Believe that every woman has had the experience of being unprepared when suddenly menstruation arrives. It can be quite distressing to find menstrual blood stains on your underwear. Many of us tend to think that boiling water has disinfectant properties, so washing menstrual blood with hot water not only cleans it but also acts as a disinfectant. But is that the case?
In reality, menstrual blood contains a significant amount of protein. If you directly use hot water to wash underwear stained with menstrual blood, the protein can coagulate and denature into proteins that are insoluble in water. These denatured proteins can remain on the underwear, leaving stains that are more challenging to remove. These residues may go unnoticed, and if a woman mistakenly believes her underwear is now clean, these residues can become a breeding ground for bacteria over time. This can lead to localized discoloration of the underwear and an increased risk of vaginal infections.
With this article, we aim to provide some suggestions on how to clean underwear stained with menstrual blood and offer guidance on maintaining proper hygiene during your period.
I.Methods for Removing Menstrual Blood Stains at Home
Method 1: use tissue and plastic bag to make the romoval
First, prepare for a stack of tissue, some cold water, a plastic bag, and a hairdryer. No need to worry about the type of tissue, anyone will do it. Firstly stack them together. Place the plastic bag under the area with menstrual blood. The reason for using the plastic bag is to prevent other items from getting wet when you place the wet paper towel on top.
Next, dampen the tissue with cold water. Remember to use cold water; using hot water will cause the blood to clot, making it harder to remove later.
Once the tissues are damp, place them on top of the plastic bag, right beneath the menstrual blood. After the tissue has dried most of the blood, the menstrual blood stain will be mostly gone.
Method 2: Sugar and Carrot Juice:
If you find menstrual blood stains on your clothing, do not wet them immediately.
Start by sprinkling a little white sugar on the stained area and gently rub it.
Slowly, the bloodstain will come off. If the bloodstain persists, you can use white carrot juice mixed with sugar to rub the affected area.
This method ensures that even stubborn or older bloodstains can be easily removed.
Method 3: White Vinegar + Laundry Detergent + Baking Soda:
When washing your underwear, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar, half a cup of laundry detergent, and a tablespoon of baking soda. Mix these ingredients and wash the stained area. Rinse with clean water.
These methods offer practical ways to deal with menstrual blood stains at home, ensuring your clothing remains clean and free of stains.
II.Methods Based on the Duration of Menstrual Blood Stains
For Fresh Blood Stains:
If the stain is relatively fresh, soak it in cold water and rub it vigorously to remove the menstrual blood. Then, wash it with hot water to ensure disinfection.
For Stubborn, Older Blood Stains:
Option 1:
- Soak the stained clothing in warm water with a bit of laundry detergent for about half an hour.
- Gently rub and scrub the stain with soap.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Note: Bleach can be harsh and is not recommended for intimate clothing. Consider using specialized laundry detergent for underwear.
Option 2:
- Soak the garment with stubborn bloodstains.
- Allow it to soak for a while until the fabric and the bloodstains soften.
- Rub sulfur soap onto the stains, repeating the process several times until the stains are removed.
Option 3:
- Apply toothpaste to cover the stubborn bloodstain.
- Let the toothpaste dry, then rinse it off with water.
- Follow up with a soap wash.
Option 4:
Use oxalic acid to clean the stains.
Lemon juice mixed with saltwater can also be used. Old menstrual blood often turns dark brown due to the oxidation of iron content in hemoglobin when exposed to air, similar to rust. Lemon juice, like fruit juices containing iron, can create brown rust-like stains when in contact with the air.
Oxalic acid helps dissolve these types of stains, and soaking them in lemon juice mixed with saltwater can remove the rust-like stains by dissolving the iron content into the water.
III.Avoid damaging fabrics
When dealing with period stains, it's important to avoid damaging the fabric. Here are some suggestions on how to protect your clothing:
- Avoid using hot water: Using hot water can cause blood stains to clot, making cleaning more difficult. It's best to choose cold or warm water as this will help keep the blood stain in a liquid state, making it easier to remove.
- Don’t use bleach on laundry: This point has been mentioned above.Bleach can damage fabric fibers, especially on colored items. Avoid using bleach as it may cause colors to fade or clothes to become brittle.
- Choose a mild underwear laundry detergent: Choose a mild laundry detergent, especially one designed to remove stains. Check the laundry detergent label to make sure it's suitable for different types of fabrics, including underwear.
- Follow laundry instructions: Each item of clothing has specific washing requirements. Be sure to follow the guidance on your laundry instructions to ensure you treat period stains correctly while protecting the quality of your fabric.
Treat stains quickly: Treat period stains as quickly as possible. Do not allow blood stains to dry on clothing as this will make it more difficult to remove them.