Some homeowners have been convinced that using baking soda is not an effective way to tackle dried blood on the carpet. Reason? They say it is abrasive and hence, should be mostly used for cleaning hard surfaces.
However, if you follow certain procedures, you may be able to use baking soda to get dried blood out of your carpet.
Method 1: Use a Baking Soda and water Mixture
You can clean the dried blood stains if you combine baking soda with water. The items needed are:
- Cold water
- Baking soda
- Two clean clothes
Directions:
a. Pre-Treat the Dried Blood Stains
Do not be in a hurry to clean the carpet, if you have not pretreated it. Of course, the stains might have been there for some time, but there is a chance you’ll lift some off without using the baking soda mixture yet.
Do these:
- Dab at the stained part of the carpet with a clean cloth. Do so until you lift a considerable size of the dried blood.
- Next, wet the cloth with water and use it to gently blot (not rub) the stains. You would be able to remove most of the excesses.
b. Make a DIY Baking Soda Solution
You can now prepare the baking soda solution, using the 1:2 ratio – one part of cold water and two parts of baking soda.
Turn the two ingredients until a consistent paste is formed.
Alternatively: you can sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the dried blood spots on the carpet. Then, sprinkle water over it.
c. Work the Solution into the Spot
Whether you are using the paste method or sprinkling the bicarbonate soda – the best way to get the expected result is to work the solution into the stains.
Start from the outer part and work your way into the center – using a circular motion.
d. Let the Solution Work
Give the solution about 30 minutes heads-up to lift the dried blood stains, by penetrating the carpet’s fibers.
After 30 minutes, inspect the area to see if the solution has absorbed most of the blood. If it hasn’t, you may want to let it sit for some extra minutes.
e. Clear the Baking Soda Residues
When you confirm that the dried blood stains are entirely removed; you can then begin the process of tidying the carpet.
Do these:
- Vacuum the residues.
- Clean the carpet with a damp cloth. This takes care of the rest of the residues left behind after vacuuming.
Method #2: Use Vinegar and Baking Soda for Stubborn Stains
A combination of the two major pantry cleaners (baking soda and white vinegar) can prove to be an effective combo for tackling dried blood stains – especially the older ones.
In addition to being inexpensive, the two provide dual solutions – with the baking soda neutralizing and absorbing the stains and the vinegar acting as a stain-attacking agent.
Follow these methods to clear the stubborn dried stains, using a combination of vinegar and baking soda.
a. Gather the Items:
You need the following items:
- Spray bottle
- Warm water
- White vinegar
- Paper towels
- Baking soda and;
- A vacuum cleaner
b. Prepare the Vinegar Mixture
Get the spray bottle and add equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda. You can then pour a sizeable amount of warm water into the bottle. Shake to have them mixed properly.
c. Spray the Solution
Transfer the solution from the spray bottle to the carpet by spritzing. Be careful not to oversaturate the floor, lest you have another work on your hands – sopping at excess water.
When you are done saturating the dried blood stain with the solution; allow it to sit for about 30 minutes. That should be sufficient time for the mixture to absorb the dried stains.
Although, you can occasionally check to know when it has fully absorbed.
d. Scrub off the Dried Stains
Get a couple of paper towels and use those to scrub at the spot. You should be able to scrub off most of the stains.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Be gentle with the scrubbing, so you don’t strip the carpet’s fibers in the process.
- You need to inspect the area at intervals to be sure the scrubbing process lifts the dried blood stains out of the carpet.
e. Vacuum the Area
Get your vacuum cleaner and suck up the particles out of the area.
Note: vacuuming that part of the soiled carpet is usually the last step before cleaning with water. If the stains are still noticeable, you want to repeat the other steps until they are all gone. Wrap it up by cleaning it with a paper towel, made damp with water.
Method #3: Combine Hydrogen Peroxide with Baking Soda
Preparing a hydrogen peroxide solution and diluting it with baking soda can go a long way to aiding the removal of dried blood stains.
These are the required items:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Enzyme cleaner
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- Cold water
- Soft-bristle brush
- Spray bottle and;
- Paper towels (you can also use a few clean, absorbent clothes).
a. Remove Excess Dried Blood
You may be able to remove some of the dried blood stains by blotting. Follow these steps:
- Place some paper towels over the stained spot.
- Gently apply pressure, by placing your hands over the towels.
- Wait for a few minutes before lifting the towels and inspecting them. If some stains were lifted; it means that more can be lifted when you do it more.
- Turn to the other side of the paper towels or simply get new ones. Repeat the process.
b. Loosen the Stains
Before applying the cleaning solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and baking soda; do well to “prep” the stained area. Pour a little amount of cold water into the spray bottle – and spritz directly over the stained spot.
c. Use Your Liquid Dishwashing Soap
Apply small quantities of mild, liquid dishwashing soap over the stained area. Use your fingers to massage the soap into the carpet’s fibers.
d. Rinse the Carpet
The last two (2) procedures involved lifting the dried blood particles and working the soap into the carpet to further degrade the bloodstains.
Now, you can start the process of cleaning the carpet, by way of rinsing with clean water. This process helps to absorb the loosened blood particles while clearing the area of any soapy residues.
e. Introduce Hydrogen Peroxide into the Mix
Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide is best used in combination with other cleaning agents. That is because of the tendency to discolor the carpet.
Follow these directions to use it for cleaning dried blood stains:
Prepare the Mixture
Combine hydrogen peroxide 3% with cold water. Use equal parts for the mixture.
Do a Patch Test
Since a direct application of hydrogen peroxide could discolor the carpet; you must endeavor to do a patch test. This is a better way to test for the performance before wholly applying it to the rest of the carpet.
This is how to do it:
- Apply the solution to a smaller section of the carpet.
- Check for any color change or bleaching of the carpet.
- If none of these happened after a few minutes; know that the mixture is ready for use.
Apply & Blot
Pour a small amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution directly onto the stained part of the carpet. Even though it passed the patch test; you don’t want to leave it for long on the spot.
Gently blot the solution with the paper towels out of the spot after a few minutes. Keep at this until you are sure the stains have been removed.
Rinse the Area
Dip a cloth into clean water, wring out excess water, and use the damp cloth to wipe the area. Keep at it until the residues have been removed.
Use Baking Soda as a Neutralizer
It is now the time to use your bicarbonate soda. Use it both for neutralizing the bloodstains and odor-removal.
This is how to use it:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the area.
- Leave it overnight or allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes (if you are cleaning in the daytime).
Vacuum the Carpet
After a few minutes, get a vacuum cleaner to clear the baking soda and the residues out of the carpet.
Use the Enzyme Cleaner
It is a good idea to introduce an enzymatic cleaner if you have tried all the other methods and they didn’t bring off the bloodstain particles.
This cleaner is effective in the following ways:
- It breaks down the organic matter or proteins in the bloodstains.
- Enzyme cleaners can get rid of the dried blood particles faster.
To apply the cleaner, you should follow the instructions on the label. The instructions include:
- Spraying the cleaner directly onto the affected part of the carpet.
- Allowing a few minutes to pass to be sure the cleaner has broken down the proteins.
- Rinse the area with a damp cloth and;
- Blot-dry with a clean, dry cloth.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, it is possible to use baking soda (both neat and along with other cleaning agents) to remove dried blood from carpet.
If those methods didn’t work and the dried bloodstains aren’t lifting; it’d be a good idea to contact a professional carpet cleaning service provider to help address the stain.