What should I do about blood stained sheets?

[Alain311]

Hi everyone,  

So I had this female guests, staying a few days, she was an ok guest, a bit awkward but still nice and I have nothing to really complain about, she also left me a thank you note. I started cleaning the bedroom and noticed 2 big dried blood stain, some brown marks there and there too (dried blood rubbed around) and the white towels became orange (bronzer). I was able to remove the stains and got everything white again, thanks to baking soda a bit, of hydrogen peroxide and a good scrub, washed twice with cold water. 

I understand periods are a natural thing woman can't have so much control on, but since it’s the second time I have a guest leaving me this kind of little gift I'm just curious on how you guys would be dealing with this? Would you mention it the review or suck it up as it’s a natural thing, can happen and  my sheets are white again. I would tend to mention it tough. And for those of you who also are guests, what would you do if you have your periods? Would you just leave, say thank you and not think about the blood stain left? Aern't there ways for you girls to avoid to protect the sheets and avoid spills?

I prefer using white sheets, they look more neutral and give a more luxurious feeling, so I'm not planning to change them and since I'm able to remove stains, I'm ok to take the blood risk (I have a longer procedure than what I shortly mentionend before and the stains always go away) 

PS: I will be posting more stories in the next days, that month I only had awkward guests including my worst experience ever, making these blood stains my best airbnb hosting experience of the month. 

[Claire1000]

I have made a product that really helps guests protect your sheets. I offer it to my guests - you can offer it to yours. You can even lift the verbiage, if you like. 

As an air bnb guest, I found myself occasionally needing something to protect the sheets of the lovely places I was renting. As an air bnb host, I found myself wanting to provide something my guests could use that would protect my sheets. In an answer to all that, I created The Layer. It is a magical piece of fabric that is soft and comfortable and shields the sheets from all sorts of sexy messes. So, should you find yourself in need, you will find The Layer - sealed in an eco-friendly plastic wrap - available for you to use and take with you to use over and over and over again (it withstands 300+ washings). And if you do, your account will be charged $55. It’s far less expensive than replacing a set of sheets, mattress cover, towels - and saves everyone inconvenience and embarrassment. You can find The Layer in the master bedroom in the wicker basket.

A discrete little velcro clutch is available for purchase, for carrying The Layer to and fro. Please visit https://getthelayer.com for more information. 

[Filip12]

That's really great Claire, but i doesn't help hosts at all 🙂 Most of the "accidents" happen without the guests knowing about them, so they wouldn't have the chance to pull out your magic layer and spread it over a bed. And if they expected such "accident", they could simply use any of those lady tools for periods before it happens 🙂

[Charlotte715]

I love using white sheets but I constantly find blood stains from men, women, and children. Either from cuts or menses. I found 3 beds stained. 2 of them Also had betadine stains all the way through to the protectors. I scrub with peroxide, oxy, detergent, and bleach. They had set in for so long there was no hope of coming out. Picked up the first high dollar white bloody towel and just threw them away. There was no hope. It’s the time, product, and expense that at some point you have to do something. That’s why I came her for suggestions. I know that if I bled on someone’s sheets or towels I would make it right and even clean up my own blood. But that’s me!!  Thanks for the vinegar, soda, and shampoo suggestions!! 

[Talia907]

This conversation interests me - as I have to retire around 6 sets of sheets per year.  My checkout isn't until later in the day, and I often find that the stains are set.  I've tried the H2O2, salt water, vinegar, etc tricks.  I haven't done the dish soap trick - I'll try that.  Someone just suggested carpet cleaner to me.  She said it takes everything out.  Not sure how I feel about it, but thought I'd share.  Good luck to all you great hosts keeping the sheets clean!

[Laleh5]

I am a woman and i know how to deal with period and blood.  I am so tired of the all my women guests.  Every 10 womes in my guest 9 of them make bed bloody and also cover matress as well. After the each guest i need to belching sheets and cover mattress too. I am so surprised how can a woman  a girl can't deal with period.  I want to throwing up after each guest and see the blood cover the bed. I never mentioned any where no text no review.  But i am tired now for all my women gest and they don't how  to deal with the a beauty of the woman.  Please give me advice what i need to do? Should i send them text? Should i charge them exstra? Or should i creat a presentation aPDF to show them how can to deal with the period and send it to them ? Or say it in the review? 

