Is bleach safe to use on blood?

A freshly mixed household bleach solution is a widely recommended disinfectant for blood on hard surfaces. Follow the product label for dilution, use it with good ventilation, and never mix it with other cleaners.

What about blood on clothing?

Washable fabrics with small amounts of blood can usually be laundered separately in cold water and then hot, wearing gloves to handle them. Heavily soaked items are usually better discarded.

Cleaning a Small Blood Spill at Home Safely and Thoroughly

Gather before you start

Everything should be within reach so you are not walking around with contaminated gloves.

Disposable gloves, ideally nitrile; two pairs if you have them
Paper towels or disposable cloths
A disinfectant whose label lists bloodborne pathogens or hepatitis B, or a fresh household bleach solution
A plastic trash bag that can be tied shut
Eye protection if there is any chance of splashing
Tongs or a dustpan for any broken glass

Technician in a protective suit and respirator pulling on gloves at a workbench. Illustrative only: this photo is not from a job tied to this site or a specific address.

The order that actually disinfects

Keep others away.Ask family members to stay out of the room until you are done.
Remove sharp pieces first.Pick up broken glass with tongs or a dustpan, never fingers, and put it in a rigid container.
Absorb, then clean.Blot liquid with paper towels and bag them. Then wash the surface with soap and water. Disinfectants work poorly on surfaces still covered in blood.
Disinfect and wait.Apply the disinfectant and leave it wet for the full contact time on the label, often several minutes. Wiping it off immediately undermines the step.
Bag and wash.Put towels and gloves in the bag, tie it, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Common mistakes and why they matter

Mistake: Spraying disinfectant onto a pool of blood
Why it is a problem: Can splash and the product cannot work through the volume
Better choice: Absorb first, clean, then disinfect

Mistake: Using a scrub brush on porous grout
Why it is a problem: Pushes material deeper and spatters
Better choice: Blot and use disposable cloths; consider professional help for grout

Mistake: Mixing bleach with other cleaners
Why it is a problem: Can release harmful gases, especially with ammonia or acids
Better choice: Use one product at a time and ventilate

Mistake: Reusing a sponge or rag
Why it is a problem: Carries contamination to the next surface
Better choice: Use disposables and throw them away

Mistake: Skipping the contact time
Why it is a problem: The disinfectant may not finish its job
Better choice: Follow the label exactly

Common questions

Is bleach safe to use on blood?: A freshly mixed household bleach solution is a widely recommended disinfectant for blood on hard surfaces. Follow the product label for dilution, use it with good ventilation, and never mix it with other cleaners.
What about blood on clothing?: Washable fabrics with small amounts of blood can usually be laundered separately in cold water and then hot, wearing gloves to handle them. Heavily soaked items are usually better discarded.

General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.