Why Your Towels Develop Orange Stains That Don’t Come Out

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The main reason for these orange marks is a chemical called benzoyl peroxide, a common acne-fighting ingredient. You’ll find it in popular over-the-counter products like PanOxyl, Clearasil, Neutrogena, and many prescription creams.

While it’s excellent for clearing skin, benzoyl peroxide is also a powerful oxidizer, working similarly to liquid bleach. When it comes into contact with fabric, it doesn’t create a traditional “stain”—instead, it removes the dye from the fibers.

Why the Spots Turn Orange

On dark-colored towels—navy, charcoal, black—the bleaching effect often leaves bright orange, yellow, or pinkish marks. These are the underlying base colors of the fabric, revealed after the darker pigments are stripped away.

A quick way to tell the difference: lighter spots than the rest of the towel are bleach marks, while darker spots are regular stains.

Why They Won’t Wash Out

Once the dye is gone, there’s no way to restore it. No scrubbing, detergent, or special product will bring the original color back. Washing the towels with other laundry can sometimes spread residual benzoyl peroxide, causing new damage.

Other Possible Causes

While benzoyl peroxide is responsible about 95% of the time, a couple of other factors can produce similar marks:

  • Rust in Water: Old pipes or iron-rich well water can leave reddish-brown streaks on laundry, often affecting all items, not just face towels.
  • Serratia Marcescens: A type of bacteria that grows in damp bathrooms, leaving pink or orange slimy patches. Unlike bleach damage, this can usually be cleaned off with disinfectant or bleach.
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