Please i need your advice because i am very tired of the every women and they don't understand own body. 

[Sarah977]

@Laleh5  It's just something that hosts have to deal with, but 9 out of 10 female guests sure sounds like a lot. I've hosted tons of female guests and never encountered this.

The easiest way to remove it so the stain doesn't set is to soak in cold water, so maybe put a note in your house manual asking female guests to do this if they have an "accident" during their period. Provide a large pail for this purpose. And make sure there are spare sheets provided so they can remake the bed.  If you do this, maybe you'll get less of it.

No, never mention such personal things in a review. And it's not something to charge for- like I said, it's just something hosts sometimes have to deal with. You could send a private message letting them know that it isn't okay to leave that- that they should either put them to soak in cold water, or let the host know, so you can do that, rather than just walk away from it- that it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

[Laleh5]

Thank you for your advice.  I know how to clean the bed very good. I think i learn fast. And i believe it is too much and every woman guest has they same problem.  I think the nots you mentioned is a great idea.  But it is unbelievable for me why 99% women guest in my apartment having the same problem and also is not fair to the houst at all . Thank you again. 

[Filip12]

Hi Sarah!
Like it's been mentioned before - if we can, we use all the magic tricks to remove the stains asap, but in at least half cases it's simply TOO LATE for that. 
I respectfuly disagree with you saying that "it's not something to charge for (...), it's just something hosts sometimes have to deal with". 
Buying a new set of bedsheets and a mattress covers is not cheap, neither is washing a mattress itself - that requires a special service. It's a damage like any other and should be treated as such

[Diana2044]

Hi! I recently stayed with my kids and my sister and her kids at an Airbnb. My sister got her period and she stained the sheets. Also the mattress did not have a cover and it also got stained. She tried to get the blood out with water as much as she could. The host sent us pictures and told us we have to pay for new mattress and new sheets. She is charging us close to $900. Is this ok?

[Clara116]

@Diana2044 what a drag for your sister and the host. BUT the host should have had a mattress protector so I think you folks owe for sheets if they didn't come clean but not a mattress. The fact that you tried to clean it up is good....and many guests try to hide it....but if you didn't use cold cold water and let soak can create a never to be removed stain. Offer to pay for sheets $50...and tell them to buy a very protective mattress protector or they will continue to struggle with ruined bedding and nobody wants to sleep on stains of any kind. I personally use 2 mattress protectors at the same time because it is sometimes needed. Good luck, keep us posted. Best, Clara 

[Secily0]

If you are going to require zero stains on sheets at your Airbnb then you should provide a way to clean them.  It’s sheets. Things happen.  If you don’t have any stain spray etc or a way to wash what are your guests suppose to do?

[Helen744]

@Alain311 just thought I would add a little note here as women still have periods , but the thing is no one rings a bell at the beginning of the said period which often occurrs at night and for a very large number of women not on a regular choo choo. Provide sanitary protection in the bathroom and a bin. Simple . Always always use mattress protectors with some waterproof component and if soaking in cold water does not work then ask the guest to pay for replacement linen ... Good Luck... H

[Bea2137]

Hi @Alain311 👋🏽 i encounter this situation quite frequently. When faced with blood stains, I first inform the guest about the issue and tell them that we’ll try to see if we can remove them first. Then, I follow these steps for removal:

1. Act quickly, as addressing the stain promptly improves the chances of complete removal.
2. Use cold water to rinse or pre-treat the stain, as hot water can set it.
3. For washable fabrics, I apply hydrogen peroxide or liquid laundry detergent and gently rub. For carpets or upholstery, I use a mix of water and salt or a paste of cornstarch and water.
4. I gently blot or rub the stain, avoiding hard scrubbing.
5. After washing, I ensure the stain is gone before drying, as heat can set it.
6. Consider using enzymatic cleaners, which are great for breaking down protein-based stains like blood.
7. I avoid using bar soap on the stain, as it can set it.
8. I sometimes soak the fabric in salt water or a mixture of salt, cold water, and dish soap. For delicate fabrics, I sponge with cold water and salt.
9. If the stain remains and the item is valuable or delicate, I consider taking it to professional cleaning.

If we're unable to remove the stains, only then do we consider charging for the cost of purchasing a replacement.