It often starts with a strange, bright orange blotch appearing on your favorite towel — no matter how many times you wash it, it stays. These marks aren’t typical stains. The most common cause is benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient in many acne treatments. Instead of staining, it bleaches the dye in fabric, leaving permanent orange or yellow patches wherever the product touches.
Iron-rich water can also be to blame. Homes with well water or old pipes may leave rust-like spots on towels after repeated washes. Some hair products, self-tanners, and shampoos with added pigments can transfer color to fabrics, while certain cleaning sprays containing bleach or peroxide can cause similar discoloration without you realizing it.
Prevention is the best solution. Use white towels for skincare routines, wait until products fully dry before contact, and consider a water filter if your water has high iron content. For hair treatments or pigmented shampoos, keep separate older towels to avoid damage.
Once fabric dye has been bleached, there’s no way to restore the original color. You can repurpose stained towels for cleaning, dye them a darker shade, or bleach them entirely for a uniform look. With a few habits and precautions, you can keep your towels looking fresh and avoid the frustration of those stubborn orange marks.