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Returns 7 Simple Ways to Remove Period Stains
Period leaks happen. No matter how good your period protection is, sometimes your period arrives unexpectedly early, or is heavier than anticipated. Or maybe your pad slides to one side. Or your bum cheeks eat your period pants.
That's life. And it's sods law that it happens when you're wearing white trousers or sleeping on white sheets too (although our fantastic period pants are great at preventing period leaks overnight and are comfortable too).
While dealing with period stains might feel like a hassle, it doesn't have to be a blot on your day and many household items can be used to successfully remove blood stains.
In this post we'll also share the one thing which you must NOT do with period blood otherwise you could end up setting the stain forever....
But first, here's our list of the 7 best ways to remove period stains:
- Cold Water
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Lemon Juice
- Vinegar
- Meat Tenderiser
- Stain Removal Spray
- Salt
- One Thing You MUST Not Do To Period Stains!
1. Cold Water
The Go-To First Step: Cold water is your absolute bestie when it comes to fresh period stains. Cold water helps prevent the blood from setting into the fabric.
How It Works: Rinse or soak the stained item in a sink with cold water or a Strucket as soon as possible. If you're using period pants or reusable pads and don't want to rinse your pants or pads when out of the house, just fold them in on themselves and rinse or soak in cold water for up to 24 hours when you get home.
Machine wash as usual, with another squirt of stain remover if you have it on hand. See tip 7!
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Have you ever used hydrogen peroxide on a cut? It's bubbles up when it hits the blood stain and that makes it so satisying! If you have a light-coloured fabrics with a stubborn stain, hydrogen peroxide acts as a gentle bleach, helping to lift dried in stains.
How It Works: Apply a small amount directly to the stain, let it bubble up (that means it's working), then rinse off and wash. For dried in stains you may need more than one application however and if you have already rinsed in cold water, this can be done in warm water at 40c to help boost the stain removing power of the H2O2.
Caution: Always spot-test a hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t bleach your fabric too much.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent which is fabulous for stain removing, especially when aided by sunlight. Sunlight is a brilliant way of removing lots of stains, especially organic stains like poo from reusable nappies for example which can be 'sunned out'.
How It Works: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on the stain and let it sit in the sun for extra bleaching power before washing as usual.
4. Vinegar
Versatile Stain Fighter: White vinegar’s mild acidity can tackle a range of stains without damaging your fabrics. It's great for breaking
How It Works: Dilute some vinegar with water, apply to the stain, let sit for a bit, then wash. It’s great for darker fabrics where traditional bleach isn’t an option.
5. Meat Tenderiser
You may not have come across meat tenderiser before but this is basically a product full of enzymes which makes your meat more tender by breaking down the protein. Using it on blood stains is essentially the same thing, it breaks down the proteins in the blood, making the stain easier to wash out.
How It Works: Make a paste with water, apply to the dried blood stain, wait for 30 mins or so, then wash as normal in the washing machine.
6. Stain Removal Spray
Commercial Solutions: There are many proprietary stain removers on the market designed to tackle specific biological stains like blood. However we really LOVE this Oxi Action spray which worked really well in removing period stains from a pair of my daughters shorts. I had to repeat the process twice, but the spray 'fizzed' on the blood stains which was super satisfying. Looking at their reviews, on reviewer said
'This actually works, especially on dried blood stains, and I do not even have to leave it on. Just spray some on before putting into machine. It does not clog up the detergent drawer as tablets or gel does, making it harder to clean. For the price works better than more expensive ones.'
7.Salt
Loads of people (including Kirstin on our team) really recommend using salt to shift blood stains.
How It Works: Salt can work in two ways to remove blood stains. Either chuck some into the cold water your using to soak your blood stained items, or make a paste with cold water and apply to the stain. Gently rub the paste in, then wash to remove the stain.
One Thing You MUST Not Do To Period Stains!
So many people don't know this and end up with stains which are impossible to remove.
Here's one thing you must not do to period blood stains: Do NOT apply hot water to a fresh blood stain. Blood is a protein stain and as such, applying hot water 'sets' the stain. Think about it like an egg white, when heated, it will 'set'. Cool or cold water on blood stains first and foremost!
With these simple tips, you'll sort period stains without breaking a sweat. Remember, the sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of removing it completely.
Whether it’s your favourite pair of white trousers or your boyfriend's crisp white sheets, there’s no reason to let a little period blood cramp your style!
Have you tried any of these methods, or do you have a go-to trick of your own? Share your experiences or any questions in the comments below – we’re all ears and here to help make your period as hassle-free as possible.
Check out our range of eco-friendly period products at Cheeky Wipes, designed to keep you comfortable and confident, no matter what your period throws your way. From handling heavy flows to bed mats and struckets to soak soiled pads and pants, we’ve got you covered.
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If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy:
Why your reusable period pants might be leaking (and how to fix it)
The ultimate guide to having sex on your period
How do I know when my period pants are full?
How to clean your vagina and vulva: The Do's and Don'ts
About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable period kits and reusable sanitary pads.
The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.
