Why Towels Turn Bright Orange (and How to Prevent It)
It began when I noticed a strange, bright orange blotch on my gray towel.
At first, I assumed it was rust or a spill, but washes didn’t remove it.
Soon, more towels, pillowcases, and even shirts showed similar marks.
The culprit? Benzoyl peroxide, a common acne treatment.
Instead of staining, it bleaches fabrics, leaving bright orange or yellow patches where it touches.
Towels used after skincare, pillowcases brushed by treated skin, and washcloths all fell victim.
Other causes include iron-rich water, tinted shampoos, self-tanners, or cleaning sprays with bleach.
These can leave subtle discoloration that becomes obvious after washing and drying.
Prevention is simple: use white towels for skincare, let products fully dry, and filter water if necessary.
Discolored items can be repurposed, re-dyed, or bleached.
Understanding the cause transforms a frustrating problem into useful knowledge.
