DIY Fake Blood

Knowing how to whip up a batch of fake blood can be a valuable skill. It is important to also know, however, when to go the DIY fake blood route vs. when you might need to step up to a more professional solution for your blood and gore needs.

Today we’ll show you how to make your very own DIY fake blood and give you some tips on when to buy and when to DIY.

Let’s get started!

How to Make Non-Toxic (but Staining) DIY Fake Blood

• First, start with 16 ounces of corn syrup in a bowl, doesn’t matter what type or what brand. This is the best base for fake blood. It’s also super-cheap. Bonus!
• Next, add one ounce (about two tablespoons) of red food dye.
• Slowly stir until the red dye is mixed into the corn syrup to form a consistent red color. Be careful, especially with automatic mixers, since you may splash red food dye all over the place and stain whatever is in the vicinity.
• To darken the red and make the blood look more realistic (if desired) add approximately five drops of green food dye.
• Stir again until the color is consistent.

There you have it. A quick and easy way to mix up some DIY fake blood.

Again, please note that while this recipe is non-toxic (in other words safe to have on your skin, around your eyes, in your mouth, etc.) it will stain everything in sight. Your skin, hair, clothes, props, and other belongings will be stained bright red, and these stains can be incredibly difficult to get out.

How to Make Non-Staining (but Toxic) DIY Fake Blood

Simple.

• Take the recipe from above and add about a tablespoon of dish soap.
• Stir until the dish soap is mixed in well.

Now you have fake blood that prevents stains (though you should always test washability in a small spot before going all in). This blood is now toxic, however, and you should not get it on your face, around your eyes, in your mouth, or leave it on your skin for extended periods of time.

When DIY Fake Blood Makes Sense

DIY fake blood makes sense in the following situations:

• You want the absolute cheapest fake blood you can find – The ingredients for DIY fake blood are incredibly inexpensive. If you’re strapped for cash this is a great way to create your effects on the cheap.
• You’re willing to choose between safety and washability – As indicated in the video and earlier in this article, there are two basic recipes for DIY fake blood. One is safe to get in your mouth, on your skin, etc. but will stain anything it comes into contact with. The other prevents stains, but is not safe to get in your mouth, around your eyes, or leave on your skin for extended periods of time.
• You have the time to procure the ingredients and mix up the blood yourself – Acquiring the ingredients and mixing everything up takes time. There’s also the cleanup factor if you accidentally get food dye on anything while you’re mixing up your batch.
• You just want to learn how to do it – Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Have at it.

When To Buy Instead Of DIY

DIY fake blood probably doesen’t make sense in the following situations:

• You need a lot of blood – Making a few ounces of fake blood? No big deal. Making gallons and gallons of fake blood? That can take all day.
• You’re working on / with someone else’s property – Don’t take the chance of ruining someone else’s stage, props, costumes, home, etc.
• You need to keep your actors safe, but you also want cleanup to be quick and easy – If you can’t afford to choose between safety and washability, DIY fake blood just won’t cut it.
• You’re working with children – Children will get the blood all over the place, so it needs to be non-staining. They also need the blood to be safe, though, so it needs to be non-toxic. This combination is not possible with DIY fake blood.

If you need your fake blood to be both safe and washable, step up to what the pros use. Our blood products are trusted by top theatres, movie productions and TV shows.