First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Blot the liquid up with a clean, dry white cloth or paper towel; don't rub.
- Start with cold water, because hot water sets blood.
- Test any soap on a hidden spot before you start.
- Act fast: fresh blood lifts far more easily than blood older than 24 hours.
Blood on plastic is a protein stain, and hot water is what can set it, so this job stays with cool water and mild soap. Plastic takes water well, but heat and abrasives are off the table, so gentle work is what protects the surface. For set-in blood on plastic, start with the gentlest cleaning and check after each round.
On a plastic chair, wipe the whole area so you don't leave a ring around the spot. Avoid scrubbing pads, which can leave marks on plastic that are hard to get back. If the mark has dried on a chair or lid, give the soapy cloth a moment on the spot before you wipe.
Before you start
What plastic & tupperware can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Hot water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid2
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
4 items
What you'll need
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- Clean, dry white cloth or white paper towelsBlots the blood up without spreading it or adding color. (opens Amazon)
- Mild dishwashing liquidCold water with mild dishwashing liquid is the one cleaner to use on plastic. (opens Amazon)
- Soft, lint-free clothFor the soap wash and the final damp wipe. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic or nylon padOnly if scrubbing is needed; it is the one pad that is safe on plastic. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Blot up the fresh blood
Act quickly, since fresh blood is much easier to lift than blood that has been sitting for more than 24 hours. Press a clean, dry white cloth or paper towel onto the stain to soak up the liquid.
Keep blotting with clean parts of the cloth, and don't rub, which spreads the stain across the plastic.
Step 2 of 6
Test a hidden spot first
Put a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid in cold water and dab it on a hidden spot, like the underside of the seat or the inside of a lid. Wait a moment, then check it, and stop if any color transfers or changes.
Tip. Use the same soap mix you will use in the next part.
Step 3 of 6
Lift the blood with cold soapy water
Dampen a soft cloth with the cold soapy water and work from the outside of the stain toward the middle. Switch to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up blood, and keep going until the cloth comes away clean.
Step 4 of 6
Clean the surface with warm soapy water
Once the blood is gone, wipe the whole seat or surface with the same mild soap in warm water. This clears away any leftover residue and cleans the area around the stain.
Step 5 of 6
Rinse and dry the surface
Wipe with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to pick up the soap. Then dry the surface with a clean cloth and check the spot in good light.
Step 6 of 6
Repeat if a mark is left
If a faint mark remains, repeat the soap wash and rinse again. Stop once the surface looks clean; if the mark has set, move on to treating dried blood.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for blood on plastic & tupperware
Use a mild dishwashing liquid rather than a household cleaner or spray. Keep a soft, lint-free cloth and a plastic or nylon pad on hand for the rare stubborn spot.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on plastic & tupperware, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The blood should lift onto the cloth with each pass, and the plastic should look the same color as the rest of the surface. If the cloth still comes away red after several passes, the stain has likely dried and needs the set-in approach below.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your plastic & tupperware
Plastic toilet seat
Blood on a seat gets the same cold soap wash first, then the warm soap wash once the blood is gone. Nail polish, aftershave and abrasive chemicals damage the finish of plastic seats, so keep them away from the stain.
Work gently with a soft cloth, and dry the seat when you finish so no water is left sitting on the plastic.
Plastic lids and containers
Containers can be washed by hand in hot soapy water, or on the dishwasher's top rack if the product allows it, but only after the blood is lifted with cold water. A stubborn marker on a lid is a separate problem: rub it with a soft cloth, and isopropyl alcohol may help after a pretest on a hidden spot.
Rinse the lid well and dry it before you check the stain, since a wet surface makes a faint mark hard to judge.
Silicone phone case
Take the phone out of the case first, then wipe the case with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Start with cold water and mild soap on the blood, and save any warm wash for after the blood is gone.
Keep window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia and abrasives away from a silicone case, since they are all off limits. Let it dry fully before you put the phone back in.
Eyeglass lenses
Brush off any dust or grit first so it isn't dragged across the lens. Then clean with a lens wipe in small circular movements, and don't use a tissue, tie or sleeve.
If blood is dried on the lens, stop once the wipe no longer lifts anything rather than pushing harder with a dry cloth.
Old, dried or set-in stains
A blood stain that has sat for more than 24 hours is much harder to lift, so expect more than one round. Old protein stains may need several rounds of treatment before they're fully gone.
Once the stain has dried, brush or scrape off any crust gently, then wipe it with cold water and mild dishwashing liquid. If you need to scrub, use only a plastic or nylon pad, and let the soapy cloth sit on the spot for a short time before you wipe it again.
Heat is the wrong fix for a dried stain, so don't warm the surface to finish the job. If the mark is still there after several rounds, accept a faint mark rather than reaching for stronger products.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on blood on plastic & tupperware?
Several household remedies for blood are built for fabric or other surfaces, and some can set blood. Mild dishwashing liquid is all plastic needs, so the other remedies are best left off.
Works1Skip5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use hot water on fresh blood.
Heat cooks the protein in blood and can set the stain before it lifts. Keep the first wash cold, and save any warm or hot water for the cleaning after the blood is gone.
Don't scrub with abrasive cleansers or scrub pads.
Abrasive cleansers and scrub pads are off limits on plastic, even on a stubborn stain. A soft cloth and a few more passes are the safe way to keep working.
Don't put plastic lids or containers on or under a flame.
Keep plastic lids and containers away from a flame, stovetop or broiler. Don't microwave a lid sealed; vent it or set it offset so it doesn't warp.
Don't leave glasses in extreme heat.
A hot car can damage eyeglasses, so don't leave them there while they dry. Keep them somewhere cool while you clean them.
When to call a professional
You shouldn't need a professional for this, since mild soap, water and a soft cloth are all it takes. If the stain won't budge after several washes, stop there, since the stronger options aren't safe on plastic.
Questions
Will blood leave a permanent mark on plastic?
It can, especially once it dries. Fresh blood lifts far more easily, so blot it and start with cold water and mild soap right away.
Does fake blood stain plastic?
Fake blood is a different product, so the closest guide is the real-blood approach: blot it, test a hidden spot, and lift it with cold soapy water.
Can I put a plastic container in the dishwasher with blood on it?
Not until the blood is gone. Once it's lifted, the container can go on the dishwasher's top rack if the product allows it, or be washed by hand in hot soapy water.
Will vinegar lift blood off plastic?
No, vinegar isn't a first step on blood. Acid can make protein stains harder to lift, so it can work against you on blood. Stick with cold water and mild dishwashing liquid, which lift the blood without that risk.
How long can blood sit before it's too hard to remove?
Blood that is more than 24 hours old is much harder to lift. Even then, start with the cold soap wash and move to the dried-stain approach if it doesn't lift.
Is rubbing alcohol safe for blood on plastic?
No, alcohol can set blood, so keep it off the stain. For a stubborn marker on a plastic lid, rub gently with a soft cloth after a pretest on a hidden spot.
Blood on other materials
Other stains on plastic & tupperware
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.