Investing in custom bedding for your bespoke bed is a great way to start the year with a fresh look and a renewed sense of comfort. Nothing says comfort like a bed custom made for your needs. However, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes those beautiful new sheets face unexpected mishaps. Whether it's a nosebleed, an unfortunate period stain, an accidental spill, or an enthusiastic dog, these incidents can leave you scrambling to save your custom bedding from ruin.
Murphy’s Law often strikes at the most inconvenient times. The good news is, you’re not alone in this struggle, and there are plenty of effective solutions available. Blood stains, while daunting, can be removed with the right approach. From household remedies like cold water and baking soda to specialized stain removers, you have numerous options to restore your sheets to their original glory.
Don’t worry about it. With prompt action and the correct methods, you can maintain the pristine condition of your custom bedding. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving the luxury and comfort of your custom mattress setup.
Steps to Saving Your Custom Bedding from Blood Stains
Here, we’ve outlined the 5 quickest and easiest steps to get blood stains out of your sheets. Plus, we’re also giving you a few alternative tips in case you don’t have everything on hand. Welcome to Blood Stain Triage for Custom Sheets 101.
1. Don’t let the stain sit - take the sheets off the bed.
Don't let blood stains linger on your custom bedding. The longer the stain sits, the more challenging it becomes to remove. As soon as you spot the stain, swiftly remove the sheets from your custom mattress and tackle the issue immediately. Remove the sheets and the mattress protector as well. If you haven't invested in a custom mattress protector already, it's time to change that.
If the blood has seeped through to your custom mattress’s cashmere cover, don’t worry – these tips apply to that as well. Rapid action is crucial for both your sheets and your mattress. Promptly addressing the stain increases your chances of restoring your luxurious bedding and keeping your sleep environment pristine.
2. Only rinse your custom sheets with cold water.
The first thing you should do is rinse your sheets with cold water as soon as you can. Avoid blotting or wiping your sheets because that can work the stain further into the fabric. Instead, quickly rinse with cold water to keep the stain from setting further so you can clean it better and faster. Never use warm water – it sets blood. If you’ve gotten to the blood stain before it’s dried, this step plus the next one will usually do the trick. That’s why working ASAP after the stain occurred is vital to reviving your custom sheets. You just got them – you don’t want to have to buy them twice just because of a mishap.
3. Soak your sheets in an enzyme cleaner.
Enzyme cleaners are great because they make biological substances like starches, oils, fats and proteins — like those found in blood — break down quicker. So, once you rinse your sheets with water, soak the sheets or the affected area directly in the enzyme cleaner with water.
4. For bespoke Egyptian cotton white sheets, try hydrogen peroxide.
If your custom Egyptian cotton sheets are white and the blood stain has dried by the time you notice it, hydrogen peroxide is your best ally. While enzyme cleaners can help reduce the stain, hydrogen peroxide acts similarly to bleach and is particularly effective at lifting stubborn stains from lighter fabrics.
It's a common misconception that bleach is the best solution for blood stains on custom white cotton bedding. Bleach can permanently darken the stained area and may even compromise the fabric's integrity. Instead use hydrogen peroxide. It's gentler on your custom bedding while still providing powerful stain-removing capabilities. This approach ensures your bespoke sheets remain in excellent condition, preserving both their appearance and durability.
5. Wash your sheets on the cold cycle and hang to dry.
After you spot clean, you still need to wash the entire sheet. Toss it in the washer with your regular detergent, but be sure to keep it on the ‘cold’ cycle so that the stain doesn’t set any further in the heat. Be sure to hang-dry your sheets as well for the same reason. And if you can hang your sheet in the sun that is even better, because the sun can work as a natural lightener. Honestly, this washing method is best for organic cotton custom bed linens anyway.
Alternative Tips to Save Your Custom Sheets
If these steps don’t seem to work, here are some other blood stain removal techniques that might work for your custom sheets instead:
Create a bath of white vinegar and salt for your sheets.
If you’re out of enzyme cleaner or hydrogen peroxide, don’t worry – white vinegar can come to the rescue. Combine three parts white vinegar with one-part cold water and let your stained sheets soak in this mixture for up to three hours. This gentle soaking solution starts breaking down the blood stain effectively.
Once the sheets have soaked, take an old toothbrush and scrub some salt into the stained area. This step will help lift any remaining stain particles. After treating the stain, wash your sheets on a cold cycle in the washing machine. This method not only helps remove the stain but also protects the integrity of your custom bedding, ensuring it remains as good as new.
Baking soda can also save your sheets.
Another way you can remove the stain is to make a baking soda paste with cold water and apply it directly to the stain. You should do this after you have already rinsed the stain with cold water, then gently rub the paste onto the stain and lay the sheet outside in the sun to dry. When you go to remove the dried baking soda residue, you’ll notice most of the stain has lifted. You can simply repeat the process until the stain comes out fully.
We know you’re attached to your custom-made cotton bedding – you probably care for it just as much as the mattress maker who made it by hand. You’re not going to give up on it just because it’s been in an accident. With these tips, blood or not, you can make sure your sheets can recover from anything life throws at them. And if after you’ve tried your best, they just can’t seem to shake the stains? Maybe it’s time for a new handmade Egyptian cotton bed set (hint hint).
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