The solution was not extra detergent, but a rust-removing laundry ingredient. It bonds to the iron before settling into the fabric.
3. Hair Products and Self-Tanners
Some hair products and self-tanners leave stubborn orange or brown stains on skin or hair, even after “dry”. Friction from drying transfers pigments to towels. My clue? I have faint orange markings on my hair towels despite never used self-tanner. It turns out that my “warmth-enhancing” shampoo included exactly enough pigment to cause the damage.
4. Cleaning Products That Bleach
Bleach and hydrogen peroxide aren’t just for laundry. They’re also present in surface sprays, toilet cleansers, and disinfection wipes. If you use them and wipe your hands on a towel, you may unintentionally leave bleach marks.
A friend suspected her washing machine was turning towels pink. In truth, she was using spray to clean her hands before drying them.
How I Prevent It Now
Once I knew the causes, I treated towels like valuable clothing:
- For facial care, use white towels; benzoyl peroxide stains will not show.
- Wait for things to dry—especially acne treatments and self-tanner.
- Use filtered water or rust remover to stop mineral stains before they set.
- Maintain a separate hair towel because old towels absorb pigment from shampoos and dyes.
Can You Fix the Damage?
If the mark is caused with benzoyl peroxide or bleach, it will be permanent. Your options:
