Comments on: Removing semen stains

Question: Removing semen stains

PenguinBukkake — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:30:50 -0800

What's the best method for removing human semen stains from dark cotton bedsheets? Very hot washing machine cycles don't always work. Thank you.

By: PenguinBukkake

PenguinBukkake — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:33:03 -0800

(and, by the way, putting bath towels over the sheet is not an option -- I am too romantic for that, probably)

By: scody

scody — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:36:50 -0800

In my experience, hot water tends to actually set such, um, organic stains (blood, too) -- it's almost like the hot water "cooks" them into the fabric. A cold water rinse, followed by liberal application of stain remover, then a cool or warm washing seems to do the trick for me. (Once the stain's out, you can wash sheets in hot as usual.) But if the stain's already set, the best you may get from now on is some fading.

By: jedicus

jedicus — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:39:20 -0800

I agree with scody. It's basically the proteins that are the problem, so what works with blood will likely work with semen. There are probably instructions for such stains on your stain remover or detergent. Failing that, there are products designed for it.

As far as bath towels go: don't knock it til you try it?

also, what an apropos name, PB

By: kcm

kcm — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:46:48 -0800

Meat tenderizer, coarse salt, and COLD washing. Lots of hand scrubbing. You'll need towels for the more fun stuff.

By: shoepal

shoepal — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:06:23 -0800

Please add the eponysterical tag.

Oh, and seltzer/tonic water should help. With Bukkake, you'll likely need a few bottles.

By: yodelingisfun

yodelingisfun — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:12:07 -0800

Nature's Miracle seems to work...so I've heard.

By: xmutex

xmutex — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:22:08 -0800

Bed Bath & Beyond and $60.

By: tula

tula — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:22:12 -0800

A product called Kiss-Off works really well for blood stains, (another body fluid with protein), plus the name seems especially appropriate considering your purposes. Test it first to see if it bleaches out the color though.

By: signal

signal — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:26:35 -0800

Can I point out how pleased I am that you felt the need to specify human semen stains?

By: caddis

caddis — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:28:20 -0800

posted by PenguinBukkake - oh no, now its with humans too?

Tide seems to work fine for me. Nothing special, just toss them in with the detergent. I always use either medium or cold water, but that is just because I am cheap and hot water is bad for dark colors anyway. I never knew such stains were a problem to remove.

By: I Love Tacos

I Love Tacos — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:35:05 -0800

Spot remover and warm water.

And keep your options open.

By: redheadeb

redheadeb — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:37:36 -0800

From the Ohio State Extension Service's stain removal guide: "Fresh protein stains can be removed by soaking and agitating in cold water before washing. These stains contain other ingredients besides protein, but it needs treatment first. If hot water is used first, it cooks the protein, causing coagulation between the fibers in the yarns of the fabric, making the stains more difficult to remove. If protein stains are dried or old, scrape or brush off crusted matter (if any), then soak in cold water using a detergent or an enzyme presoak product."

By: JamesMessick

JamesMessick — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:59:25 -0800

Haven't tried it with semen, never noticed the problem, but I find that a slurry of Oxy-Clean and water will get out about any organic stain with just a little effort. Blood, it laughs at.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:19:15 -0800

Oxyclean.

By: RMALCOLM

RMALCOLM — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:58:51 -0800

Most enzyme stain removers like Shout, Febreeze or some of the pet stain removers should work. However, they require time to break down the proteins and the items must remain moist during that time. These could, however, alter the color, so you might need a test run.

By: needs more cowbell

needs more cowbell — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 20:03:43 -0800

SHOUT! spray (not gel or stick) is good at getting out other protein-based stains and might work.

By: brujita

brujita — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 23:04:45 -0800

I read somewhere that one should tell the dry cleaner it was an albumen (egg) stain .

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 23:17:05 -0800

Hydrogen peroxide. If it's biotic peroxide's got it.

By: PenguinBukkake

PenguinBukkake — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 01:23:57 -0800

fascinating, thanks everybody

By: A189Nut

A189Nut — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 02:16:17 -0800

Dry Cleaner: Why were you eating egg whites in bed?

By: any major dude

any major dude — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 06:40:51 -0800

For future reference - always keep a dirty t-shirt or towel next to your bed.

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 09:04:40 -0800

any major dude will tell you.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:20:24 -0800

Keep a dirty t-shirt or towel? Nasty. Why would you want your girl stuffing a filthy rag against her hooch?

Go purchase a pack of pack towels (you can even find them in your grocery). Buy enough to accomodate your sexual escapades between laundry days.

Your girl will thank you for it. A nice, clean, super-absorbant, soft, and, I repeat, clean towel is eversomuch nicer than some nasty, skanky sock or t-shirt.

By: Carbolic

Carbolic — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:10:58 -0800

Dishwasher detergent specializes in dealing with proteins. Might remove the color from the fabric, I don't know.