Don’t Leave Wet Towels Sitting Around
After using a towel, hang it up so it can dry properly.
Leaving damp towels crumpled in a warm environment encourages unpleasant odors and can make laundry problems more difficult to manage.
What If the Stain Won’t Come Out?
Sometimes a stain becomes permanent.
Repeated washing, heat, chemical exposure, and aging can cause discoloration to become deeply embedded in the fibers.
If you’ve identified the cause and treated the towel appropriately but the mark remains, replacing the towel may ultimately be easier than continuing to use increasingly aggressive chemicals.
The Bottom Line
Orange stains on towels can be frustrating, especially when they survive wash after wash.
But the stain itself may be giving you a clue.
Rusty water, iron deposits, plumbing, washing-machine residue, and certain personal-care products can all contribute to unusual discoloration.
Instead of simply adding more detergent or bleach, try to identify the source first.
