Have you ever wondered why your new pair of underwear or socks turned a different color after the first few washes? It’s not just because they’re cheap… There are a few reasons for this:
Dyes in clothing can run… This is most common with dark colors… When you wash your clothes….. the dye is released and can transfer to other clothes in the washing machine….. causing them to change colors… Some dyes are more prone to running than others….. so this is especially common with blue-colored clothes.
To prevent it from running onto other fabrics in the wash….. you should always sort your dark colors from light colors and wash them separately… Also….. use cold water; hot water can bring out dyes more.
Fabric softeners can also release dyes and cause colors to run… Avoid using fabric softeners on colored clothing if you want them to stay their original color… Fabric softeners also make it harder for the fabric to absorb the dye….. which is why clothing produced overseas often does not have any added softeners.
They also contain chemicals that help make the fabric softer and silkier… Because of this….. some people choose to skip them altogether….. especially children’s clothes.
Also read: What Do You Wash Underwear With?
Why Did My Underwear Change Color?
It could be due to discharge….. which is a common occurrence for women during their menstrual cycle… You might also notice that your underwear changes color after you use it to absorb sweat or urine….. or if you accidentally bleach them while washing them.
If you’re experiencing discharge with a strong smell….. it’s possible that you have an infection… Your doctor can help you with this issue… If not….. the good news is that this is typically a very normal part of being a woman!
There are several other reasons your underwear could change color too….. like mold and an allergic reaction to fabric softener.
Also read: How Common Are Skid Marks in Underwear?
Why Do My Black Underwear Turn Orange?
Any woman who has worn black underwear under light-colored pants or shorts knows what this is about… The black turns a dirty….. dull orange.
What causes this phenomenon? It’s your natural ph being a little acidic and bleaching the black fabric… It’s acidic discharge….. alas just part of being a woman.
Can Discharge Change the Color of Your Underwear?
The reason why this happens is that the natural ph in our bodies is a little more acidic than the neutral 7 pHs of water… This can cause black clothing….. especially underwear to slightly change color… However….. this isn’t anything to be embarrassed about….. as it only happens to a small percentage of women and it can happen to varying degrees.
Sometimes it will only leave a slight mark that can be washed out whereas other times the fabric itself will turn orange or even brown if left for days.
How Do I Prevent Discharge from Staining My Underwear?
- The best way to prevent this from happening is by wearing cotton underwear when possible and then washing them in cold water and drying them on the lowest heat settings after you’ve worn them… It’s also recommended that you wear dark-colored undies more often than white ones as they are more resistant to stains.
- The good news is that over time….. you can train your body to not be so acidic… Start by drinking lots and lots of water — at least eight glasses a day — or take a vitamin C supplement (but don’t take both)… The more water you drink….. the less acid your body produces.
- You should also eat slightly alkaline foods….. like bananas….. which are high in potassium….. as well as cucumbers….. melons….. and sprouts… Stay away from processed foods and junk food — they’re acidic in your body — as well as dairy products because they contain an enzyme that makes you more acidic.
Don’t worry about taking pills or eating herbs; they’re not worth it….. according to most doctors… There’s nothing wrong with trying it if you want to….. but don’t expect it to work miracles.
Also read: How Is Underwear Supposed to Fit? (Size Up or Down? Wear High….. Tight….. Loose?)
Why Does My Underwear Have Bleach Stains?
It’s just your discharge interacting with the dye of your underwear’s fabric… The good news is that stains aren’t permanent and can be removed with a bit of homemade magic.
Why Do Black Underwear Turn Red?
It can be embarrassing to have your underwear stained – especially if you don’t know why it happens… But it actually has nothing to do with your cleanliness….. but rather the pH level of your vagina.
Vaginal discharge that contains healthy bacteria in an acidic environment….. and can cause some fabrics (especially cotton) to yellow or white over time… If you have been noticing this happening with your underwear….. keep in mind that it’s completely normal and there’s no need to worry about it.
A change in discharge color may be a sign that something is wrong though – so if you experience any of the following….. make sure to visit your doctor.
If you’re noticing new stains on your underwear….. particularly ones that are red or pink….. this could be a sign of a yeast infection or UTI.
If you’re having discoloration along with itching….. burning….. or pain while urinating then this could mean that you have a bacterial infection.
If there is blood in your vaginal discharge then this may be a symptom of cervical cancer….. which can eventually spread throughout the body if left untreated.
Also read: Why Do I Keep Getting Holes in My Underwear?
Why Does My Underwear….. Turn Black?
Tannin is the culprit behind this dark discoloration of your undergarments… It is found in plants and is used to make dyes….. leather tanning agents….. ink….. and other products… The tannin works its way into the fabric of the clothing….. particularly in those that come into direct contact with skin.
This can happen when you wear pants or skirts made of cotton or linen directly against your skin… Tannin also comes from certain foods such as tea as well as things like perspiration….. and hair products like gel….. and hair dye.
So why does our underwear turn black? The answer is very simple… It’s the result of a chemical reaction that takes place between your sweat and the dye in your undergarments.
The more you sweat….. the darker those areas get… In fact….. it’s a good indicator of how healthy you are because if you are sweating more….. it means that your body is working harder to cool itself off.
How Do You Get Black Stains Out of Underwear?
Tannin is not toxic but can cause allergic reactions in some people… This discoloration on clothes can be prevented by washing clothing before wearing it to get rid of any excess tannin present on the garment.
- You can also soak cloths in water with lemon or baking soda to remove traces of tannin.
- Detergents are effective in eliminating tannin stains because they contain chemicals that react with tannin and loosen it up so it can be washed away by water.
- Applying vinegar directly on the stain will also help remove it from your clothes easily
In summary….. If you can remove the source of your leaks and stains now….. then there is a good chance that your underwear will stop staining… However….. if you’re experiencing chronic discharge….. which has been known to happen due to infections or hormonal imbalances….. there aren’t really any tricks you can use to prevent these sorts of stains from happening.
The biggest takeaway from this is that women’s underwear tends to change color much more quickly and dramatically than men’s briefs… Again….. this is due to the simple fact that discharge is a much more common issue for female underwear….. as well as how discharge reacts chemically to fabrics like cotton.
Discharge is completely natural and normal… It’s not just a health issue; it’s a cosmetic issue too! If you’re having problems with discharge staining your underwear….. there are many easy ways to prevent it from happening….. from products to lifestyle changes… Understanding what’s causing the problem is a great way to prevent future stains as well.
You may also be interested in… Why Do I Keep Getting Holes in My Underwear? and Why The Back Of Your Skirts Go Up When You Walk?
Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel.
Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion.
As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.