How To Get Fish Blood Out Of Clothes (No ‘Fishy’ Tips Here!)
Without a doubt, fishing is one of the best ways to unplug during the weekend. Beyond that, it is an excellent outdoor activity for the whole family too.
However, at the end of a long day on the lake, you might find your favorite fishing shirt spotted with a few fish blood stains. And removing blood stains from fabric can be a tough task.
The good news is, there are some easy and effective ways to remove fish blood.
The first step for removing blood stains is to soak the garment in cold water. Then you can rub the spot with salt, or use some dish soap. For old and stubborn stains, try using enzyme-based laundry detergents or a paste of meat tenderizer.
How To Get Fresh Fish Blood Out of Clothes
Fact is, fresh blood stains are easier to remove than old ones. So soak up the stain in cold water at the earliest. If you have access to running water, great. Place the spot under the flow and wash out as much of the stain as possible.
If you have some salt on the fishing boat try rubbing some of it onto the spot, Then soak it in cold water for a few minutes. If you wear contact lenses, the saline solution can come in handy on the boat. Use a few drops of the solution on the spot for cleaning.
One item that you may have with you is a can of cola. The presence of carbon dioxide and phosphoric acid in some colas makes them act as good cleaning agents. Soak the spot with cola and scrub gently. Wait for a few minutes before washing in cold water.
Chances are, the stain will still remain after the initial cleaning. Time to move to the next stage.
Once the stain is washed, use hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner. Rub the spot with a microfiber soaked in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice can also be used in the same way.
Next, wash the spot with cold water and check if the stain is gone. Redo the process if necessary. Additionally, you can use a bar of soap or a liquid handwashing detergent for cleaning up the stain.
Another item you can use is baking soda. Make a small paste of water and baking soda, and apply it on the spot. Let it sit for a few hours and then wash with cold water.
Here are a few points that you need to note.
How To Get Dried Fish Blood Stains Out Of Clothes
If the stain has settled down, not all hope is lost. However, it will take some more time and effort to remove it.
For a large stain, use a blunt knife to scrape off all the excess dried particles from the area. After that take the following steps.
- Prepare a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon ammonia in 1 quart of warm water. Soak the clothing in this liquid for 15 minutes. Do not discard the mixture at this stage.
- Take out the clothing and rub the backside of the stain gently to remove it. Soak it again in the mixture for another 15 minutes.
- Rinse the fabric with water. If the stain is still there, spray an eco-friendly bleach alternative containing enzymes on the spot. Enzymes can help in breaking up the components in blood and remove stubborn spots. Let the detergent sit for an hour and then launder the clothing.
The other weird but effective cleaning agent you can use to remove old fish blood stains is powdered meat tenderizer.
The reason behind that is the presence of an enzyme called bromelain that converts proteins into amino acids. In addition, meat tenderizers also contain some amount of salt. This makes it an effective choice as a stain remover.
Make a paste of unseasoned meat tenderizer in water and use it on the stain. Scrub the spot gently for a few seconds. Then, let the product work on the stain for two hours. Finally, wash the garment in cold water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can vinegar remove blood stains?
White vinegar can be used to remove blood stains. The acetic acid in vinegar acts as an effective stain remover.
What will soak blood out of clothes?
It is best to soak the stain in cold water at the earliest. In addition, try sponging it with hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar.
Does dish soap remove blood stains?
You can try dish soap on fresh bloodstains. Using dish soap alone will not remove old and stubborn stains. Try using a mixture of liquid detergent and ammonia on dried stains.