Blood stains from fabric coverings are quite difficult to remove, especially if cleaning measures are not taken immediately. And if clothes can be soaked, washed properly, rinsed and dried, then completely different methods are needed for furniture. Let’s consider how to wash blood from a sofa.
Important points
Measures to remove stains may differ depending on the upholstery material, age and extent of contamination, but in any case, the following nuances must be taken into account:
- Do not use hot water, it provokes blood clotting, which makes it much more difficult to wash it off.
- Apply cleaning agents not to the contaminated area, but to a sponge, brush or cloth napkin.
- Do not wet upholstered furniture with water more than necessary.
- Wear rubber gloves when using aggressive detergents.
- When removing detergent residues from the material, wet a sponge with water, not the upholstery fabric.
- In order not to increase the size of the stain, rub from its edges inward, having previously wetted the surface, if the blood is fresh.
- Quick drying of upholstered furniture is facilitated by ventilation of the room in which it is located.
- If you use aggressive chemicals, do not mix different substances. Also, test the mixture on an inconspicuous area of the sofa before use.

How to wash blood stains from fabric covering
Fabric upholstery of a sofa is the most common covering of upholstered furniture and the most problematic in terms of cleaning from most stains. Blood stains are no exception, but using the methods described below, the cleaning procedure can be made more effective and faster.
Soap and water
Fresh stains can be easily cleaned with household soap and cool water:
- Wet a cloth napkin or sponge in clean, cold water and wash the affected area, rubbing it from the edges to the center.
- We make a soapy solution and continue to wash with it.
- When finished, rinse and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
At all stages, we use only cold water, the colder it is, the less viscous the contamination will be.
Gel for dishes
This tool is even suitable for washing congealed blood from the sofa:
- We make a solution by adding half a glass of gel for dishes to a glass of water.
- We apply the prepared mixture to the contaminated fabric upholstery and leave it for half an hour.
- Gently rub the stain with a soft toothbrush, without resorting to strong pressure.
- Wash off the remains of the mixture with clean water and wipe with a dry cloth.
Aspirin for light fabrics
If the upholstery of the sofa is in light colors, a popular medicinal product will help to wipe the blood from it.
- Dissolve 5 aspirin tablets in a glass of water, the process will be somewhat faster if the tablets are first crushed;
- Cover the surface to be cleaned with the prepared mixture and leave for 20 minutes;
- Wash off the remains and wipe dry (as much as possible) with a cloth.
Table salt
A universal detergent is available for use in every kitchen. To quickly remove traces from the sofa, you need:
- Prepare a saline solution at the rate of 2 tablespoons per half liter of liquid;
- Abundantly wet the bloody place with the prepared composition and leave for half an hour;
- Wipe with a dry cloth and vacuum.
If necessary, the procedure should be repeated, after which wash the stain with detergent and rinse.
Borax with ammonia
The complex use of these two remedies from the first-aid kit will help get rid of dried blood stains.
- Add 1 tablespoon of borax to 200 g of water and mix thoroughly. We also do it with a tablespoon of ammonia, only in a separate glass.
- Wipe alternately with each solution, starting with borax. Use a toothbrush for cleaning. We continue the procedure until the stains are completely removed.
- The remains of the mixture are washed off with water and wiped with a dry cloth.
Hydrogen peroxide
An antiseptic medical preparation will save even in those situations when all other methods did not lead to a positive result. To wash off the blood with it, do the following:
- Moisten a cotton or gauze pad with peroxide and apply it to the problem area.
- Hold the lotion for 30 seconds, then remove the foam with a clean, damp cloth.
If the desired result is not achieved the first time, we repeat the procedure, wiping the contamination with a soft toothbrush.

Artificial leather cover
To remove blood stains from artificial or natural leather, you should not use aggressive chemicals and hot cleaning, as this can spoil the upholstery of the sofa. In the best case, the dye will be washed away, in the worst case, significant deformations of the coating are possible.
Ammonia and liquid soap will help remove a blood stain of any age.
- Dilute a tablespoon of liquid soap and a teaspoon of ammonia in a glass of cold water.
- Apply the solution liberally to the contaminated area with a cotton or gauze swab.
- Treat the stain with a soft toothbrush.
- Wash off the remains with a sponge dipped in clean water, then wipe.
If necessary, the procedure can be repeated.
Genuine leather
The methods described below will help remove the stain from the leather sofa .
- We make a soapy solution using shavings of household soap (a quarter of a bar per 1 liter of water), wipe the stain with a sponge and wash it off with clean water.
- An effective method for dry spots. Mix tartar with lemon juice (1 part of stone, 2 parts of juice). Apply to the surface to be cleaned, wait 10 minutes, rub with a soft toothbrush, rinse and wipe with a cloth.
- Add a teaspoon of gel for dishes and 5 drops of ammonia to a glass of water. We apply a thoroughly foamed mixture on the stain, leave it for half an hour, then wash it off and wipe it dry.
Getting rid of traces of blood is quite simple, if you pay attention to the problem in time. Of course, a lot depends on the covering – fabric upholstery is a little more difficult to clean than leather surfaces. But, using the methods described above, it will not be difficult to put your favorite sofa or chair in order.
If you want quick and simple solutions, you should resort to special means for removing stains, which are available in a large assortment at the relevant sales points. As a last resort, you can turn to professionals who will remove any contamination without a trace, but this implies certain costs and, of course, specialists will not come immediately.
