Many of these medicines contain a latent bleaching agent known as benzoyl peroxide. As the word peroxide indicates, the large amount of oxygen contained in the cleaner can and will remove color from fabrics when the chemical is subjected to moisture and heat. Since benzoyl peroxide is only one of the ingredients in some forms of makeup, a spill of the cosmetic will take on the normal characteristic of any alkaline spot. It will become darker as soil is attracted, yet the bleaching effect of the benzoyl peroxide will be working beneath the surface.
Heat can accelerate the process.
Cleaning agents, such as Avenge , that will remove the spot caused by the makeup will also reveal the bleaching effect of the benzoyl peroxide. Since the result of this chemical reaction is actually the removal of color, and not just the addition of a spot, the only way to repair the fabric is to dye it. There are sometimes clues that spots may contain benzoyl peroxide, and cleaners should look for these indications so that disclaimers can be made before the cleaning is begun. Almost all families with adolescents have occasion to be users of acne medicine. A high percentage of this remedy is applied with fingers, which are not washed after the application is made.