The first time I noticed it, a strange neon-orange blotch appeared on my favorite grey towel. Washing didn’t help,

and soon more towels were marked, as if attacked by a “pumpkin spice poltergeist.” The main culprit? Benzoyl peroxide

in acne products. It doesn’t stain — it bleaches fabric dye, leaving permanent orange or yellow patches where skin or hands touch.

Other causes include:

Rust/Iron in water – Common in well water, leaving tiny rusty freckles. A rust-removing laundry additive can prevent this.

Hair products & self-tanners – Pigments transfer from hair or skin when drying.

Bleach in cleaning products – Hidden in sprays and wipes; touching towels after use can create spots.

Prevention tips:

Use white towels for face care.

Let products dry before using towels.

Use filtered water or rust remover.

Keep old towels for hair or cleaning tasks.

Fixes: Benzoyl peroxide and bleach damage is permanent — dye, bleach entirely, or repurpose the towel. Rust stains can sometimes be removed.

Chemical bleaching leaves large irregular patches; mineral stains are small dots. Identifying the pattern helps stop future damage and keep towels fresh longer.