Every fisherman knows the frustrating feeling of getting blood on their fishing shirt while bleeding out the day's catch. Luckily, if you act smart and fast, the damage is easily correctable.
How to Remove Fresh Blood Off Your Fishing Shirts
Act immediately! As with most stains, the sooner you take action, the better. The first step is to soak the fishing shirt with cold water. Make sure to keep the water as cold as possible because heat of any kind will set the stain. Avoid using too much water, as you don't want to spread the stain. A dab with a wet cloth is perfect.
After you've removed as much water as possible, grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and apply a small amount directly to the stain. Once the stain is removed, rinse the area with cold water and make sure to remove any peroxide that remains on your fishing shirt. You may need to reapply and repeat the process a few times for more significant stains.
How to Remove Dried Blood Off Your Fishing Shirts
While dried blood may be more challenging to clean, with the proper steps, your fishing shirt will recover before you know it. Before you start, gather some cold water and heavy-duty stain remover.
First, pre-soak your fishing shirt in a mixture of stain-removing product and cold water. Then, rub the stains with bar soap and wash with fabric-safe bleach. If this doesn't do the trick, repeat the pre-soaking step above for a more extended period and clean again.
The Magic 8 Household Objects to Remove Fishing Blood Stains
It's always tricky predicting which ingredients you'll have with you on the lake, so here are the eight best for cleaning blood stains off your fishing shirt. Make sure to test each cleaning method in an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it won't discolor the fabric.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent option if you can get to the blood stains while they're fresh. Cover the affected area with vinegar, and allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes. Then, dry the area with a towel until the stain is removed.
Ammonia
Ammonia is another great option for removing blood from your fishing shirt. Instead of applying ammonia directly to the fishing shirt, apply a few drops to a wet sponge or cloth. Use the cloth to rinse the area until the stain is gone.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As we've discussed above, Hydrogen Peroxide is a fantastic option for removing blood stains. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that is color safe, unlike straight-up bleach. Unlike ammonia, you can apply Hydrogen Peroxide directly to the stain. After applying it, use a towel to blot the area.
Cola
Out on the lake with nothing but a can of Cola? We got you covered. While Cola isn't 100% effective in stain removal, the carbonic acid inside can help dissolve blood stains, making it perfect as a pre-treatment until you get back on land.
WD-40
Got some WD-40 on hand? While WD-40 is usually used for loosening rusted bolts or power tools, a small portion of WD-40 will help remove blood. The steps are simple. Spray WD-40 on the blood stain, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and throw the item into the washing machine with some detergent.
Cornstarch
Combine cornstarch with some cold water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste over the stain and lay the fishing shirt somewhere sunny until it dries. Once the paste has dried, brush the paste off. We also recommend putting the shirt in the washing machine to ensure the leftover cornstarch has been removed.
Talcum Water
Removing stains with talcum powder follows the same steps as cornstarch. Both products will work well, so use whichever is most convenient. Mix it with cold water, form and apply the paste, let it dry, brush it off, and place the shirt in the washing machine.
Cold Saltwater
Cold Saltwater is an excellent option for removing blood stains, though you must act while the blood is still damp and fresh. First, rinse the fabric with cold water. Then combine the salt with cold water to form a paste. Cover the stain with the paste and leave it for about 20 minutes. Brush the paste off and blot the fishing shirt with cold water to eliminate any excess salt.
Remember, always act fast, use cold water, and apply one of the eight magic ingredients. With these basic steps, blood stains will be a thing of the past! Also, if you’re tired of boring, plain fishing shirts, make sure to check out The Custom Captain.