Use the coldest water you can get from your tap. Hot water can cause the blood to set into the fabric.
You may be surprised how much of the stain disappears with just a little water!
You can use whatever soap you have on hand—hand soap, liquid laundry detergent, or a solid laundry bar are all good options. Try rubbing your garment gently for at least 30 seconds. [4] X Expert Source Ayad MirjanDry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist Expert Interview. 11 August 2021.
If the stain is still present, wash the underwear with soap and water one more time. If the blood isn’t completely gone after that, you may need to try a different approach.
Don’t wring the underwear out, as this might stretch them.
For instance, if you hang the underwear to dry in your bathroom, leave the door open so air can circulate. If you want to dry your underwear quickly, try hanging them in front of a fan. Avoid putting the underwear in the dryer unless you’re sure the stain is totally gone. The heat will cause the blood to set into the fabric, and it will be much more difficult to remove. In addition, it’s best to air dry underwear because the heat from the dryer can damage the elastic.
Hydrogen peroxide will bleach your fabric, so do not use it on dark or brightly-colored underwear. [7] X Research source This is most effective on fresh stains, but may be effective on set-in stains as well.
Make sure the cloth or sponge you use is something that’s okay to get stained, since it may absorb some of the blood.
Move to a clean section of the cloth whenever the blood transfers to the section you’re using.
If the stain was older and set-in, there may be some light staining that doesn’t come up. In that case, try an enzymatic cleaner to try to remove the last of the blood. Once the stain is gone, air-dry your underwear or place them in the dryer.
Since the salt won’t discolor your underwear, this approach is good for dark or brightly-colored fabrics. A salt scrub will be most effective if the blood is fresh, but it can also be helpful for set-in stains. You can mix the scrub in a bowl, or you could just pour the salt onto your underwear and add water.
If the stain is set in, try letting the salt sit on the fabric for about 5 minutes before you scrub the underwear.
For instance, you might work from the top of the stain to the bottom, from the left to the right, or all the around the perimeter toward the inside of the stain.
Hot water will cause any remaining blood to set deeply into the fabric, where it will be difficult or impossible to remove. If the stain is gone, hang your underwear up to dry or put them in the dryer. If the stain is still there, try using a different approach to clean them.
You can typically find enzymatic cleaners at major retailers that sell cleaning supplies, but if there isn’t one available near you, you can order them online. Oxygenated bleach may also help remove set-in stains. If you don’t have these products available, you might be able to remove the stain with items you already have at home, like baking soda, lemons, or meat tenderizer.
You can also make a paste from unseasoned meat tenderizer or crushed aspirin or ibuprofen tablets.
Do not use this on brightly-colored or dark underwear, as the lemon juice will stain them.
