It’s important to know that this is completely normal and not something you should worry about.
Have you ever noticed pale or bleached-looking marks on your underwear? You’re definitely not alone—many women have asked about this, and it’s a topic that often comes up online.
The surprising truth is that these marks aren’t caused by detergent or a faulty washing machine. They’re actually the result of the vagina’s natural pH balance.
In fact, these light patches are a sign of a healthy vagina. pH refers to how acidic or alkaline something is, and as one widely shared Twitter post explained:
“Now that more people are aware, it’s clear that lighter spots in women’s underwear are totally normal. They happen because the vagina is naturally acidic, with a pH between 3.8 and 4.5. This has nothing to do with poor hygiene. A healthy vagina can even lighten fabric.”
Dr. Vanessa MacKay from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists adds that the vagina cleans itself through natural secretions and contains helpful bacteria that protect against infection.
According to the National Institutes of Health, normal vaginal pH usually falls between 3.8 and 5.0, which is more acidic than neutral pH (7).
Dr. MacKay also emphasizes that clear or white discharge is a normal, healthy occurrence, and interfering with this natural balance can actually increase the risk of infections.