What should I do for a fresh blood stain?

For fresh stains, it is best to treat them as soon as possible. Spray or dab with a solution of cold water and a mild detergent. If the stain persists, try soaking in a mixture of cold water and a laundry pretreatment product.

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Easily Erase Blood Stains from Swim Trunks with These Tips

Q: What if hydrogen peroxide and dish soap don't work?

If neither of these methods work, bleach can lighten most fabrics, but it is not recommended on colored materials as it can discolor them. Instead, use a rust remover on dark-colored stains such as red or purple.

Accidents happen, even in the pool. Whether your child scraped their knee or you accidentally snagged a line while fishing, blood stains on swim trunks can be an annoying hassle. Here are a few tips to help you remove these unwanted blotches so you don’t ruin your favorite swimwear.

Updated 10 Mar 2023

By Isabelle Trottier

Identify the Stain and Fabric

Before trying to erase the blood stain, make sure you know exactly what kind of fabric your trunks are made of and what type of stain you are dealing with. The cleaning methods for fresh, wet blood will differ greatly from dried, set-in stains. For most fabrics, like nylon, cotton, and spandex, hot water should be used with a mild detergent. You will want to use cold water with wool or silk. Treating the stain with the wrong temperature water can cause irreversible damage to the fabric.

Treat Fresh Stains Quickly

For fresh stains, it is best to treat them as soon as possible. It is also important to use cool water when treating a freshly spilled stain. Spray or dab with a solution of cold water and a mild detergent. Make sure not to rub too hard so that you do not push the stain deeper into the fabric. If the stain persists after this treatment, try soaking in a mixture of cold water and a laundry pretreatment product.

Soak Older Stains

If the blood has already dried, you will need to soak the swim trunks before trying to remove it. Create a bubble bath with lukewarm water and your usual laundry detergent. Allow the stained area to soak for at least two hours before laundering as usual. Do not put the swim trunks in the dryer until the stain has been completely removed.

Other Remedies

Bleach can lighten most fabrics, but it is not recommended on colored materials as it can discolor them. Instead, use a rust remover on dark-colored stains such as red or purple. If neither of these methods works, try applying a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap onto stain. Rub gently and wash as usual.

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