any fantastic tips on getting blood stains out?

[lyra41]

Every month it's the same, my dd and me make a mess of the bed sheets and our knicks, and even tho' I soak in cold water, nothing seems to work on getting the stains out. all advice gratefully received!

cold water and a bar of vanish soap it is really great on blood stains. wet the stains rub the soap over and then bung in the wash. Not sure how much it will help on old stains though once blood is washed in it's a nightmare to get out.

NO don't hot wash - it just sets the stain. Soak in coldwater and bleach, then cold wash with oxy.

I find soaking usually does the trick on its own. You have to tackle it pretty quickly though and soak in masses of cold water. Perhaps when you wash things, pop in something like a spoonful of Ecover bleach to boost the cleaning.

On a more pragmatic approach, I would suggest only wearing oldish pants that don't really matter. On my heaviest days, I used to use a protector mat on top of the sheet - Boots used to do really nice cotton ones that felt nice to lie on, not the yucky plasticky ones. Even that used to wash up well after soaking. Have to say, it's not a problem now I use a combination of a mooncup and cloth pad at night.

ok it's a bit gross but it works.......

.....spit!

the enzymes in your spit will break down the blood.

I use the same porto, but it still seems to sneak past.... Have recently resorted to wearing thick black trackie bottoms as well, but it gets a bit hot.

thanks for all your tips.

cold water and salt...

Soak in Biotex.

ACE laundry bleach works like magic

do NOT wash first.... just pour iton neat... watch it all fizz away before your very eyes... leave a few hours to soak in then wash as normal!

When soaking in cold water, add plenty of salt (cheap table salt is fine).

Rinse under cold running water first.

Try not to let the stain 'set' - so rinse whilst still wet.

Hang on washing line to dry - sunlight helps bleach stains.

On my heavier days, I wear a pair of 'hold me in' knickers over my normal knickers - it seems to hold the pad in place more securely so it doesn't move and lead to leaks.

When washing ensure you're using bio powder / liquid. I use the Sainsburys bio powder balls just for this purpose (find they're a bit too harsh normally) - they come in a small box.

Emzy5 is right - you should spit on the blood.

The spit should come from the person whom the blood belongs to as then it will have exactly the right enzymes to break it down. I don't think it is so effective if you spit on someone elses blood!!!! LOL!!!! I am serious!!!!

Also, the stain must go in cold water as hot water will set it.

You could wear those paper maternity knicks (can't actually remember how cheap or expensive they are) on really heavy days. If using pads, make sure they are proper night ones for overnight and make sure they have wings.

I second the BioTex

Apply neat Ace. Ace makes it all froth up. When the froth has died down, add more, each application takes more of the blood out. Then rinse in cold water and wash as normal.

Ace also works on old blood.

what is ace?

Third the biotex.

Wearing black knickers works pretty well too.