Removing semen stains – tips and tricks for stain removal

Semen stains on sheets, upholstery, clothing, or car seats usually need to be removed. And it’s best to do it quickly. Because the fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove. We’ll tell you how to tackle the stain.

• First of all: never remove semen stains with hot water! Semen consists largely of protein, which coagulates at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, making it even more difficult to remove. You should therefore always use cold or lukewarm water.
• Detergent: Semen stains in underwear, on clothing, or on bedding can be easily removed in the washing machine with detergent. In this case, higher temperatures are also possible, as the coagulated semen is dissolved and washed away during the wash cycle.
• Tip: You can spray some stain remover on dried stains before washing and leave it to work for a few minutes.
• Lye water: For stains on sheets (that you don’t want to wash yet), mattresses, upholstery (sofa, pillows, etc.) or car seats, you can mix water with a little shower gel, dish soap or gall or curd soap. Apply the solution to a sponge or cloth and dab the affected area. Important: Do not rub! Otherwise, you will rub the stain in and the semen will penetrate deep into the fabric.
• Repeat the process until the stain is no longer visible. Then take a new cloth dampened with cold water and wipe over the area. This will prevent rings from forming.

In addition to detergent, dish soap, and other cleaning products, there are other useful aids that also work wonders on dried-on stains.

• Upholstery cleaner: You can use an upholstery or carpet cleaner for sofas, carpets, and mattresses. Allow it to work on the stain and then brush or vacuum the cleaner off the upholstery after the application time. A brush with soft bristles is also suitable for finishing.
• Lemon juice: Citric acid can also be used to easily remove dried semen stains. Apply a splash directly to the affected area and allow the juice to work. Then wipe with cold water and an absorbent cloth until no residue is visible.
• Caution: Do not use citric acid on white fabrics, as it can leave yellowish residues.
• Mineral water: The carbon dioxide dissolves the semen from fabrics and upholstery. Pour the mineral water directly onto the stain and let it soak in for a short time. Then dab it carefully with a cloth or sponge.
• Tip: If the semen stain is still damp, you can carefully soak it up with an absorbent dry cloth before further treatment. You can then rework it with lye water, upholstery cleaner, etc., if necessary.