It started with a tiny orange spot on my favorite gray towel. At first, I ignored it, thinking it was just a stubborn stain. But soon, the spots multiplied, appearing after every wash. I scrubbed, soaked, and switched detergents, but nothing seemed to work. Frustrated, I wondered if my towels were doomed. After some research, I discovered the truth: these weren’t stains—they were caused by color loss in the fabric.

The main culprit? Benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne creams and spot treatments. When it comes into contact with towels, it doesn’t stain—it bleaches the dye, leaving behind bright orange or yellow patches that no amount of washing can remove. Even freshly laundered towels weren’t safe if they touched skin or hair that had recently been treated.

Other factors can contribute too. Iron-rich tap water can leave rusty discoloration, while hair dyes, self-tanners, and tinted shampoos can react with dryer heat to reveal hidden pigments. Some household sprays also contain bleaching agents, which can splash unnoticed and fade fabrics over time.

Now, I’ve learned to prevent these orange marks. I use white towels when applying skincare, allow products to fully dry before dressing, and installed a water filter to reduce iron in my water. Towels that already show marks are repurposed for cleaning or sometimes re-dyed darker. What once seemed like a mystery turned out to be simple chemistry—and with a few mindful habits, it’s easy to keep towels looking fresh and bright.