Some hair products and self-tanners leave stubborn orange or brown stains on skin or hair, even after “dry”. Friction from drying transfers pigments to towels. My clue? I have faint orange markings on my hair towels despite never used self-tanner. It turns out that my “warmth-enhancing” shampoo included exactly enough pigment to cause the damage.
4. Cleaning Products That Bleach
Bleach and hydrogen peroxide aren’t just for laundry. They’re also present in surface sprays, toilet cleansers, and disinfection wipes. If you use them and wipe your hands on a towel, you may unintentionally leave bleach marks.
A friend suspected her washing machine was turning towels pink. In truth, she was using spray to clean her hands before drying them.
How I Prevent It Now
Once I knew the causes, I treated towels like valuable clothing:
- For facial care, use white towels; benzoyl peroxide stains will not show.
- Wait for things to dry—especially acne treatments and self-tanner.
- Use filtered water or rust remover to stop mineral stains before they set.
- Maintain a separate hair towel because old towels absorb pigment from shampoos and dyes.
Can You Fix the Damage?
If the mark is caused with benzoyl peroxide or bleach, it will be permanent. Your options:
- Color the entire towel a darker shade.
- Re-use it as a cleaning or hair towel.
- Bleach the entire towel for a uniform appearance.
- Rust stains are more difficult to remove, but you can use fabric-safe rust removers.
- I’ve salvaged a few pillowcases in this manner.
Noticing the Difference
- Chemical bleaching causes big, uneven areas to appear when hands or faces come into contact.
- Mineral staining manifests as small, dispersed spots.
- Learning to read the “pattern” allows you to pinpoint the source and stop blaming a mystery laundry curse.
Final Takeaway
I’m not stain-free—I still forget I’m wearing acne cream on occasion—but my towel casualties have decreased from every few months to one per year or two. If your linens are becoming orange, look into your skincare, water quality, and hair care regimen. Identify the perpetrator, guard the “danger zones,” and your towels will stay fresh for much longer.
