeat the process with hydrogen peroxide until the stain is entirely gone.
Remember not to use any heat when you leave the shoes to dry during the stain removal process. Heat will damage the shoe fabric and result in the stain setting in deeper into the material, making it nearly impossible to remove entirely.
4. Scrub with Soapy Water
After ensuring that the blood stain has been removed entirely, dampen another clean cloth with water and soap or some laundry detergent, and gently scrub the spot where the stain was. Repeat the process as many times as you need to remove the stain completely.
If the stain seeped into the nooks and crannies that are difficult to access, here’s where a toothbrush comes into play. It’s at this point that you have free rein to scrub the shoe to get it spick and span without the risk of ruining the fabric or a permanent bloodstain. When done, you can also throw the shoes in the washing machine.
5. White Vinegar
If you’re on the quest for a natural blood stain remover, white vinegar is right up your alley as it can dissolve the stain. You might require soaking it in the vinegar for up to 30 minutes before rinsing the shoe with cold water, then repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
Allow the shoes to air-dry for a few days to get rid of the strong smell of vinegar. If the white vinegar doesn’t cut it, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste and apply it directly to the stain. Allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes before rinsing it with vinegar.
6. Wine Away
As a natural wine stain remover, Wine Away is a beast at getting rid of those stubborn bloodstains. Once you apply the remover on the stain, allow it to sit for up to 20 minutes before you rinse it off with water. Then, the natural enzymes gobble the stain, getting the shoes looking brand new.
7. Lemon and Baking Soda
Lemon juice is an excellent lightening agent. Mix one part baking soda and one part lemon juice. Blot the mixture onto the blood stain and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. Then, rinse off the stain with water or use a damp cloth to wipe it off. Repeat the process as many times as you need to lift the stain completely and get the shoes back in tiptop condition.
8. Coca-Cola
The phosphoric acid coupled with the carbonation in Coca-Cola can work magic on bloodstains. Pour a cup of coke directly onto the stain and allow it to sit until you notice it’s gone. Based on how bad the stain is, that might take up to 3 hours. Rinse off the coke with cold water or wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
Avoid Warm Water
Don’t use hot or warm water to remove a bloodstain. You may not realize that hot and warm water ‘cook’ the proteins contained in the blood into the fabric it has stained, making it nearly impossible to remove completely. Therefore, when using water, ensure it is cold or room temperature to prevent the stain from setting into the material.
Closing Remarks
Bloodstains can be a headache to deal with. Nonetheless, blood stain removal is not impossible. All it takes is a little more effort and precision to avoid damaging your shoes further. Armed with the knowledge of how to get blood out of shoes, you can remove blood stains with ease the next time you’re in a messy situation.
