Few laundry mysteries are more frustrating than pulling freshly washed towels from the dryer and discovering orange stains that weren’t there before. These rusty-looking marks cling stubbornly to the fabric, refuse to wash out, and often reappear no matter how much detergent you use.
The good news? These stains aren’t random—and once you understand what causes them, you can eliminate them for good.
What Causes Orange Stains on Towels?
Orange stains on towels almost always come from one of five sources. Some are related to your water, while others come from everyday products you might not realize contain ingredients that stain.
1. Hard Water + Iron Content
If your home has iron-rich water, the mineral deposits can interact with detergent, heat, or oxygen and leave behind rust-colored stains.
Signs this is your issue:
Stains appear after washing or drying
Orange discoloration also appears in sinks or toilets
You use well water or live in a hard-water region
2. Benzoyl Peroxide (In Acne Products)
This is one of the biggest culprits.
Face washes, spot treatments, and body washes containing benzoyl peroxide bleach and oxidize fabric, leaving orange or rust-colored patches.
Signs this is your issue:
Towels used after washing your face show more staining
Pillowcases or shirts also show orange or bleached-looking spots
Spots are in areas that touch skin
3. Makeup Residue
Foundations, self-tanners, bronzers, and some blushes contain pigments (especially iron oxides) that cling to fabric fibers—even after washing.
Signs this is your issue:
You dry your face on towels after applying or removing makeup
Towels used in bathrooms with humid, makeup-filled air stain faster
Stains look like smudges or finger wipes
4. Self-Tanner and Bronzing Lotions
DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the active ingredient in sunless tanning products, can leave behind orange or brown streaks that become permanent when heat-set in the dryer.
Signs this is your issue:
Towels used after showering or applying self-tanner discolor quickly
Stains usually appear in streaks or handprint marks
5. Rust From Washing Machines or Dryers
A rusty drum, old pipes, or corroded metal parts inside your appliances can transfer orange stains directly onto fabric.
Signs this is your issue:
Stains look like specks or splatters
They appear even on brand-new towels
You notice rust inside the machine
Why the Stains Don’t Wash Out
Orange stains bond to the fibers of the towel through either:
Oxidation (from benzoyl peroxide or minerals)
Pigment adhesion (from makeup and self-tanner)
Heat setting (from the dryer)
Once set, they become nearly impossible to remove with regular detergent.
How to Prevent Orange Towel Stains for Good