Many people have woken up to bloodstains on their bedsheets at least once - and it's not uncommon for the stain to remain in lighter-colored sheets or clothes, which is a frequent source of frustration. However, don't panic - it's possible to avoid staining your clothes and sheets during the night and wake up without swimming in the Red Sea!
Steps
Stain Clean-up
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Don't leave the stain to sit. As soon as you wake up and notice a stain, change or empty your menstrual product and then pull the sheet or towel off. If you leave the stain alone or lay in bed for a while longer, it'll be harder to get out.
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Rinse the stains out in the sink with cold water. You usually don't have to do anything special if the blood is fresh - cold water and a bit of scrubbing with soap can usually get it out. [8] X Research source Never use warm or hot water to wash out the blood, though - that will actually cause it to set, making the stain worse. [9] X Research source
- If the stain is bad, try soaking it for up to an hour or two and seeing if that helps.
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Use hydrogen peroxide on particularly stubborn stains. If the stain hasn't come out with water and soap, as well as soaking, try putting a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the stain. You shouldn't need to do any scrubbing - it'll often come out on its own.
- Hydrogen peroxide can bleach dark fabrics, so if the affected fabric is dark, either avoid this method or try diluting the peroxide with water.
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Spot-treat your mattress as soon as possible. If the stain has bled through to your mattress, don't panic - you can still get it out. Use a bit of hydrogen peroxide and a clean cloth to blot the stain; deeper stains can be treated by dabbing at the spot with laundry detergent or even a paste of water and baking soda applied for at least half an hour. [10] X Research source Just take caution not to soak the mattress, so that it will dry.
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Wash your sheets and/or clothes in cold water. After you've gotten as much of the stain out as possible, just wash the clothes and sheets normally with cold water. This will get the items clean again, and while there might still be a bit of a stain, it won't be as bad as it was when you woke up.
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Tips
- Try a saline solution (or even just cold water and salt) on bloodstains. This may be more effective than just plain water. [11] X Research sourceThanks
- If you sleep on your side with your knees up, make sure (if you're using a pad) that it's more focused on the back. Since the front is a lot more close together, the back is wider open, causing more leaking space if your pad isn't wide enough or if you're rough in your sleep.Thanks
- Soaking stained sheets or other clothes in milk will help to fade or even eliminate the stains.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Wear extra long night pads. Not only are they longer, usually they become big at the back so no matter what position you sleep in, youll be covered.
Warnings
- Wearing a tampon while asleep is more dangerous, because you may not wake up in time to change it. Leaving in a tampon for longer than 8 hours drastically increases the risk of toxic shock syndrome, which can be fatal.Thanks
- Heavy periods that result in leaks during the night may be a sign of other gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, menorrhagia, or fibroids, which are benign growths in the womb. It could also mean that your level of iron is below what is healthy, so make an appointment to see your doctor for a checkup.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.natracare.com/blog/how-to-stop-period-leaks-at-night/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355384
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556184/
- ↑ https://menstrualcupreviews.net/cloth-vs-disposable-menstrual-pads/
- ↑ https://www.ubykotex.com/en-us/periods/know-your-flow/how-heavy-should-your-period-be-at-night-i-soak
- ↑ https://divacup.com/how-it-works/how-it-works/
- ↑ https://www.eliterest.com/sleep/how-to-sleep-on-your-period/
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-get-rid-of-period-stains
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-get-blood-out-of-sheets
About This Article
To avoid nighttime stains during your period, try using pads or tampons specifically designed to be worn overnight, or use a menstrual cup, which can usually hold more flow over a longer period of time. Also, change your product right before going to bed so it can absorb as much as possible during the night. If you’re still nervous about staining, put down a dark-colored towel in your bed to protect your sheets if you leak. For tips on how to pick an ideal sleep position to minimize leaks, read on!