Blood stains on underwear are inevitable during menstruation. This problem is very annoying, and must be addressed quickly to get your underwear back to its original state as much as possible. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to clean new stains, and even some of them you can use to clean old ones, if needed.
Step
Step 1. Clean your underwear as soon as possible
The sooner you do this, the more likely the stain will be removed.
Step 2. Only use cold water, preferably ice water
Hot or warm water will make the stain sink even further, making it impossible to clean.
Step 3. Dry the underwear if the stain remains after you have tried one of the cleaning methods
This will prevent the stain from sinking further, as if you were using a tumble dryer. Only use a tumble dryer if the stain has been removed successfully.
Method 1 of 7: Washing with Cold Water and Soap
Step 1. Fill the bucket with cold water
The colder the water you use, the better.
Step 2. Put the stained underwear in the water
Push the underwear until it is submerged in the water, then rub the stain. Clean the stain as much as possible. You can use a little soap. Rubbing hand soap or stain-removing soap onto the surface of the stain will help clean it.
Step 3. Rinse and rub the stain again
Then rinse. If the stain has cleared, your underwear can now be wrung out. If not, repeat the washing process one more time.
Step 4. Dry the underwear
You can dry or use a tumble dryer. If you need to dry the clothes quickly, use a hairdryer to do so.
Method 2 of 7: Machine Wash
This method is only suitable for machine washable underwear. The results of this method will not be as good as washing by hand because you are not rubbing it directly. However, if you just want to get underwear that is clean even if it's still a little stained, this is a way to consider. In addition, this method also consumes a lot of water if it is only used to wash one piece of clothing. Try to wash other clothes at the same time.
Step 1. Turn on the washing machine which has been filled with a little cold water
Add detergent as usual. You may need to spray on some stain remover before putting your underwear in the washing machine.
There are certain stain removal products that you can buy specifically for washing machines
Step 2. Dry the underwear as usual
Method 3 of 7: Washing with Hydrogen Peroxide
This method is best used for white underwear.
Soak
Step 1. Fill a bowl or bucket with a 1:3 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ice water
Step 2. Put on your underwear
Push the underwear into the hydrogen peroxide solution and let it sit for about half an hour.
Step 3. Check your underwear again
If the stain is gone, remove and rinse. If not, let it soak a little longer.
Step 4. Dry as usual
The stain on your underwear should now be gone.
Rub
Step 1. Soak a clean white cloth in the hydrogen peroxide solution
Squeeze
Step 2. Wipe the cloth onto the surface of the stain
The bloodstain should be gone.
Step 3. Rinse
Dry as usual.
Method 4 of 7: Washing With Liquid Bleach
This option can be used for white underwear that has not been cleaned successfully with a hydrogen peroxide solution.
Step 1. Pour one part bleach into six parts cold water in a bucket, sink, or other container
Step 2. Put the stained underwear in the bleach solution
Let it soak for a few hours.
Step 3. Remove and inspect the stain
When the stain is clear, wash and dry your underwear as usual. Soak the underwear longer if the stain is still there.
Be careful not to splash the bleach solution as it will turn anything white
Step 4. Wash your hands after touching or immersing yourself in the bleach solution
Or, wear protective gloves.
Method 5 of 7: Washing with Salt (for Colored Underwear)
Step 1. Mix two parts cold water with one part salt in a bucket or sink
Step 2. Put the stained garment in and wet it completely
Step 3. Rub the stained area gently
Use salt to scrape and help remove stains.
Step 4. Rinse
Wash and dry underwear as usual.
Method 6 of 7: Using Dishwashing Powder
Step 1. Use dish soap powder on stained underwear
Sprinkle this powder a little, then rub on the stained area.
Step 2. Rinse
Repeat if the stain has not gone away.
Step 3. Dry the underwear as usual
Method 7 of 7: Using Meat Tenderizer
Step 1. Make a solution of one tablespoon of meat tenderizer and two tablespoons of ice water
Mix the two together to form a paste.
Step 2. Spread the meat tenderizer paste on the surface of the stain on the underwear
Leave it for 1-2 hours. This paste will loosen the stain.
Step 3. Wash the underwear
You can wash it by hand or machine. Use detergent as usual.
Step 4. Dry as usual
Tips
- Black or dark underwear can hide stains. This option can be a great solution during your period so you don't see the stain and just have to wash it as usual.
- You can wash your underwear while taking a cold shower. Use bath soap to rub the stain.
- Stubborn stains may have soaked and should be removed with a special commercial cleaner.
- If your underwear has been soaked in blood for a long time, and the blood has dried, simply machine wash and dry it. There may still be some stains left, but your underwear will come back clean so you don't have to throw it away.
- You don't need to use soap if you wash your underwear by hand. Water and friction when rubbing alone is enough to clean the stain.
Warning
- Do not use hot water because it will make the blood seep even more.
- Never use the dryer until you are satisfied with the washing result.
- Machine washing and drying may still result in stains (if you wash clothes within one day of getting blood on them).
- Hydrogen peroxide can discolor some materials, especially dark ones.
