You’re out and about in your favourite kicks, when suddenly you get a nosebleed or cut yourself. Before you know it, you’ve got blood on your shoes. While a blood stain may seem like a death sentence for your shoes, don’t panic! With the right techniques, you can get blood out of shoes and restore them to their original glory.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through 8 proven methods to remove blood from leather, suede, canvas, and other shoe materials. As an avid sneakerhead with over 15 pairs in my collection, I’ve dealt with my fair share of blood stains. After years of trial and error, I’ve discovered the best remedies for cleaning blood from shoes and making them look brand new.
Whether it’s fresh blood or a dried, set-in stain, this guide has got you covered. I’ll also provide tips tailored to different shoe materials like suede and canvas. With a bit of elbow grease and the right products, you can erase those nasty blood stains from your footwear. Let’s dive in!
How to Get Blood out Of Shoes of All Materials
When blood makes its way onto shoes, it can set into stiff, crusty stains as it oxidizes and bonds to fibres. The key is to act fast before it has a chance to dry and adhere. But even old, dried blood can be conquered with some persistence.
Follow these tips to get blood stains out of different shoe materials:
1. Remove Blood Stains with Dish Soap
One of the simplest and most effective ways to treat a blood stain on shoes is to use regular dish soap. The detergents in dish soap help break down the proteins in blood, allowing the stain to be lifted.
Start by rinsing the stained area with cold water to remove any excess blood. Apply a few drops of dish soap directly onto the stain and use an old toothbrush to work up a lather. Gently scrub at the stained fabric to break up the blood.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water. Repeat the process as needed until the stain has lifted. Make sure to avoid hot water as this can set blood stains. The dish soap method works well for lightly soiled shoes or recent stains that haven’t had time to set in fully.
2. Remove Blood Stains On Shoe with Baking Soda
For more stubborn blood spots on shoes, baking soda is an effective stain remover. It works as a gentle abrasive to lift discoloration without damaging the shoe material.
Start by covering the stain with a generous layer of baking soda. Using a damp sponge or toothbrush, gently rub the baking soda into the fabric. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the baking soda to work its magic.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water while scrubbing to remove all the baking soda paste. Check that the stain has lifted – if not, repeat the process until it fades away. Baking soda can be used on all shoe materials, but test a small area first to make sure it’s colorfast.
Thanks to its neutralizing properties, baking soda is ideal for cleaning dried or set-in blood stains on shoes.
3. Use Rubbing Alcohol on Blood Stains
Rubbing alcohol is a powerful disinfectant and cleaning agent ideal for removing blood stains, even on delicate materials like suede and canvas. It helps break down blood proteins and lift staining.
Start by dabbing rubbing alcohol directly onto the blood stained area using a clean white cloth or cotton ball. Let it soak in for a few minutes so it can go to work dissolving the blood.
Gently blot and rub at the stain to transfer it onto the cloth. Make sure to flip and rotate the cloth to a clean area as it absorbs the blood.
Once the stain has lifted, rinse the spot thoroughly with cool water. Apply a suede or canvas cleaner if needed to condition the shoe material after cleaning with alcohol.
4. Treat Dried Blood Stains with Vinegar
For stubborn, dried blood stains, vinegar is a handy cleaning solution. The acetic acid in vinegar helps dissolve residue and lift staining.
Make a cleaning solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part cool water. Using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, apply the vinegar solution liberally to the stained area.
Allow it to soak in for 10-15 minutes. Then scrub gently to loosen the stain. Blot with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Repeat as needed for tough, set-in stains. The vinegar solution can be used safely on leather, suede, canvas and most shoe materials. Always spot test first.
For leather shoes, condition the material after cleaning with vinegar to restore moisture. Vinegar can dry out leather over time.
5. Lift Blood Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another effective stain remover that helps whiten and deodorize shoes. Thanks to its effervescent properties, hydrogen peroxide can help lift blood stains from fabric.
Start by applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the stained area using a cotton ball. Let it bubble and fizz on the stain for 2-3 minutes.
Gently dab and blot the stain to lift it out as the peroxide reacts. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
For tougher stains, combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the solution onto the stain, let sit 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Repeat if needed.
Hydrogen peroxide is safe for most washable shoe materials. Avoid using it on leather, as it can cause discoloration over time. Always spot test first.
How To Remove Blood from Suede Shoes
Cleaning blood stains from suede shoes requires a gentle touch. Suede is delicate and can be damaged if scrubbed too aggressively. Follow these tips:
- Use a suede brush to lightly brush staining on the surface. This helps lift blood from the nap of the suede.
- Apply a suede cleaner or gently dab with rubbing alcohol using a clean white cloth. Never rub vigorously.
- For dried stains, lightly sprinkle baking soda onto the spot and let sit 15-20 minutes before brushing off.
