How I've Saved My Clothes Over the Years

If you're caught in non-white panties (or pants, etc.) and you soak through when you're on your period, try this --

First, as soon as is humanly possible, toss the clothing into cool/cold water! Soak/soap out as much as possible in the sink. For remaining stains on primarily white undies or all-white pants/shorts/skirts, Clorox Bleach Pen is a lifesaver! For colors, or even panties with white crotch but colored outer layer, use Shout rub-in gel. Let the Shout gel soak a while before washing. Clorox Pen clothes need not "soak." ALL-WHITE can go into a washing machine containing regular bleach. Anything else, non-chlorine bleach only. Cool/cold water is still best for washing blood-stained clothing. Warm water will set any remaining stain.

When using powdered soap in cold water, first run the water into machine, then add soap, then "help" or allow the machine to mix powder and water into an all-bubble froth. Dissolve powder completely before adding clothing. This puts an end to the Curse of the Crust! Before putting into dryer (which will REALLY set blood stains!), check for any remaining stains that you cannot live with. Repeat first step as outlined and wash again. Still in cool or cold! When stain is completely gone (and stains usually do disappear this way), THEN toss into dryer!

Until VERY recently, I had NEVER lost any clothes to period stains. Right now is an unfortunate time in the life of my period. I no longer have periods; I have prolonged and horrific hemorrhaging, which is NOT normal. Looking at surgery to "fix" current mess... Being female is never fun when one's cycle is involved. Never!