Introduction
Having periods is definitely one of the most annoying things many women have to go through regularly. Not only do they bleed for a few days, but they also go through mood swings, have acne breakouts, crave unhealthy foods, and feel sore in certain areas of their bodies.
And it’s not just women that have to suffer from this. Our loved ones have to deal with our period symptoms too, and sometimes even our furniture. Yes, you heard that right!
Periods make women prone to leakage, which happens when our feminine products fail to catch the blood just right. The blood then seeps through our underwear, then our clothes, then our furniture and upholstery. This is especially so when we’re blissfully unaware of what’s happening, such as when we’re asleep.
So, if you wake up to find a blood stain on your bed, don’t rush to the Orange County mattress stores just yet! It could still be salvaged. Follow our guide below.
How Can I Clean the Blood Off?
Don’t worry, accidents happen! It’s not the end of the world. What’s more important now is dealing with the period stain right away, as you really don’t want to let it set permanently on your mattress. Use the cleaning agents below to gently remove the stain.
When cleaning with these agents, please remember to dab the stain, not rub it. Rubbing can spread the stain even further.
Baking Soda
The most common way of removing blood stains from the bed is by mixing two parts of baking soda with one part of cold water. Apply the mixture liberally onto the blood stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before removing the mixture with a damp towel. Then, using another towel (this time dry), wipe the moisture off.
Let the mattress air dry with a fan or open windows. You need to let it dry completely. Otherwise, you risk getting mold in there.
Salt, Cornstarch, and Hydrogen Peroxide
Another pretty effective mixture is ½ cup cornstarch, 1 tbsp. salt, and ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide. It’s particularly great at removing protein stains—as blood composition is primarily protein, you can see why it works.
Like with the baking soda mixture, mix it until it forms a goopy paste. Apply it onto the stain, this time letting it dry completely. Once that’s done, scrape it off with a knife or a spatula and vacuum the little bits. Repeat as necessary.
Meat Tenderizer
If you really want to go hard on the blood stain, head to the kitchen and pull out the meat tenderizer. Besides making your meat softer, it can also break down period stains by breaking down the proteins in the blood.
Before you break it out, though, just remember that meat tenderizer can also affect your Orange County mattress. Do a little test spot to see if something happens. If it’s all good, then full speed ahead on working on that period stain!
Mix one tablespoon of meat tenderizer with two tablespoons of cold water. Dab the mixture onto the stain and let it sit for an hour. With a cold, damp towel, wipe the mixture off, then dry it more with a clean, dry towel.
How Can I Prevent It From Happening Again?
Of course, the best way to fix something is to never let it happen in the first place! Here are some ways to ensure your mattress is safe from those annoying period stains.
Invest in a Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors are removable bedding that lies on top of your mattress. They serve to protect the sleeper from allergens, provide extra cushion and support, and protect your mattress from stains! This includes period stains, of course. You can easily buy one of these at mattress stores in Orange County or even online.
Use Fresh Feminine Products Before Bedtime
Your pad, tampon, or menstrual cup is going to get full eventually and stop being as absorbent. You need to change these frequently, not just because it prevents leaks, but also because it’s the hygienic thing to do. Your best bet is to change your feminine products right before bedtime so you can get maximum absorption during the night.
Use the Right Feminine Products
It’s also important to use the right feminine products. Some are only meant to be used during the day and aren’t that great for night use. Go for the overnight varieties instead.
Overnight pads are longer and wider at the back so they can catch the blood better. They also have wings to prevent the pad from moving, even if you move a lot in your sleep.
Overnight tampons, on the other hand, are much larger and can carry a lot of blood. Just make sure not to oversleep—you risk getting toxic shock syndrome if you leave a tampon on for too long. You also need to make sure you’re bleeding considerably, as removing an empty tampon can hurt.
Menstrual cups are undoubtedly the best feminine products for nighttime use as they can be worn for up to 12 hours. You won’t need a cupful to remove it painlessly either.
Get Out of Bed Slowly
When we’re lying on our Orange County mattress, gravity doesn’t work as well. Instead of the blood falling normally, it pools up. So, when we move to sit up and then stand up, the blood can gush out and quickly stain your bed! So, get out of bed gingerly to prevent this from happening.
Conclusion
Period stains are common occurrences in a woman’s lifetime, so there is nothing to be ashamed of if you accidentally got them onto your mattress. Just be quick to remove the stain with any of the aforementioned cleaning agents. Also, practice good hygiene to ensure you and your bed will always be squeaky clean.