First things first, let’s talk about prevention (because less really is more when it comes to removing blood stains from fabric).
Preventing period leaks while sleeping (or awake)
Period leaks can happen at any time, especially when your kid is new to Club Menstruate and still figuring out their cycle (we’ve all been there). At night, they're taking less-frequent bathroom breaks, so the opportunity for period leaks increases. My best advice for preventing period leaks is a pair of Kt’s Period Underwear. There’s a whole range of absorbency levels, sizes, and styles to choose from so you can find the pair that work best for your child.
If you’re thinking, "We are way past prevention, bestie. I need tips to remove blood stains from their clothes, like now." I got you.
For the times when your teen doesn't have their Period Underwear handy and they experience leaks, here are some tips on how to clean and remove period stains from underwear, linens, and mattresses.
How to remove fresh blood stains from fabric
If the blood stain is fresh, it will be pretty easy to remove. The key is to ACT FAST! The sooner you can start removing the stain, the better. Start by running the fabric under cold water to get as much blood out as possible. (Hot water will set the stain deeper into the fabric.) You should see a lot of the stain come out already. If you’re dealing with a Stubborn Steve, try spot-treating it with soap or detergent.
For underwear and gentle fabrics, choose a soap or detergent made for delicates. How you wash the clothing will depend on the fabric. If it’s a more delicate knit, like underwear, our big sister Knix explains it best – GENTLY dab it. (Emphasis on gently!) If it’s something sturdier like jeans, you can add a bit more pressure when you scrub it. The stain should be gone after you spot treat it, but toss it in the wash to finish it off. If you can’t wash the blood stain right away, treat it with a spot remover and soak it in cold water overnight then throw it in the wash as soon as you can.
How to remove dried blood stains from fabric
Maybe you weren’t able to remove the blood stain right away and it dried. Maybe your teen had a fresh stain on their clothes, spot-cleaned it and tossed it in the wash, but it’s still coming back stronger than a '90s trend (Taylor Swift lyrics really work with anything). Old blood stains can be tricky. I find the best thing to do is dip a dry washcloth or towel in hydrogen peroxide and dab it on the stain. Try not to rub, and be careful on darker clothing as hydrogen peroxide can cause the dye on their clothing to fade.
How to make DIY stain remover for blood stains
If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide handy, don’t worry. Chemistry is WILD, try these DIY stain removers instead:
- Lemon juice - Cut a lemon in half and rub it over the stain. The acid should help break down the blood stain.
- Salt - Mix one part salt and two parts cold water. Gently apply the mix to the stain.
- Baking soda – Same idea as the salt method. Mix water and baking soda to make a paste then apply it directly to the stain.
- Aspirin (yeah, seriously) – crush some up and mix with water to form a paste. Apply the same way as baking soda or salt.
Afterwards, rinse off the fabric really well with cold water and toss it in the washing machine. One of these should do the trick, and I highly recommend it first beforing buying a new pair of panties or bed sheets.
How to remove blood stains from a mattress
You don’t have a tap or washing machine on your side here, but that’s a-okay! Wet a washcloth or towel with cold water and firmly dab the stain. This might take some time, but a fresh stain should come out eventually. For a dried or tough blood stain, try mixing one part baking soda with two parts of cold water. Apply the mixture to the stain and leave it for about half an hour, then clean the area with a towel and cold water. (Remember, dab don’t rub!) Then use a dry towel to blot out as much moisture as possible. When you’re trying to get blood out of a mattress, it’s important to remember not to soak it with tons of water. If you use too much water, your mattress will literally never dry. After you’ve got the stain out, put a fan near the wet spot to help it dry faster (this is especially helpful if your house/climate tends to be damp).
Voila, no more period stains! Pretty cool, right?
Want to help prevent leaks? Shop Period Underwear now.
