You can easily accomplish semen stain removal with a few quick steps. Dab cold water onto semen stains with a damp sponge, but avoid over-wetting the area. Then, spot clean with a quality stain remover. If you pre-treat semen stains, laundering washable fabrics is also possible.
Learn how to remove semen stain residue on upholstery, carpet, mattresses, sheets, and clothing using the helpful tips and cleaning procedures below. When executed correctly, you’ll avoid permanent stains and keep your fabrics and other surfaces clean and fresh.
How to Remove Semen Stains: Step-by-Step Instructions
Removing semen stains varies slightly depending on the affected area. The following sections are broken into categories to explain how to get rid of sperm stains on various surfaces in the best way possible.
Rugs and Carpet
Semen stains typically come out fairly quickly, especially if you clean them before they dry and become crusty.
Step 1: Pre-Treat a Dry Sperm Stain
If the semen stain is still wet, skip to the next step. If the stain is dry, use a soft-bristled brush to gently rub off as much of it as possible. Then, vacuum the spot to pick up debris.
Step 2: Sponge the Stain with a Cleaning Solution
Use a sponge to dab and rub the stain with a cleaning solution and cold water. Just like with a blood stain, avoid higher temperatures because they can cause a protein stain to set into carpet fibers.
For a cleaning solution, you have several options. A mix of cool water and a little bit of mild soap, detergent, or white vinegar works great. Enzyme cleaners for pet accidents and borax also work great on semen stains. Use whatever you have handy if you want to avoid dealing with additional costs.
Step 3: Dab with Clean Water
Sponge the area with clean, plain water to remove the cleaner and pick up the mess.
Step 4: Leave to Dry
Blot with dry paper towels to remove excess moisture and leave it to dry thoroughly. When completely dry, vacuum the area to refresh the carpet fibers.
Mattress
If a semen stain seeps through your sheets, it should be spot cleaned as soon as possible to avoid a permanent mark.
Step 1: Dab with a Damp Sponge
For both dry and fresh stains, dab the area with cold water. Avoid hot water because it can set the protein found in the fluid into the material.
Step 2: Spot Treat with Cleaning Solution
Spot treat the semen stain with a weak detergent and cool water solution or an upholstery stain remover spray. You can also remove semen stains with a mix of cold water and hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, borax, or white vinegar.
Step 3: Sponge with Cold Water
Next, sponge the spot to remove the cleaner residue. Avoid over-wetting your mattress, or it can damage the foam inside.
Step 4: Leave to Dry
Blot up any excess water with dry paper towels. Allow it to air dry completely before putting your sheets back on the bed.
Pro Tip: A mattress protector can prevent stains and minimize cleaning efforts. If you have a nice mattress or one you’d like to keep for a while, we highly recommend getting a mattress protector.
Upholstery
Upholstery fabrics vary when it comes to cleaning, so check the specifics provided by the manufacturer first. Our instructions below are best for common synthetic fabrics such as polyester.
Step 1: Blot the Stain with Cold Water
Gently blot the sperm stain with cold water. Do not use higher temperatures, which can lead to a permanent stain. If the stain is dry, use a soft-bristled brush to remove any crusty material first.
Step 2: Apply a Cleaning Solution
You can remove semen stains with an upholstery stain remover spray or a weak mixture of water with detergent, borax, or white vinegar. Make sure to use cool water to prevent setting the stain in the fabric.
Whichever cleaning solution you choose, test a small amount on an inconspicuous area first. Wait for the area to dry before determining whether the solution discolors the fabric. When you know it does not leave a mark, gently rub the cleaner into the sperm stain. Use enough water to penetrate the stain but don’t saturate the material.
Step 3: Blot the Area Dry
Remove as much moisture as possible by blotting the spot with dry paper towels. To finish, let the area air dry completely.
Washable Fabrics
You can easily wash and remove semen stains on fabric, including underwear, sheets, and other clothes.
Step 1: Brush off Dry Stains
For fabric that isn’t silk or wool, start by rubbing a dry stain with a soft-bristled brush.
If the semen is fresh, start by rinsing the remaining stain quickly with cold water. Avoid hot or warm water because it can set protein stains into the fabric.
Step 2: Pre-Treat the Stain
For cotton and other resilient fabrics, pre-treat the stained area with an enzyme-based pre-washing spray. Let the spray soak into the material. Hydrogen peroxide and cool water can also remove the semen on white clothes and bedding.
For silk and wool, mix a solution of cold water and a little bit of detergent for delicates. Leave the stain to soak.
Step 3: Wash as Usual
To finish, wash the fabric as you normally do. Toss the clothes or bedding into the washing machine with detergent and run the appropriate cycle.
Does Cum Stain?
Like other stains, the sooner you get rid of cum stains, the better. If you can wash cum out straight away, it is unlikely to stain.
Does Dried Sperm Stain?
Dried cum stains have the potential to stain if you don’t treat them properly. However, now that you know how to remove cum stain residue correctly using the procedures above, that shouldn’t happen.
We are too shy to show pictures of a sperm stain in our blog. But, you can watch this video on how to remove a semen stain.
Like blood stains, you must avoid using hot water or bleach when treating semen stains. Both blood and semen contain protein, which can be hard to clean. Semen also has other ingredients, but they aren’t what makes treating tricky. Bleach and warm or hot water can set protein stains into fabric fibers, leading to a permanent mark.
How Long Do Sperm Stains Last?
When protein in sperm stains sets into material fibers, it can last for months or even years. Protein stains are so potent that DNA can be retrieved for many months, even after multiple washes.
How Do You Tell If It’s a Sperm Stain?
You can identify sperm stains using black lights, at-home detection kits, and conclusive testing methods. Determining whether a suspected stain is semen ensures you treat it appropriately.
Check out our article 4 Reliable Method on How to Detect Sperm Stains.
