Remove period blood — Cold water, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will lift most period blood stains from a mattress without ruining the foam. Our team’s step-by-step.
Hannah on our team has had to do this twice. The trick is acting fast and never using hot water — heat sets blood permanently. Here’s the method.
If the stain is fresh (under an hour) (Remove period blood)
- Strip the bedding and any wet covers immediately.
- Blot the stain with a damp cold-water cloth. Press, don’t rub — rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric.
- Repeat with fresh cold water until no more colour transfers to the cloth.
- Sprinkle baking soda generously over the area, leave 30 minutes, vacuum off.
If the stain is set
- Mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts cold water + 1 teaspoon dish soap.
- Lightly mist the stain. Don’t saturate — water won’t evaporate cleanly from foam.
- Blot with a clean white cloth. Watch the stain transfer.
- Repeat 3–5 times.
- Mist with plain cold water and blot to rinse.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the area, leave 4–6 hours, vacuum.
Stubborn stains — the enzyme cleaner trick
Enzyme-based pet stain removers (Bissell, Out, Urine-Off — all stocked at Bunnings, Petbarn) break down protein-based stains. Spray, blot, rinse, baking soda. Works on most “set” period blood stains.
Don’t use
- Hot water — sets the protein permanently.
- Bleach — degrades foam, fabric and may discolour the cover.
- Coloured cleaning cloths — they leak dye into the stain.
Drying
The mattress will be slightly damp. Open a window, turn the ceiling fan on, leave it 8–12 hours before remaking the bed. Putting bedding back too soon traps moisture and grows mildew.
Prevention
A waterproof mattress protector ($60–$120) eliminates this problem entirely. Period or otherwise. See our pick of mattress protectors.
For independent guidance on sleep and wellbeing, the Sleep Health Foundation is a good starting point.
