We’ve all been there: While attempting to balance bags, boxes, and your kid’s toys in your arms, you take a tumble and scrape your knees. Even though you’re a pro at picking yourself back up, the blood stains on your pant leg show otherwise. Cleaning up your wound — even if it’s minor — should always be your first concern, but then it’s time to tackle the blood stain on your clothing, especially if it’s still fresh.

Recommends that you follow the same approach to get blood out of clothes. The only catch: Check the labels on your clothing to make sure that bleach (the stain-busting MVP) won’t discolor or ruin the fabric. And while everyone is always looking for the newest household remedy to get rid of stains (think: vinegar, baking soda, or toothpaste), Forte says it’s better to stick with what works, which is why this easy step-by-step guide on the best way to remove fresh and dried blood exists.

How to Get Blood out of Clothes

Like most other stains, blood is easiest to remove when it’s fresh. As soon as you notice blood on your clothes, head to your medicine cabinet and laundry room to gather supplies, and then get to work by following this how-to guide.

Soak the stain in cold water as quickly as possible. If the stain is super fresh, place it under cold running water to flush out as much of the blood as possible.

If fresh, sponge the stain with hydrogen peroxide or rub bar soap into the stain and scrub by hand in cold water.

Apply laundry pre-treater or rub in liquid laundry detergent, and wash the remaining stain in warm water with a fabric-safe bleach until the stain is gone.

Refrain from putting the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone.

How to Get Dried Blood out of Clothing

Just because you waited to remove an old blood stain, doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Instead, you’ll just need a little patience and some heavy-duty stain remover.

Pre-soak the garment in a mixture of cold water and laundry detergent or stain remover like Carbona Oxy Powered Laundry Soaker.

Pre-treat and launder with fabric-safe bleach. (FYI, this may take several hours, depending on the severity of the stain.)

If this doesn’t work, mix 1 quart of water with 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent and 1 tablespoon of ammonia, and spot treat.