How to Get Period Blood Out of Underwear
For some of us, it’s a monthly reality. For others, it might be an occasional inconvenience. Regardless: When you get period stains on your underwear, it’s not the end of the world! Here's how to get blood out of your clothes.
First Things First: Blood Stains Happen
There’s still a lot of stigma and shame around reproductive health. This means many people find it painful to talk (even with friends!) about things like period stains on their underwear.
Some of us end up routinely tossing our favorite undies. Some of us spend our period days wearing underwear we’ve designated as “ruinable”.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. What’s more: You probably already have everything you need to get period stains out of underwear lying around. Stick with us!
How to Remove Blood Stains
When Dealing with Blood Stains: Act Swiftly, If You Can
The fresher the stain, the easier it will be to ensure you get all the period blood out of your underwear. We know it’s not always possible to act immediately, but if you can, do it.
Avoid just tossing your undies in your hamper and waiting for laundry day to come around.
You’ll probably be amazed how much of the stain comes out of your underwear if you get to it when it’s fresh.
Ignore the Hot Water Tap: Go for Cold Water
The biggest mistake people make when trying to get period blood out of underwear is to run the hottest water possible over it.
It’s a natural instinct. We wash dishes in hot water for a good reason, right? But hot water can have the opposite effect on fabric and cause stains to set in, making them even more difficult to remove.
Instead, go for ICE COLD water. Run it over the stain for a few minutes, letting the running cold water do the work. Odds are, you’ll see a lot of the period blood wash away from your underwear right away!
Kill Period Stains with Kindness
If the stain is a little more stubborn, you might be tempted to put some muscle into it. But remember: Underwear is made of delicate fabrics. This is especially true if you’re handling your favorite Knix Lace underwear.
But even your daily underwear can be easily stretched if you treat it too roughly. So, don’t work up a sweat scrubbing blood stains aggressively.
Instead, try gently using your nails, or an old soft toothbrush to gently rub the area where the blood is set on your underwear. If you use soap or laundry detergent, choose soap designed for delicate fabrics.
(Did you notice we said gently twice in that last sentence? We mean it… GENTLY)
Stain Removal Products Can Help Get Blood Out
If you need to up the ante to get a blood stain out, reach for your household stain removal products. Read the product instructions to make sure they can be used on the fabric of your underwear.
And remember: Products with bleach are generally not to be used on darker fabrics.
Again, work the product in gently. That old toothbrush can be a handy tool here as it allows you to pinpoint the exact area where there’s period blood on your underwear.
Follow the instructions: If you need to leave the product sit before rinsing, do.
MacGyver It With These Household Products
No stain-removal products at home? Don’t worry. You can even figure out how to get blood out of underwear with some common household items!
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a common antiseptic, so you might find you have some in your medicine cabinet. But you may not know that hydrogen peroxide is also very effective for stain removal.
Note: Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach so should only be used on light-colored panties. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on any dark color fabrics.
Pour some hydrogen peroxide into a small bowl and either dip the stained area into the liquid or use your trusty old toothbrush to work the liquid into the stain.
2. Lemon Juice
The acid in lemon can break down stains on your underwear. If you've got a lemon lying around, cut it in half. Then rub the lemon over the blood stain. The lemon juice will soak into the blood stain.
Continue until you see the stain is gone. You may have to repeat this process a few times for the stain to fully disappear. Finish by washing your undies in cool or cold water.
3. Salt
Salt is another great household stain-buster that will help get blood out of your underwear. You can quite literally use the salt you sprinkle on your dinner! Just mix one part salt and two parts cold water. Gently apply the salt mix to the stain and watch it disappear... Rinse the fabric well when you're done.
4. Baking Soda
Similar to salt, you can also make a paste from cold water and baking soda (yes, the kind you put in your fridge or freezer to deodorize it). Mix water and baking soda to form a paste and apply to the stained area. Again, always rinse well once you're done. Repeat if you don't get it all!
Wanna Get Even Weirder?
This might be getting a little weird... but there are even wackier ways to get those stains out of your undies. Feel like experimenting? Try these:
5. Aspirin
Follow the same method as with the salt or baking soda: Just crush a few aspirins and mix with water to form a paste. Apply it to the stain and you should see it start to budge.
6. Unseasoned Meat Tenderizer
Okay, this one is truly out there. Meat tenderizer is a blend of salt and bromelain used to tenderize... you guessed it... meat. That combo of ingredients also makes it a great stain remover.
Use the same method as before: Form a paste out of the tenderizer and water. Watch the meat tenderizer do its job. Rinse with plenty of cold water.
Once the Stain is Removed, Wash as Normal
Once the blood stain has completely faded, you can toss your underwear in the washing machine as usual. This will not only remove any remaining staining and dirt from sweat etc. but will also help get rid of any residue from stain remover or any of the other products you used. Residue from these products may irritate your skin (particularly the delicate skin of the vulva) so a spin in the washing machine will get everything fresh and ready to wear.
Skip the Dryer This Time
Just like hot water, the hot air in your dryer can cause any remaining blood stain to “set”. So, don’t toss your underwear in the dryer until you’re sure the period blood is fully removed.
Instead, you can hang the underwear to air dry. If you notice period stains still visible as your underwear dries, repeat the cleaning process!
Get Period Blood out of Underwear: Older Blood Stains
You can follow us through the same steps for older stains. But you might want to allow even more time. Start by soaking your undies in cold water for a few hours (even overnight) to thoroughly soak the stain.
Then use any of the treatments listed above to see if it will shift that stain. There are no guarantees when you're working with older stains. A lot will depend on the fabric. But if you have a favorite pair of undies, definitely give it a try.
Again, remember: Cold water is your friend. Don't be tempted by hot water or aggressive washing cycles. You might have to repeat steps and it might take more than one round of washing to completely remove an older stain.
Leakproof Underwear Is Designed to Help
Leaks happen. And while it's great to have these handy tips for stain removal, it might be time for a different approach.
If you're sick of ruining your favorite undies every month, check out our Period Underwear. They're super-absorbent, moisture-wicking, odor-killing, and quick-drying. Buh-bye panty-liners and unnecessary waste - they are the perfect protection during your period, either as full protection or as a backup to disposable products, like tampons. You’ll feel fresh no matter what happens.
Updated on October 9, 2021.
We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.