Lyla Dejesus
A stain on your wedding dress can be a bride's worst nightmare, but it doesn't have to ruin your big day. There are several ways to remove blood stains from a wedding dress, depending on the fabric and the severity of the stain. It's important to act quickly, as the longer a stain sets in, the harder it will be to remove. Here are some tips and tricks to help you remove blood stains from your wedding dress and prevent any last-minute disasters.
How to remove blood stains from a wedding dress
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Avoid potential contaminants by storing the dress away from people and pets. Choose attire that makes sense for your location. |
| Stain treatment | Mix a drop of mild dishwashing detergent and ammonia in a cup of water and apply. Alternatively, use a mixture of cool water and hydrogen peroxide, or your own saliva. |
| Stain camouflage | Baking soda, corn starch, or baby powder can help hide a stain. |
| General advice | Stay calm and test the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the dress first. Separate the layers of the gown and put a white towel underneath to absorb from beneath. Avoid rubbing the fabric to prevent tearing. |
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What You'll Learn
Act fast: treat blood stains immediately
The first thing to remember is to stay calm and act quickly. Wedding dresses are often made from natural fibres such as silk, which absorb spills, so the longer a stain is left, the harder it will be to remove.
If you get blood on your wedding dress, you can treat the stain with a mixture of cool water and hydrogen peroxide. First, place a white cloth under the underside of the dress, then drop peroxide onto the stain and dab with another white cloth. Keep dabbing until the stain is gone and remember to rotate the cloth underneath as the stain is lifted. You can also try saliva—place a small amount of saliva on the stain and it should come out. It is always a good idea to test any cleaning solution on a small area of the dress first to ensure the colour of the dress is not affected.
If you are dealing with a grease stain, mix a solution of one part dish soap and one part white vinegar. Place a white towel or absorbent cloth under the fabric and lightly tap on the stain with a Q-tip or rag dipped in the solution. This will push the stain through to the cloth underneath. For oil stains, sprinkle the stain with baby powder to help soak up the oil. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then brush the powder away.
For lipstick stains, blot the spot with soap and water. Unfortunately, many lipsticks are made with different ingredients, so you may not be able to remove the stain. If you get a mascara stain, put eye makeup remover on a Q-tip and start dabbing. This may leave a ring on the dress, but it is better than a black stain. For foundation, scrape off any excess makeup with a spoon and then blot with a dry towel. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to help lift the stain and then let it air dry or use a hairdryer.
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Use peroxide
Blood is one of the trickiest stains to treat. It is a protein stain that changes over time, with oxidation of haemoglobins causing the stain to morph from bright red to dark brown.
If you get a cut and blood spreads to your wedding dress, you can remove the stain by using peroxide. First, put a white cloth under the underside of the dress, then drop peroxide on the spot. Then, gently dab the area with a Q-tip or another white cloth until the stain is gone. You can also try a mixture of 4 parts water, 1 part ammonia, 1 part peroxide, and 1 part dish soap, using a white cloth or towel underneath the garment to absorb the stain.
Before using peroxide, test it on an inconspicuous spot on the dress to make sure it doesn't cause colour loss. Peroxide can have a bleaching effect on some textiles, so it should only be used on light-coloured or white dresses.
If the stain is fresh, rinse the dress with cold water first to remove as much excess blood as possible. Hold the stained area under cold running water until the stain comes out. You can also try soaking the stained area of the dress in cold water and then applying liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain, massaging it in and letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing and repeating as necessary.
Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water to remove any peroxide residue from the fabric. Then, launder the dress as usual.
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Try saliva
Bloodstains are notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove. If you're facing this problem with your wedding dress, one possible solution is to try using saliva.
Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which breaks down starches into simple sugars. This enzyme has been shown to be effective in removing blood stains from fabric. Simply dab a small amount of saliva onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, gently rub the fabric together or use a soft brush to work the saliva into the stain. Finally, rinse the fabric under cold water and check to see if the stain has been removed. If any bloodstain remains, repeat the process.
It is important to note that saliva may not be as effective on larger or older bloodstains. In such cases, you may need to try alternative methods or products, such as hydrogen peroxide, to remove the stain. Additionally, always test any stain removal method on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure that it does not cause discolouration or damage to the wedding dress.
One person has attested to the effectiveness of saliva in removing bloodstains, even from dried blood on a prom dress. They recommend spitting directly onto the stain, which should cause the blood to come out immediately.
While using saliva to remove bloodstains from a wedding dress may sound unconventional, it is worth considering as a quick and easily accessible solution. However, for more severe or stubborn stains, professional cleaning services may be required.
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Camouflage the stain
If you're dealing with a blood stain on your wedding dress, one option is to camouflage the stain rather than attempting to remove it and risking damage to the gown. There are a few household items that can help hide an unsightly stain. These include:
- Baking soda
- Corn starch
- Baby powder
If the stain is on your train or another less visible part of your gown, it may be better to wait and get it cleaned by a professional after your wedding. They will be able to analyze the stain and apply the proper stain removal and cleaning techniques.
Another option for camouflaging a stain is to use a decorative element, such as flowers or a brooch, to cover it up. This can be a good solution for stains that are in a noticeable spot but can be hidden by something else. For example, if you get a lipstick stain on your dress, you can try to cover it with your flowers.
It's important to act quickly when you notice a stain on your wedding dress. The longer a stain sets in, the harder it will be to remove. So, if you decide to try to camouflage the stain, make sure you have the necessary items on hand and take action as soon as possible.
Additionally, it's always a good idea to test any cleaning or camouflaging methods on a small, inconspicuous area of the dress first to ensure that they won't damage the fabric or affect the color. This is especially important for blood stains, as you don't want to set the stain further or create a visible mark on your dress.
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Consult a professional cleaner
Blood stains on a wedding dress can be upsetting, but they can be treated. If you notice the stain moments before your wedding, you will have to treat it yourself. However, if you have time before your wedding, it is best to consult a professional cleaner.
Professional cleaners have the expertise to analyse the stain and apply the proper stain removal and cleaning techniques. They will be able to safely remove the stain without damaging the garment. For example, chiffon and silk pieces require the most cautious handling, and some fabrics might leave water spots. A professional cleaner will know how to treat each type of fabric.
If you are unable to consult a professional cleaner before your wedding, you can try to remove the blood stain yourself by wetting a white cloth with cool water and dabbing the stain. Start at the edges and work your way towards the middle of the stain. You can also try using hydrogen peroxide or saliva on the stain. However, be sure to test these products on a small area of the dress first to ensure they do not affect the colour of the fabric.
After your wedding, it is highly recommended to have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved. This will ensure that any remaining stains are removed, and your dress will be properly preserved for generations to come.
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Frequently asked questions
First, put a white cloth under the stain. Then, gently dab the stain with a mixture of cool water and hydrogen peroxide. If the stain persists, try a small amount of laundry detergent or dish soap.
You can try using a small amount of your saliva to remove the blood stain.
You can try to camouflage the stain with talcum powder, baking soda, corn starch, or baby powder. However, you should still get the dress professionally cleaned after the wedding.
