So you’ve just finished your period cycle and have gathered a few period-stained underwear ready to wash. But you realise you also have other clothes you need to wash, but you don’t want to risk staining the rest of your laundry with period blood! The good news is you have options - and we’re here to help shed some light on the matter. So pull up your panties, and let’s dive right into the world of menstrual stains in the wash!
Cleaning bloodstained clothes
The challenge of cleaning bloodstained clothes is that they can become permanently stained if not washed right away. Whether you have stains on your pants or jeans from periods, here are our best tips for removing them efficiently.
Don’t use warm water
There are a few things you can do to minimise the chance of your period blood staining other clothes in the wash. Firstly, don’t use hot water - this will set the blood into the fabric. Instead, use cold or lukewarm water first. You can also soak your stained clothes in cold water for a few hours before washing them.
Myths about blood staining other laundry
While we’re on the topic of blood stains, let’s clear up some common myths about menstrual blood staining other clothes in the wash.
Never wash blood-stained clothes with other washing
The first myth is that you should never wash blood-stained clothes with other laundry. This is simply not true! If you pre-treat and use cold water, you’re unlikely to have any problems. And your blood stained clothes won’t transfer onto other clothes.
Blood is harder to remove than other stains
Another myth is that period blood is harder to remove than other types of stains. Again, this is not true! Period blood is actually easier to remove than many other types of stains, such as protein-based stains (e.g. blood, sweat, vomit).
Blood will get all over other washing if you wash them with period pants
This is a common misconception and worry amongst most people. The fact is it's perfectly hygienic to wash your period underwear with your other laundry. For additional peace of mind, give them a quick rinse after use, allow them to dry, and then wash them with your other washing the next day.
Cleaning period stained underwear
All you need to do if you are using our period pants rinse them with cold water before washing them either by hand or in a suitable machine under 40 degrees Celsius. It’s advisable not to use fabric conditioners, bleaching agents, or tumble dryers since these affect the core's absorbency.
It is best not to soak or wash your period underwear in hot water. The reason behind this is that the blood can either set in as well as reducing the effectiveness of the anti-leak technology that we have designed in order to keep you comfortable and dry throughout the day.
When you are finished washing your underwear, hang them up or place them on a flat surface and let them dry.
Blog disclaimer
Our blog is intended to share information and ideas around periods, health, and sustainability. While we do our best to keep content accurate and up to date, things can change over time. The information here is not intended as medical advice — for any health-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. For more information on our claims, please see our Claims Page, and for the most up-to-date product information, please visit our Product Pages.
