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

Why Your Towels Get Orange Marks

Those unexpected orange spots on your dark towels? The main culprit is benzoyl peroxide, a common acne-fighting ingredient found in products like PanOxyl, Clearasil, Neutrogena, and certain prescription creams.

While excellent for clearing breakouts, benzoyl peroxide is a strong oxidizer—essentially a liquid bleach. When it touches fabric, it doesn’t leave a typical stain; it strips the dye from the fibers.

Why the Marks Appear Orange

On dark towels—navy, black, or charcoal—the bleaching effect often leaves bright orange, yellow, or pinkish patches. These are the base colors of the fabric, revealed after the top layer of pigment is removed.

A simple tip: lighter spots indicate bleach-like damage, whereas darker spots are just regular stains.

Why They Can’t Be Washed Out

Once the color is gone, there’s no way to restore it. No detergent, scrubbing, or stain remover can reverse the effect. Washing affected towels with other laundry may even transfer residual benzoyl peroxide, creating new marks.

Other Potential Causes

While benzoyl peroxide is the usual suspect, a few other things can mimic these spots:

Rust in Water: Iron-rich water or old pipes can leave reddish-brown streaks across multiple items, not just face towels.
Serratia Marcescens: A bacteria that grows in damp bathrooms, leaving pink or orange patches. Unlike bleach damage, this can usually be cleaned with disinfectant or bleach.

How to Protect Your Towels

You don’t have to stop using acne products to protect your linens. Try these tips:

Use Separate Towels: Reserve 2–3 white towels exclusively for your face. White hides bleach marks.
Rinse Thoroughly: Wash your hands and face for at least 30 seconds after applying acne treatments.
Check Ingredients: Products with salicylic acid can treat acne without bleaching fabrics.
Stick to White Linens: Switching to all-white towels prevents damage and gives a clean, spa-like look.