The Truth About Orange Stains on Towels That Stay Put

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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:

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