How to get Blood out

BACKGROUND: Tomorrow my Daughters first birthday. Sigh, the first year has been wonderful, as I had an angel baby newborn. She has slept through the night since she was 10 weeks old, only getting up when she's sick with a stuff nose or teething. Last week however, one night she woke up screaming like something was wrong but at first I couldn't figure it out. I brought her in my room, it was dark, but I noticed something on her cheek. When I clicked the light on, I saw blood and there was some on the other cheek. At first I thought it was coming from her mouth as it was on her binky but, then I realized that it was a nose bleed. Within seconds both her and I were covered in blood. Scary yes, but a nose bleed I knew how to handle. Once we pinched it off, I got ready to wash our clothes. (I also recently suffered from menorrhagia, a post partum complication that was delayed due to breast feeding. This also required some blood stain removal).

The point is, that these incidents made me realize that I hadn't shared my generations old solution to set in blood stains. Sure getting a new blood stain out isn't so bad, rinse and scrub with gentle soap (I use just hand soap) when fresh and then wash with oxiclean.

But what about a blood stain that's set in? that can be hard to get out. Well, my grandmother told me that her local butcher told her the secret to keeping his white apron clean of blood stains: MEAT TENDERIZER.

 picture from mccormick.com
I don't know why, I just know that this is what they did and this is what I've done. If you have a set in blood stain proceed with trying to loosen the stain with cold water and gentle soap (DO NOT USE HOT WATER). Then once you have done the best you can liberally apply meat tenderizer to the stained area (the powder/seasoning not the tool). I then gently (using the fabric itself if possible) rub it together to get it really in the fabric (I recommend doing this after you have rung out the cold water but while its still wet). Then I let it set, usually overnight.

Next day wash, with detergent and if you want with oxiclean (or other oxidizing cleaner). Something about the tenderizer loosens the stain and will help you get those set in blood stains without ruining the color of your fabric. Good for women issues, sports uniforms, sheets with nose bleeds, you get the picture. Hope this helps save your fabrics!