Why Towels Keep Getting Those Stubborn Orange Stains
Why Your Towels Keep Getting Orange Stains
The most common culprit behind these weird marks is benzoyl peroxide, a popular acne-fighting ingredient. You’ll find it in products like PanOxyl, Clearasil, Neutrogena, and even some prescription creams.
While it’s excellent for clearing up skin, benzoyl peroxide is also a strong oxidizer—basically, it works like liquid bleach. When it touches fabric, it doesn’t “stain” in the usual sense. Instead, it removes the dye from the fibers.
Why the Spots Turn Orange
On dark towels—think navy, charcoal, or black—the bleaching process often reveals bright orange, yellow, or pinkish hues. These are the base colors of the dye left behind after the darker pigments are stripped away.
A simple way to tell:
- Lighter-than-usual spots: bleach marks
- Darker spots: regular stains
Why These Marks Won’t Come Out
Once the color is gone, it’s gone for good. No scrubbing or fancy detergent can restore the original shade.
Washing these towels with other fabrics can even spread residual bleach, causing more accidental discoloration.
Other Possible Causes
Though benzoyl peroxide is usually to blame, a couple of other factors can create similar marks:
- Rust in Water: Old pipes or iron-rich well water can leave reddish-brown streaks on laundry. This affects all items, not just your face towels.
- Serratia Marcescens: This bacteria grows in damp bathrooms and appears as a pink or orange slimy film. Unlike bleach marks, it can usually be cleaned off with disinfectant or bleach.
How to Protect Your Towels
You don’t have to stop using your acne treatments—just make a few small adjustments:
- Use designated towels: Keep 2–3 white towels specifically for your face. No dye means no bleaching.
- Rinse thoroughly: Spend at least 30 seconds washing your face and hands to remove all product residue.
- Check your ingredients: Products with salicylic acid treat acne effectively without bleaching fabrics.
- Stick to white towels: Many people switch their entire bathroom set to white to prevent color disasters.
What to Do With Damaged Towels
Since bleach marks are permanent, repurpose ruined towels instead of throwing them out. Use them as:
- Cleaning rags
- Car detailing cloths
- Gym towels
A few simple precautions can finally stop the mysterious orange spots and keep your towels looking fresh and clean.
