Blood stains, what works

Short answer: Use cold water straight away. Blood is a protein stain, and warm water makes the protein bond firmly to the fibre, which makes the stain much harder to remove afterwards.

Why blood is a protein stain

Blood contains protein, and protein behaves differently from grease or dye. As long as the stain is cold and damp, it can be rinsed out. Once it warms up, the protein sets and sticks to the fibres. So it is mostly about temperature and time. The sooner you start with cold water, the better your chances.

Cold water, never warm

Rinse the stain under cold running water from the inside of the garment. The water then pushes the stain out the way it came in, instead of driving it deeper. Do not rub hard. Let the water do the work. This applies to everything in women's bamboo joggers, where the fabric is soft and slightly thicker.

Dab, do not rub

If there is no running water nearby, dab the stain with a cold, wet cloth. Work from the edge towards the centre so the stain does not spread. Hard rubbing can wear the surface of soft fabrics and push the blood over a larger area. Move to a clean part of the cloth once it picks up colour, and keep going.

Soaking dried blood

If the stain has dried, soak the garment in cold water with a little detergent for one to two hours. The water softens the dried protein so it can loosen from the fibre again. Squeeze the fabric gently now and then. This also works on women's bamboo tops, where a stain often sits near the neckline.

A little detergent on the stain

After rinsing or soaking, apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the wet fabric. Work it in gently with your fingers and leave it for ten to fifteen minutes. The detergent helps loosen the last traces of protein. Rinse again in cold water and check what is left before the garment goes into the machine.

Wash at a low temperature

Once the stain is treated, wash the garment as usual. Choose a low temperature the first time so any traces are not set by heat. Turn it inside out and wash it with similar colours. If the stain is gone after washing, you can follow the care label from then on.

Do not dry until it is gone

Always check the result before drying. Heat from a tumble dryer, radiator or direct sun can fix a trace so it no longer washes out. If a shadow remains, repeat the treatment and wash again. The same goes for Copenhagen Bamboo bestsellers, which are worn often and washed many times.

When the stain will not fully go

Some stains leave a faint shadow, especially if they sat for a long time or met heat. Repeating the treatment a few times often helps. Be patient and avoid harsh products that can damage colour or fabric. A small shadow on everyday clothing is rarely noticeable once you are wearing it.

Frequently asked questions

Does hydrogen peroxide help

On white fabric it can be used with care, but it can bleach coloured fabric. Always test it first on a small hidden spot, such as inside a seam.

Why should you not use warm water

Because heat makes the protein in blood coagulate and bond to the fibre. The stain then becomes much harder to remove, even with a stain remover.

Can old bloodstains be removed

Often partly. The longer they have sat and the more heat they have had, the harder it gets. Soaking in cold water is the best place to start.