# Rysdad has a female problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2001, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489 "2001-06-12T03:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/1 "2001-06-12T03:17:06Z")
Sort of. It’s a result of the lovely little kidney stone I had removed just after Memorial Day weekend. The problem: Blood stains in the BVD’s I tried washing them–used bleach, hot water and pre-wash spray. The stains still look as “fresh” as the day they arrived. So, ladies, I’m asking for your help. You have experience with this. Is there a way to remove the stains (other than a scissors) or do I buy a whole new batch of underwear? (For you comedians out there…please, no jokes about “how much can two pairs of underwear cost?” It was five days of bleeding before/after the stone was removed plus another 4 days after the stint was taken out, and all my best shorts were “marked.”) ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/2 "2001-06-12T03:20:19Z")
Bleach will eat the undies. Use hydrogen peroxide. Or colour-safe bleach. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/3 "2001-06-12T03:22:34Z")
Rys, I hate to tell you, but it’s time to buy new underwear. You see, hot water sets blood stains, making them permanent. My most reliable method is: stain pretreat cold water wash with bleach and detergent Works 95% of the time. Unfortunately, once they’re washed in hot water, the stain is pretty much permanent. Sorry, Rys. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/4 "2001-06-12T03:27:46Z")
Bummer. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/5 "2001-06-12T03:32:47Z")
I’ve had a lot of luck with Amway’s SA8 pre-wash treatment. I spray it on, let it set for 10-15 minutes, and then wash it with non-chlorine bleach. I let it agitage for a few minutes, turn off the machine and let it soak, turn it back on to agitate for a few minutes, turn it off and soak… I do that a couple of times and most stains come out. I even did that for my dad’s shirt that stained with guacamole. My mother washed AND dried it and the stain still came out. ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/6 "2001-06-12T03:35:54Z")
Before you toss the undies, give nappy soaker a try - I’ve had success with getting blood stains out of knickers which have been washed and dried several times before soaking. With blood stains, it’s always best to rinse in cold water ASAP (I was always told to soak in cold salty water for some reason), no matter how you’re intending to wash the item. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2001, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rysdad-has-a-female-problem/68489/7 "2001-06-12T03:39:41Z")
Sounds odd, but if you are a contact lens wearer, you can mix up some of the enzyme solution and pour that on the blood stains. It is supposed to remove protein deposits from the lenses, and blood is mostly protein. Also, medical supply stores will often have blood removal potions intended for nurses (who have to keep their whites white, and are around a lot of blood.) But, yeah, once you’ve washed them in hot water, it’s all over.