Clean Blood Stains from Leather

Blood stains are usually tricky to remove, as blood is known to be one of the toughest stains to deal with. Trying to remove blood from leather is even more difficult, since leather has a tendency to react to chemicals. Using stain removers which are too harsh may end up damaging the material. Whether you are trying to clean your leather jackets, bags or sofas, it is important to know the proper cleaning materials to use, so as not to damage your leather items.

Steps

Soap and Water Method

For fresh stains, soap and water is usually enough to remove the stain. Choose a soap that is mild enough for leather.

  1. Take a bowl of cold water. Squirt about two drops of mild dish washing detergent into the water. Swish the solution until it suds up.
  2. Dip a sponge or a washcloth into the soap solution. Make sure that the sponge or washcloth picks up enough of the cleaning solution, but is not dripping wet.
  3. Gently rub at the stained area with the sponge or washcloth. Rub in such a manner that the stain is not spread further to other areas of the leather.
  4. Repeat the process of dipping the sponge or washcloth in the soap solution and rubbing at the stain until it is fully removed.
  5. Use another piece of dry washcloth to wipe the cleaned area dry.
  6. Apply some leather conditioner to the stained area once it has been dried.

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

This method may be used for more stubborn blood stains which have already dried and cannot be removed completely with soap and water. Make sure to test out a small area of the leather first before proceeding to apply the chemical to the rest of the stain.

  1. Apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on a dry washcloth, until a small portion of it is saturated.
  2. Dab the washcloth on a small portion of the leather item to test for any reaction.
  3. Wait for the test spot to bubble. Once bubbles start to form on the area, wipe it dry with another washcloth.
  4. Wait for about 5 minutes for any possible chemical reaction, such as discoloration or cracking, on the leather material. If none occurs, you may proceed to use the hydrogen peroxide on the stain itself.
  5. Repeat the process used on the test spot on the stain itself. Saturate a portion of the washcloth with hydrogen peroxide. Dab the washcloth on the stained portion of the leather.
  6. Use another piece of dry cloth to wipe the stained area once bubbles start to form. Once the stain has been removed completely, wipe the stained area with another cloth dampened with water, then wipe dry.
  7. Apply leather conditioner on the stained area once it has dried, to preserve the condition of the leather.

Tips

  • Try to remove the blood stain from your leather item right away, while it is still fresh and easier to remove, instead of waiting for it to dry.
  • If the blood stain has already dried, and the hydrogen peroxide method has caused your leather item to react, it is best to let professional leather cleaners handle the cleaning job.

Warnings

  • Avoid using hot water when removing the blood stains, as heat would tend to set the stain.
  • Before applying any cleaning agent to the whole stained area, make sure to test out a small portion first to see whether the leather would react.
  • Check for any precautions on the hydrogen peroxide label before use.

Things You’ll Need

  • Bowl with cold water
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Sponges or washcloths
  • Leather conditioner
  • Hydrogen peroxide

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Sources and Citations

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