Blood Stains Require Cold Water, Never Hot

Hot water cooks the proteins in blood and bonds the stain permanently into the fabric — the same way heat sets an egg. Always rinse blood stains immediately under cold running water, rubbing the fabric gently against itself. For dried stains, soak the area in cold water with a pinch of salt or a splash of hydrogen peroxide before washing. The key is speed and cold — the longer you wait and the warmer the water, the harder it gets.