How to remove vaginal discharge stains

Vaginal discharge stains can be a nightmare. How do you remove vaginal discharge stains? Are vaginal discharge stains normal? Have you ever wondered why (and most likely HOW) bleach stains appear in your underwear? We’re here to answer all your questions on vaginal discharge and how to remove vaginal discharge stains once and for all… 

Firstly, let’s clear one thing up. Vaginal discharge is totally normal, and discharge is actually very beneficial to our vaginal health, but that doesn’t mean we want it to ruin our pretty underwear, right? 

Secondly, what actually is vaginal discharge? Vaginal discharge is a fluid or mucus that keeps the vagina clean and moist while protecting it from potential infection. Although we all get discharge, there is no textbook answer to how much or how little you will get. Some people get a lot, while others barely notice it, and consistency and appearance can change depending on a variety of factors. 

Some of these factors include your menstrual cycle, stress, hormones, and the possibility of pregnancy or infection. ‘Healthy’ vaginal discharge will appear to be white or clear in colour with a slight odour, but it won’t be strong. The colour and consistency can range, so while vaginal discharge is normal it’s always good to keep an eye on it! 

You can find more information on how to check your discharge for abnormalities here.

Okay, so we know what it is and why we get it, but WHY does it have to stain our underwear? You're not alone if you've bought some nice new lingerie and after one wear it's bleached by nothing but your natural bodily vaginal fluids – delightful, huh? Vaginal discharge can often stain/bleach your underwear because it is naturally acidic. The vagina has a ‘good’ bacteria called lactobacilli which keeps it healthy by maintaining optimal acidity levels and preventing bad bacteria from causing infection. When this discharge is exposed to air, it oxidises. This means that when discharge interacts with the underwear’s fabric dye, it can leave a stain. Although vaginal discharge bleaching underwear is not what we want, it’s not a bad thing. 

So, it’s not the end of the world and there are plenty of ways to remove these pesky vaginal discharge stains – without throwing away your favourite underwear. Sometimes a quick rinse of cold water can prevent the discharge from staining the underwear, but if not, we’ve got you covered. Here's how to remove vaginal discharge stains: 

Whether it’s a period blood leak, spotting or discharge, our

remüvie™ Blood, Bladder & Baby Stain Remover is perfect for the job. With its gentle plant based benefits, it not only cleans and removes any stains, but it is also kind to your skin and the environment. 

All you have to do is spray it on the stain, wait a few seconds, and gently dab it with a wet cloth before wiping and rinsing it with warm water.

Since vaginal discharge has always been a thing, you may have some old undies that you wish to bring back to their best, and you still can! Here's how to remove vaginal discharge stains when they've been around a little bit longer:

Repeat the above steps using our remüvie™ Intimate Stain Remover first, and then try adding some elbow grease as well, making sure the remüvie™ and grease are fully rubbed in before popping them in the wash and leaving them out to dry. You’ll have your pretty underwear back in no time!

While vaginal discharge is perfectly normal and we know that discharge is for our own good, we don't want it staining all of our nice pants – so here's how to avoid it! Try wearing panty liners during the day to avoid any leakage and stains on your actual underwear. 

You can also try wearing period pants if you suffer with heavy discharge depending on your menstrual cycle phase. Heavier discharge is more common during ovulation so grab yourself a pair of organic period pants in time for next month!

Check out our blog titled “How to get stains out of your pants” for more information on removing other intimate stains too.