Every month, Mother Nature swings by to say hello and give us a monthly gift. Of course, "gift" is a relative term when you're talking about periods.
It may not be our favorite time of the month, but after a while, we learn to deal with the quite literal pain in the butt. Usually, most period-related issues are suffered in silence, but leaving stains on sheets or towels is an embarrassing problem that needs to be dealt with fast.
Just imagine how much money and time you spend on underwear shopping that you could save if it was easier to remove stains from your sheets, designated period panties, and other clothing items.
If you've gone all these years without figuring out your go-to period-bloodstain solution, look no further. Read on to find the best hacks for your period-bloodstain removal.
Thumbnail Photo: Flickr / Mike Mozart
What Is Period Blood?
The simple answer to this question is that period blood is blood.
However, menstrual blood might be a little different from what's found in the rest of your body.
According to Kotex, some of it could be tissue lining from your uterus as well. That's why your period varies in color.
Of course, the blood has an unfortunate tendency to leave stains on our underwear and other clothing.
Ways To Remove Period Blood Stains 1. Cold Water
With most stains, hot water is the clear winner for a quick fix on a fresh stain.
However, all bets are off when it comes to period blood. If you leak on something that is small enough to fit in a sink, try running it under cold water and watch the blood almost peel off.
2. Hand Soap
We sometimes forget that hand soap can be used to clean things other than hands.
This is perfect for when you have to quickly clean something in the bathroom.
Just pump a little onto the stain along with the cold water and watch your accident disappear.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide may sound a little scary, but even Women's Health gets behind this hack.
Try dabbing a washcloth with some hydrogen peroxide and applying it directly to the spot. Follow with a quick cold-water rinse.
This should go without saying, but only use this trick on whites and light fabrics.
4. Crushed Up Aspirin
Crushing up pills isn't the type of thing we'd normally recommend. However, it turns out to be a proven method for stain removal.
Instructables recommends crushing up enough pills and mixing the powder with a little water to make a paste.
Let it sit for a couple minutes before you rinse. This is also a good technique for protein-based stains like sweat or egg yolk.
5. Baking Soda
The procedure for using baking soda stains is more or less the same as it is for aspirin.
Just make a paste, apply it to the stain, and let the baking soda do all the work. Rinse when the paste is dry and reveal your new clean fabric.
6. Salt Wash Solution
Salt is way more than just something to sprinkle on your food. It can be used to clean wounds, and as it turns out, blood stains, too!
How Stuff Works suggests just covering the stain with salt and blotting it with cold water.
If that doesn't work, try soaking the stained item for an hour or so in a saline solution. Afterward, wash using warm water.
7. Vinegar
Vinegar is awesome for cleaning sneaker soles and getting rid of bloodstains.
Soak the stain in vinegar and rinse under water to help make the stain history.
8. Coke
It make sound wacky to remove a stain with soda, but according to Lifehacker, this hack really works!
Of course, the hack works best on dark fabrics. The acidity and carbonation is what's responsible for this.
Pour a can of Coke into your washing machine along with detergent and the stained item, then put it through a cycle. You'll be surprised to learn this works!
9. Pretreat Stain With WD-40
Another option that sounds a little weird but actually works is using WD-40 to pretreat the stain.
According to Maids by Trade, the multipurpose lubricant should be sprayed on the stain to help loosen it up before being placed in the washing machine and put through a normal cycle.
Be sure to SHARE these awesome hacks with your lady friends!
