Why Your Towels Get Those Mysterious Orange Stains
I remember the first time I spotted it — a strange, almost neon-orange blotch on my favorite grey hand towel. It didn’t look like a normal stain; it had a weird glow, like someone had taken a highlighter to it. I assumed it was rust from the towel bar or maybe a spill I’d forgotten about. I tossed it in the wash with extra detergent, confident it would come out. It didn’t.
Weeks later, more towels fell victim. My bathroom started to look like it had been attacked by a pumpkin spice poltergeist. If you’ve seen towels, pillowcases, or shirts develop stubborn orange spots, you’re not imagining things. The culprits are surprisingly common.
The main cause? Benzoyl peroxide — a common ingredient in acne creams and cleansers. It doesn’t stain in the usual way. Instead, it bleaches the fabric’s dye, leaving behind an orange or yellowish patch. On dark towels, the contrast is even more obvious.