2. Benzoyl Peroxide (In Acne Products)
This is one of the biggest culprits.
Face washes, spot treatments, and body washes containing benzoyl peroxide bleach and oxidize fabric, leaving orange or rust-colored patches.
Signs this is your issue:
Towels used after washing your face show more staining
Pillowcases or shirts also show orange or bleached-looking spots
Spots are in areas that touch skin
3. Makeup Residue
Foundations, self-tanners, bronzers, and some blushes contain pigments (especially iron oxides) that cling to fabric fibers—even after washing.
Signs this is your issue:
You dry your face on towels after applying or removing makeup
Towels used in bathrooms with humid, makeup-filled air stain faster
Stains look like smudges or finger wipes
4. Self-Tanner and Bronzing Lotions
DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the active ingredient in sunless tanning products, can leave behind orange or brown streaks that become permanent when heat-set in the dryer.
Signs this is your issue:
Towels used after showering or applying self-tanner discolor quickly
Stains usually appear in streaks or handprint marks
5. Rust From Washing Machines or Dryers
A rusty drum, old pipes, or corroded metal parts inside your appliances can transfer orange stains directly onto fabric.
Signs this is your issue:
Stains look like specks or splatters
They appear even on brand-new towels
You notice rust inside the machine
Why the Stains Don’t Wash Out
Orange stains bond to the fibers of the towel through either:
Oxidation (from benzoyl peroxide or minerals)
Pigment adhesion (from makeup and self-tanner)
Heat setting (from the dryer)
Once set, they become nearly impossible to remove with regular detergent.
How to Prevent Orange Towel Stains for Good
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