Removing blood stains

[ArthurWood]

Can anyone suggest a method for removing bloodstains from vinyl upholstery. I 've tried just about everything short of conc sulphuric acid with no success. (No, Peterg, I was not attacked by a local!)

 

[Twister_Ken]

I remember at school that hydrogen peroxide made blood foam. Of course, it might do the same to vinyl!

 

[ArthurWood]

Ken - Thanks, but I tried that and neither foamed. Unfortunately I didn't notice the stain until it had soaked in.

 

[steve_cronin]

Have you tried phosphoric acid Arthur?

It removes blood from gelcoat & teak.

Incidentally, I thought that you did your daily flogging on the foredeck these days like I do. How did you get blood on the upholstery?

Steve Cronin

 

[ArthurWood]

Hi Steve - yes, I have tried that too, without success.
It wasn't a result of flogging this time; a guy I had do some work on the boat must have done the first drip and I did the other. I never seem to be able to do any work in the engine compartment without knocking a chunk out of a finger, elbow etc. Trouble is, this time I didn't notice I had dripped until some time later, by which time it had soaked in and the heat (mustn't mention that hot thing in the sky by name; it upsets people in Cornwall and others around 52degN) baked it in.
Regards - Arthur, 27degN
p.s. are you coming this way during the winter?

 

[Guest]

My old Gran swears by soaking it in cold water, not hot as this sets it, whatever that means. The Readers Digest manual suggests Enzyme detergent suds. My packet of BioTex says it is suitable for blood. I'm sure there must be others.

 

[johnt]

Have you tried Oxalyc acid? good with ironstains I believe, might work with your problem. Red cells, iron in the blood and all that

 

[Guest]

You\'ll never get away with it ! NM

NM

 

[ArthurWood]

Re: You\'ll never get away with it ! NM

Daft of me to reveal what the marks really are, eh...........
Must have been a senior moment. Now to think of an alibi or two....., but I'm going to bed now, 11.20pm local time.

 

[ArthurWood]

Thanks

Thanks to all who responded. I'll try oxalic acid and some enzyme stuff in the next few days and let you know what happens.

 

[Guest]

Re: Thanks

Soaking in salt water works well on clothes, but I've only ever done it when the blood was fresh.