I first noticed the issue when my favorite grey hand towel developed a bright neon-orange stain—almost fluorescent, like a highlighter. I assumed it was a spill, but after several washes, it remained. Soon, more towels showed similar orange marks, especially in areas where my hands or face touched them.

The culprit? Benzoyl peroxide, a common acne-treatment ingredient that bleaches fabric dyes, leaving behind stubborn orange or yellow patches—most visible on darker towels. But that’s not the only source. Iron-rich water, such as well water, can leave behind rust-like spots after washing, particularly on white fabrics. Regular detergent won’t remove them, but rust-removing additives can help.

Hair products and self-tanners may also be to blame. Some shampoos and warmth-enhancing tanners transfer pigment even after drying. In my case, it was the shampoo discoloring my hair towels.

Even cleaning products like bleach or hydrogen peroxide can leave lasting marks if transferred from hands to towels.

Now, I use white towels for skincare, let products dry fully, and reserve old towels for messy routines—problem solved.