question from my grandma
 

My grandma is very sick and in the hospital. She took her embroidery work and is finishing a tablerunner and accidently got some spots of blood on it from her IV line. She is very upset and doesnt know how to get it out and feels it is ruined. It was gonna be a present for my sibling. I told her I would ask you sweet people if you had any ideas on how to remove blood stains from very white embroidery linens.
Thank you very much it is much appreciated.

I just removed some blood spots from a quilt with Hydrogen Peroxide on a cotton ball. It came out real easy.

There was just a discussion about this here on the Board. Just do a search for "removing blood" and all the great suggestions should come up. Good LucK!

Ask a nurse what they use to get blood out. They should joyce jhave some idea.

If plain old COLD water doesn't do the trick, then go for the peroxide. Try the lightest water/peroxide solution you can first and work your way up full strength peroxide. Make sure you rinse the fabric thoroughly with cold water after as the peroxide can deteriorate fabric over time.

I have had wonderful results with Oxi Clean laundry Stain Remover on blood stains. Just spray a little on the spots and it bubbles up and then rinse out. I have also cleaned old quilt blocks with the same results.

For future reference -

This sounds unusual, but is an OLD trick...
When you prick your finger and get blood on what you are working on, use a little of your own saliva on the spot immediately. For some reason, it takes out the spot.

Her own salivia will remove "her" own blood. If it's only a couple of small spots it should be easy. The other thing is peroxide.

Her own saliva.

Saliva?! I had no clue! Great tip. I usually resort to peroxide.

Tell her to put some thread rolled into a ball, put it in her mouth and get it wet with saliva. This is if it is a small place. And dab it over and over . I think the enzymes [i think] in the saliva will take it out. Otherwise listen to the other wise women and men on here.

This will do it!

This works because enzymes in blood and saliva are same

All of the above.. and we all hope she gets better real soon!

hydrogen peroxide will remove blood stains. I'm surprised that your grandmother does not know that.

Learn something new every day. Of course, spit is often my emergency "cleaner" anyway since it's always handy.

wow I'll have to remember that information for some reason I was thinking cold salt water

I am a nurse, and we always used peroxide. Works every time. The spit works, but it takes a lot of spit. Hope she gets better quickly.
Sue

I too find Oxy Clean the best stain remover ever. I use it for everything.

I have a habit of getting blood on me, and the thing that works the best is Oxiclean, or generic of.. diluted in hot water..

Oxy works because it is peroxide based. :)

removing blood
 

The reason your own saliva takes out your own blood is because they both have the same DNA. You won't believe this, but I was doing alteration for a doctor and he was relating how sometimes in surgery he got blood from the patient on his undershirt. I said he should stop the surgery & spit on his shirt. haha Then I asked 'wasn't it true that your own saliva would remove your own blood', and it was because the DNA was the same. He said he didn't know!!! I was so surprised that he didn't.

I use hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip. That way you can dab it just where you need it. And be sure to rinse with water.

Might want to test it to make sure it doesn't damage the fabric if you have a sample piece of fabric. Hope your grandmother feels better soon.

thank you, I pray she feels better 2 soon, she's been through soo much with bladder cancer. she means so much to me.

thank everyone so much for the tips , I am passing them along.

Sometimes cold water will take out blood - especially if one gets to it right away.

I had always heard that you can remove your own blood stains by using your own spit....sounded weird, but it works. I am always poking myself with pins and now and again end up with a small stain on my sewing.

one's saliva contains the necessary enzymes to dissolve one's own blood--that's why this works.

Dreft baby soap removed blood from my daughter's favorite shirt more than 3 weeks after an auto accident
nanac

we all pray your Grandma feels better soon and hope the tricks for removing the stain works and yes i have used salvia to remove blood stains

When I first got into quilting it was suggested to keep about 12" of thread in your mouth---if you do get blood on your project--put the little wet ball on it and it will be gone. I have used this method and it had worked every time.
Jan

Recently when I left the hospital they pulled out my IV line releasing a flood of blood which soaked my blouse and the nurses. They told me to us Hydrogen Peroxide to take it out because that's what they use. It worked.

I've taken blood out of white carpet using peroxide with great results!

this really works...when you prick yourself with a needle, spit on it immediately....

I know this might sound strange, but if you get your blood on something, if you would put your saliva on it and work it with your finger, it will take out the blood. Of course, your grandmother would have to do it, since it is hers.

Obviously I was late in posting this!!

I am an RN. Your own saliva will remove your own blood.
SandyQuilter

Amonia will take it out and not5 harn the fabric.

I agree with Quilt Mom. The "spit" has always worked for me.

This works great learned it when step father was in the hosp.

I know if I prick a finger and get blood on a fabric I just use my own spit. Put some on my finger and put on the spot. Usually comes out right away. It has to be the spit of the person who bled on it. I'm not sure if it works on dried blood but could be worth a try. Can't remember where I learned this but it truly does work.
I apologize if this grosses anyone out.

Works great!