Do you know how to get period blood stains out of your clothes? Every menstruating person on Earth has come up against this little challenge. You know, when you wake up after a rough and restless night to find that your period protection didn't quite do the job. You see your gorgeous white undies stained with blood and then, well, let's not even talk about the bedsheets.
And who among us hasn't been at least a little bit afraid of their period flow soaking through their jeans at work or school? These things happen, and they're the reason knowing how to quickly remove a blood stain is a key skill.
One of the best ways you can get past this fear and anxiety is by changing the protection you use. Menstrual undies are real game changers when it comes to regaining peace of mind.
How to get a dried blood stain out of your clothes: Undies and jeans
It goes without saying that here at Mme L'Ovary, we're always advocating the importance of equipping ourselves with menstrual products we can put our full confidence behind. But we know that stains happen to everyone anyway, especially on the first day of their cycle or when their period shows up early. That's why it's good to know how to make those blood stains disappear.
Getting period spots out of white undies
Rest assured: a blood stain on your pretty white undies doesn't necessarily mean you have to throw them in the trash! But the first mistake you want to avoid is using hot water. The heat binds the blood to the garment, which increases the risk of a permanent stain. So here's how to do it.
- First off, don't panic! Take a deep breath and tell yourself that it's just period blood. There's nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
- If the stain's fresh, cleaning's simple. Cold water and soap are often more than enough to remove the stain without damaging your favourite undies.
- But if the stain's had time to dry - if the blood is encrusted - you should let your undies soak, always in cold water, for a few hours.
- Then, if the stain hasn't wandered off on its own, a quick ride in your washing machine, again with cold water, is a good idea.
We do not necessarily recommend old-school approaches like peroxide or lemon juice. They can actually damage your undies. To see your undies live the long life they deserve, avoid heat of any kind until the stain is gone.
How can you get a period stain out of jeans?
Whether you have a heavy flow or not, the risk of menstrual blood soaking through your undies and into your jeans is a reality. Unless, of course, you've got period undies with removable pads, which allow you to stay dry all day without worrying about overflow!
To get a blood stain out of your jeans, you start with the same principles you applied to cleaning your undies.
- No heat!
- Take a washcloth and rinse the stain with cold water.
- Gently dab the whole stained area. But don't rub! You might just end up spreading the blood around. If the stain's fresh, this method is enough to dislodge it without damaging your jeans.
- Repeat the process until only water is left when you sponge.
- For a dried blood stain, let your jeans soak for at least 10 to 30 minutes.
- Then put them in the washing machine for a cold water ride with your favourite detergent, organic if possible.
- Have a look and see if the stain's still there.
- If it's gone, you can put your jeans in the dryer. If not, let your jeans dry in the open air. Otherwise, the heat from the dryer will bind the stain to the fabric.
How to get period stains out of sheets and mattresses?
Have you ever woken up to see that famous red spot on your Egyptian white cotton sheets? You're not alone!
Sheets
Here are some tips for menstruating people who sometimes wake up with soggy undies and stained sheets:
- With both undies and jeans, the golden rule is no heat! And the same goes for sheets. Use cold water and dab. Don't rub. If you do, you might spread the stain and soak it into other parts of the fabric.
- Soak the sheet if the stain persists. Cold water, mild soap, then a cycle in your laundry machine!
- If the stain has disappeared, throw the sheet in the dryer. Otherwise, hang dry and start again!
Mattresses
So now you know how to remove period stains from clothing and sheets. Well done! Unfortunately, getting them out of mattresses is a little harder. Most tips call for cold water, but you can't soak a mattress or it might not dry.
What you need is to find the best way of getting the stain out with as little fluid as possible. To do that, you'll need a sponge, a bit of liquid soap, and a little patience. The fresher the stain, the easier it'll be to dab it out.
- Wet your sponge with cold water.
- Put a drop of liquid soap on it.
- Dab the stain.
- Use a portable fan to dry the area.
- Repeat the process as many times as necessary.
Careful you don't get your mattress too wet. Go slowly over several applications.
Menstrual undies to put an end to your fears and frustrations
The Internet is packed with advice on how to tackle stubborn blood stains, but the best solution will always be to go for period protection that's adapted to your flow and makes you feel confident. Even though menstrual blood isn't shameful or dirty, the stress of having stained clothes at school or work can be easily avoided. Plus, with the right protection, you can say goodbye to morning scenes that look a little too much like Carrie's prom!
There are different types of period kits to meet the needs of all menstruating people, regardless of how heavy your flow happens to be. From day styles to night, this kind of protection will bring you confidence and peace of mind.
If you want to learn more about Mme L'Ovary's menstrual products, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help you live a comfortable menstrual cycle!
