Blood Cleanup After an Accident at Home: What You Need to Know

Accidents happen at home more often than people think — falls, kitchen injuries, power tool accidents, medical emergencies. When there's significant blood, most people don't know what's safe to clean yourself versus what needs a professional.

Here's the practical breakdown.

When You Can Clean It Yourself

DIY cleanup is appropriate ONLY when ALL of these conditions are met:

• ✅ The blood is from a known person (family member) whose health status you're aware of
• ✅ The amount is small (less than the size of a dinner plate)
• ✅ The blood is on a non-porous surface (tile, sealed countertop, glass, metal, laminate)
• ✅ The blood hasn't dried for more than a few hours
• ✅ No blood has seeped into cracks, grout, or beneath surfaces

DIY Cleaning Protocol

1. Protect yourself first:
   • Nitrile or latex gloves (double-glove for extra protection)
   • Eye protection if there's any risk of splash
   • Don't touch your face during cleanup
2. Absorb the blood: Use paper towels or disposable cloths. Don't use your regular cleaning rags
3. Disinfect: Mix a 1:10 bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 10 parts water). Apply to the area and let it sit for 10 minutes minimum. This kills HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and most other bloodborne pathogens
4. Wipe and repeat: Wipe clean with fresh paper towels. Apply bleach solution a second time
5. Dispose properly: Put all contaminated materials in a plastic bag, seal it, and put it in another plastic bag (double-bag). This goes in your regular trash — small amounts of household blood are exempt from medical waste regulations in most states
6. Wash your hands: Remove gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water for 20+ seconds

When You MUST Call a Professional

Professional cleanup is required when:

• ⚠️ Blood volume exceeds what fits on a dinner plate
• ⚠️ Blood has soaked into porous materials — carpet, hardwood, unfinished concrete, fabric upholstery, mattress
• ⚠️ Blood is from an unknown person or someone with unknown health status
• ⚠️ Blood has been sitting for more than 24 hours (bacterial growth begins immediately)
• ⚠️ Blood has seeped into cracks, between floorboards, under baseboards, or into wall cavities
• ⚠️ Multiple rooms or surfaces are affected
• ⚠️ There's blood mixed with other bodily fluids (vomit, fecal matter)
• ⚠️ You're dealing with the aftermath of a crime, suicide, or death (law enforcement should release the scene first)

Why Porous Materials Matter

Blood on tile wipes clean. Blood on carpet does not.

When blood contacts porous materials, it doesn't just sit on the surface — it wicks and seeps:

• Carpet: Blood passes through carpet fibers into the padding beneath, and then into the subfloor. Surface cleaning leaves contamination below
• Hardwood: Blood seeps between boards and into the wood grain. Sanding and refinishing can't reach blood that has penetrated below the surface
• Concrete: Unfinished concrete is surprisingly porous. Blood can soak 1–2 inches deep
• Drywall: Absorbs blood like a sponge. Once contaminated, it must be cut out and replaced
• Grout: Grout between tiles is porous even when tile isn't. Blood in grout lines requires removal or professional deep cleaning

Health Risks of Blood Exposure

Blood is a biohazard because it can contain:

The biggest risk is Hepatitis B. It's extremely resilient, highly infectious, and can be transmitted from dried blood on a surface to an open cut or mucous membrane contact.

Professional Blood Cleanup Costs

For trauma and crime scene costs, see our detailed cost guide.

Common Home Accidents That Require Blood Cleanup

• Falls — especially elderly family members. Head wounds bleed profusely even from minor injuries
• Kitchen accidents — knife injuries, broken glass
• Power tool injuries — workshop and garage accidents
• Medical emergencies — seizures, nosebleeds, complications from blood thinners (common medication — causes excessive bleeding from minor injuries)
• Pet injuries — animal blood carries different pathogens but still requires proper cleanup

Preventing Blood Stains

If cleanup won't happen immediately:

• Cold water only — hot water sets blood proteins into fabric and surfaces. Always use cold water for initial cleanup
• Hydrogen peroxide — breaks down hemoglobin and removes staining from light-colored surfaces. Test in an inconspicuous area first
• Enzyme-based cleaners — break down blood proteins. Available at pet stores (they're the same enzymes used for pet stain removal)
• Act fast — the longer blood sits, the harder it is to remove and the deeper it penetrates

After the Cleanup

• If a family member was injured — focus on them, not the cleanup. Professionals can handle the scene any time
• If the accident was serious — document the scene for insurance purposes before cleanup
• If you did DIY cleanup but aren't sure it's fully clean — call a professional for verification. A quick assessment is typically $100–$300

Not sure if your blood cleanup needs a professional? Call (855) 566-2405 for a free phone assessment, or find a vetted specialist in our directory.