When blood cleanup is needed
Blood cleanup is needed after many kinds of events: a serious fall, a kitchen or workshop injury, a medical episode, or an accident at a business. The amount does not have to be large for it to be a concern. Blood can carry hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and other pathogens.
The larger risk is what you cannot see. Blood moves through carpet into padding, between floorboards, and into grout and upholstery. Surface cleaning can leave contamination behind. Professional cleanup finds where it traveled and treats or removes every affected layer.
Who calls about blood cleanup
Homeowners call after falls, nosebleeds that soaked into carpet, injuries from tools or glass, and medical events such as a ruptured varicose vein or complications after surgery. Caregivers call on behalf of elderly relatives. Drivers and fleet operators call after an injury in a vehicle.
Businesses make up a large share of calls: gyms, restaurants, salons, schools, warehouses, and retail stores where a customer or employee was hurt. For them, the priority is reopening the area safely and having a record that it was handled correctly. Whatever the setting, the same rule applies. If you are not sure the spill is small enough to manage yourself, ask before you start.
A few details help the crew prepare: the type of flooring, whether the blood reached furniture or bedding, and how long ago it happened. Rough answers are fine.
What blood cleanup includes
- Inspection of flooring, furniture, and nearby surfaces to find how far blood has spread
- Removal of blood from hard surfaces, fixtures, and walls
- Treatment or removal of carpet, padding, and upholstery
- Subfloor cleaning and sealing or removal when blood has soaked through
- Disinfection with EPA registered products
- Vehicle interior cleanup in most covered areas
- Safe packaging and disposal of contaminated materials
- A written record of the work for insurance or workplace files
The process, step by step
Call and describe the situation
A real person answers 24/7. Tell them where it happened, the kind of surface, and about how large the affected area is. They will explain your options.
Inspection
Technicians check visible areas and the layers beneath them. They explain what can be cleaned in place and what needs to come out.
Protection and containment
The work area is marked off, and technicians put on gloves, eye protection, and other equipment suited to the job.
Removal and disinfection
Blood is removed, surfaces are cleaned, and disinfectant is applied and left for the full contact time on the label. Unsalvageable materials are packaged as regulated waste.
Verification and records
The crew checks the area again and gives you documentation showing what was done.
Safety and compliance
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, sets the rules for anyone whose job involves contact with blood. It covers training, protective equipment, hepatitis B vaccination, and safe disposal. Businesses should know that asking untrained staff to clean a blood spill can create an OSHA problem.
Technicians use EPA registered disinfectants with claims against bloodborne pathogens, following the label. Contaminated waste is handled under state medical waste rules.
Help with insurance documentation
Whether insurance applies depends on what caused the loss and what your policy says. Homeowners, renters, auto, and commercial policies can each come into play. Technicians can help with insurance documentation, including photos and an itemized description of the work.
For workplace incidents, the same records support your internal incident report and show that the cleanup was done properly.
Where this service is available
Blood Cleanup is available in covered ZIP codes across 38 states. See all covered locations or check your ZIP code to confirm service at your address.
Blood Cleanup questions
When is a blood spill too large to clean myself?
A common rule of thumb is that anything larger than a dinner plate, or anything that has soaked into carpet, upholstery, or flooring seams, should be handled professionally. If you are unsure, call and ask.
Is dried blood still a risk?
It can be. According to the CDC, the hepatitis B virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days. Dried blood should be treated with the same care as fresh blood.
Will bleach take care of it?
Bleach can disinfect some hard surfaces when used correctly, but it does not reach blood that has soaked into porous materials, and it can damage many finishes. It is not a full solution.
Can carpet be saved?
Sometimes. Small, recent spots may be treatable. When blood has reached the padding or subfloor, that section usually needs to be removed so the layers below can be cleaned.
Do you clean vehicles?
In most covered areas, yes. Seats, carpet, and trim often need to be treated or removed. Mention the vehicle when you call so the right crew is arranged.
We are a business. Can our janitorial staff handle it?
Only if they are trained and equipped under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Many businesses call a professional crew instead to protect employees and stay compliant.
How fast can cleanup happen?
Calls are answered 24/7, and the person who answers will tell you what timing to expect for your ZIP code.
What should I do while I wait for the crew?
Keep people and pets away from the area, avoid walking through it, and do not try to scrub or soak it up. If it is safe to do so, close the door to the room. The crew will take it from there.
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Helpful guide: biohazard waste rules, by state.