- Avoid excessive moisture and let suede shoes fully air dry after cleaning to prevent water marks.
- Use a suede eraser bar after cleaning to restore the nap and color. Buff gently in short strokes.
- Waterproof suede shoes after cleaning to help repel future stains.
With care and the proper products, even stubborn blood stains can be removed from suede footwear.
Cleaning Blood Stain from White Canvas Shoes
White canvas sneakers like Chucks and Vans are prone to all kinds of stains. Luckily, blood spots can be cleaned from canvas without too much headache:
- Mix a solution of warm water, mild detergent, and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub stains.
- For tougher spots, apply a paste of baking soda and water. Let sit 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
- Hydrogen peroxide also helps lift blood from white canvas when applied directly to the stain.
- Speed up drying time for canvas shoes by stuffing with paper towels after cleaning.
- Whiten canvas stains by gently rubbing with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser while shoes are still damp.
- Wash and dry canvas shoes fully before wearing again to prevent blood stains from setting.
With the right cleaning methods, you can get even the most beat-up white canvas kicks looking fresh and clean.
Tips Remove Blood Stains from Leather Shoes
Leather shoes require careful cleaning to avoid damage and discolouration. Here are some tips for removing blood from leather:
- Gently dab stains on leather with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid scrubbing.
- Use a leather cleaner to break down blood stains and condition the material. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.
- For light suede leathers, use a suede brush and eraser bar to lift blood from the surface nap.
- Stuff shoes with paper towels after cleaning to draw out moisture and prevent stains from setting.
- Avoid using excessive water, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or harsh cleaners like bleach that can damage leather.
- Re-dye leather shoes if blood stains cause permanent discolouration that can’t be removed with cleaning.
With some TLC, even blood-soaked leather shoes can be restored. Proper maintenance and conditioning is key for stain-free leather kicks.
Conclusion
As you can see, removing blood stains from shoes is very doable with the right techniques and products. Whether it’s a fresh stain or an old set-in spot, there are solutions for lifting blood and restoring your shoes.
The key is using the proper cleaning method for your specific shoe material. Always spot test on an inconspicuous area first. With agents like dish soap, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, you can erase those nasty blood stains.
Restore suede, canvas and leather materials with care and condition them after cleaning. Avoid applying too much moisture or scrubbing aggressively at delicate fabrics.
With a bit of time and elbow grease, you can save your favorite shoes from the trash and get them looking fresh again after blood stains. Just stay calm, act quickly and let these methods lift those spots and drops from your footwear.
FAQ
How do you get dried blood out of shoes?
For dried and set-in blood stains on shoes, try applying vinegar or hydrogen peroxide directly to the spot. Let soak 5-10 minutes before gently scrubbing and rinsing with cool water. Old stains may require repeat applications and scrubbing. Baking soda can also help lift dried blood when applied as a thick paste.
What removes blood stains permanently?
Enzyme-based stain removers work well to permanently eliminate blood stains by breaking down blood proteins. Look for products containing proteases as the active ingredient. Dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar also help destroy blood proteins to lift staining permanently when used properly.
Does baking soda remove blood stains?
Yes, baking soda is highly effective at removing blood stains, especially dried and set-in spots. Make a paste with water and apply it to the stain. Let sit 15-20 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The abrasive grains of baking soda help lift blood while the alkaline composition helps dissolve and neutralize staining.
How do you get blood out of white shoes?
Make a solution of warm water, mild detergent like dish soap, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub blood stains on white shoes. For tougher stains, apply a baking soda paste and let sit before scrubbing. Hydrogen peroxide can also help lift blood from white canvas and leather shoes.
Can you get blood out of suede?
Yes, blood can be removed from suede shoes with care and the proper techniques. Use a suede brush to lightly brush up the nap first. Then gently dab rubbing alcohol onto the stain using a white cloth, never rubbing vigorously. For dried stains, apply baking soda and brush off after 15-20 minutes. Condition with suede protector when dry.
How do you clean old blood stains?
For cleaning old, dried blood stains that have set into fabric, soak the stain in cold water first to rehydrate it. Then apply hydrogen peroxide or diluted vinegar and let it sit on the spot for 10 minutes before dabbing and scrubbing. You can also rub the stain gently with a paste of meat tenderizer and cold water. Rinse thoroughly once stain is removed.
How do you clean blood stains out of car seats?
Act quickly to avoid permanent staining. First, blot up excess blood from car seats. Mix a solution of cold water and enzyme-based stain remover. Use a sponge to gently scrub the solution into the stain. Blot with towels and rinse with cold water repeatedly until the stain fades. Avoid harsh scrubbing. Upholstery cleaners also help eliminate dried blood stains on car seats.
