How to Remove Blood Stains from Clothes

Blood is one of the most common — and most permanent — stains in household laundry, and the single biggest reason it sets for good is washing it wrong on the first attempt. Blood is a protein stain: it is held together by haemoglobin and albumin, both of which denature (literally cook) when exposed to heat. A 60°C wash, a tumble dry, or even an iron over a damp blood mark will bond the protein irreversibly to the fibre, which is why so many sheets, school shirts and football kits end up with brown shadows that never come out. The correct sequence is the opposite of instinct: cold water first to flush as much blood as possible, then a protease-rich enzyme treatment like Luniva to digest the protein bonds, then a low-temperature wash. This guide covers fresh blood, dried-in blood, period stains, nosebleeds on bedding, and what to do when a blood-stained garment has already been through the dryer once.

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Why blood stains set permanently if you wash them wrong

Blood is protein-based. Heat denatures the proteins and bonds them irreversibly to fabric fibres — which is why a hot wash or tumble-dry will lock a blood stain in for good. The fix is the opposite of intuition: rinse with cold water first, then use a protease-rich active enzyme treatment like Luniva to digest the protein, then wash on a low cycle. The same principle applies to other protein stains — egg, dairy, sweat, gravy — but blood reacts fastest, which is why it deserves its own playbook.

How to use Luniva on blood stains

Step 1 — Rinse with cold water: Hold the stained fabric under cold running water from the back of the stain to push blood out, not deeper in. Never use hot water.
Step 2 — Spray Luniva: Saturate the stain with Luniva. For dried blood, gently work the formula in with your fingers and leave for 5–10 minutes.
Step 3 — Wash at 30–40°C: Machine-wash at a maximum of 40°C and air dry. Inspect before tumble-drying — heat sets any residue permanently.

Compliance note: Based on controlled laboratory testing. Performance may vary by stain age, fabric type and wash conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Does Luniva remove fresh blood stains from clothes?

Yes. Rinse the fabric with cold water from the back of the stain, spray Luniva directly on, leave for 1–3 minutes, then wash at 30–40°C. Fresh blood almost always lifts in a single application.

Will Luniva remove dried, set-in blood stains?

Yes. For dried blood, saturate the stain with Luniva and let it sit for 5–10 minutes so the protease active enzymes can break down the bonded proteins. Wash at 40°C maximum. Repeat once if traces remain — and never tumble-dry between applications.

What temperature should I wash blood-stained clothes at?

30–40°C maximum. Anything hotter cooks the protein into the fabric and sets the stain permanently. Cold-water rinses before treatment are ideal.

Can Luniva remove blood stains from white sheets, shirts and uniforms?

Yes — and without bleach. Spray Luniva, leave for 5 minutes on whites for stronger lifting, then wash at 40°C. The active enzyme formula targets the protein causing the stain, not the fabric, so whites stay bright without fibre damage.

Is Luniva safe for blood stains on coloured or delicate fabrics?

Yes. Luniva is colour-safe and bleach-free. For silk, wool or other delicates, spot-test on a hidden seam first, then apply, wait 3 minutes, and hand-wash in cool water.

Will Luniva work on period stains, nosebleeds and small cuts on bedding?

Yes. For mattress pads, sheets and pillowcases, blot with cold water first, spray Luniva, leave 10 minutes, then either wash at 40°C or blot the area with a clean damp cloth for spot treatment.