How to stop discharge bleaching underwear

If you want to save your undies, there are a few things you can do to ensure they last. While you can't prevent vaginal discharge, you can certainly reduce the impact on your undies.

From weighing up cotton underwear vs alternatives to your cleaning methods, here’s all you need to know about making sure your favourite undies survive.

What Causes Discharge to Bleach Undies?

Vaginal discharge bleaching underwear is a common occurrence, and it’s important to say that you cannot alter your discharge.

Healthy vaginal discharge or cervical mucus is a normal part of your menstrual cycle, and unfortunately for underwear dye, it’s also naturally acidic. This means it can ‘bleach’ your undies and lead to a white or yellowish stain that refuses to budge.

While vaginal discharge is totally normal, if you are worried about stains on your undies if you have particularly heavy discharge or spotting, you can choose to wear panty liners.

What is a Healthy Vagina pH?

Your vagina has a natural pH level that can be affected by several factors. A healthy vagina will sit somewhere between 3.8 to 4.5 pH level, which is slightly acidic on the scale.

This vaginal pH level can be affected by several things, including you guessed it, surfing the crimson wave. Key factors that will alter pH include:

• Menstrual blood which is typically more alkaline
• Unprotected sex as semen is more alkaline
• Scented soaps and harsh products that strip the protective bacteria away
• Antibiotics that can reduce the good bacteria in the vagina
• Underwear that is too tight or non-breathable

You can maintain a healthy vagina pH by wearing breathable undies, changing out of wet clothes quickly, using condoms to prevent semen disrupting pH levels, and avoiding perfumed soaps.

When to See a Doctor

Your vagina health has a delicate balance of pH, healthy bacteria, and moisture, so it’s important to prevent bad bacteria build-up that can lead to yeast infections. If your vagina discharge is discoloured, smelly, or causes itching, it’s always worth getting it checked out by a doctor. Most women go through changes depending on lifestyle factors, but it’s important to see a doctor to avoid causing infections.

To prevent infections like bacterial vaginosis, it’s always important to consider your vaginal health.

• Wear breathable underwear
• Change your underwear regularly
• Avoid douches, harsh soaps and heavily scented products
• Keep your vagina clean and dry
• Eat a balanced diet to boost your immune system

How to Clean Discharge Stains

Now we’ve covered the why, here is how to keep your underwear clean from discharge with the right laundry routine.

1. Rinse After Wear

If you find fluids from discharge or even period blood on your underwear, rinse them immediately in cold water to avoid setting the stain. You can also opt to soak them in a bucket of water until you're ready to wash them.

2. Wash with Mild Detergent

Once rinsed, wash your underwear in the washing machine on a delicate setting with cold water. Avoid adding harsh chemicals.

3. Air dry

Once your undies are out of the washing machine, avoid using a machine dryer as it can damage your undies. Air dry your undies away from direct sunlight to avoid more bleaching.

How to Get off Stubborn Stains off Undies

If you’re having trouble with a stubborn stain or have a particularly heavy flow that has leaked onto your undies, here are some more laundry routine tips:

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is naturally acidic and can help get some stains off undies. It is also a brightening agent so it makes it perfect for helping your whites keep bright.

When you soak your undies before your wash you can squeeze lemon juice onto the stains and let it sit for a few minutes. Use fresh lemon juice for best results.

Baking Soda

When mixed with water to create a paste, you can remove some recent and even some old stains from your undies.

Mix your baking soda and water together and apply to your stain. Let this sit for up to 30 minutes or overnight for bigger stains. Once the time is up, rinse and wash as usual.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This chemical helps to break down blood stains and difficult bleach marks. In your pre-wash stage, after you rinse dap a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain. Note, this method is not recommended for darker-coloured undies as it can create further stains!

What are the Best Undies for Stain Resistance?

To avoid stains on your underwear from vaginal discharge, the most important step is choosing the right fabric for your underwear. Choose underwear that is:

• Breathable
• Soft on your skin
• Moisture absorbent

You can also opt for darker colours to help hide any stains that do occur. Choosing a women’s underwear fabric like micro-polyester is a great choice as it’s breathable and moisture absorbent, not to mention buttery soft. You want fabric that can handle repeat wear and washing without losing its shape or softness.

While cotton can be a popular choice, they lack the moisture-wicking properties. Micro-polyester undies are designed to endure leakage, discharge, busy days, and all. Thanks to their moisture-absorbing properties they are lightweight and keep you dry. They are perfect for everyday wear, hiking mountains or lounging around.

Choose the Right Fabric to Keep Your Undies Fresh

Understanding why discharge bleaches underwear can help you take simple, effective steps to prevent it. From your diet to balancing your vaginal pH levels, your health should always be your first stop.

When looking for tips on how to stop discharge bleaching underwear, start at the fabric you choose. Micro-polyester is a great choice for its breathability, moisture absorbance, and flexibility.

Wearing panty liners (especially during times of heavier discharge), rinsing underwear in cold water right after use, and avoiding harsh soaps or bleach will help extend the life of your underwear.

If you’ve been wondering how to keep your underwear clean from discharge without constant replacement, just remember good hygiene, a good laundry routine, and supporting your natural balance is key

Even with the best care, undies go through a lot. Choosing the best undies for you will go a long way to making you feel good (and avoiding those stains). From everyday UnbasicsBoy Shorts or Bikini Briefs, make sure your undies are working for you.