There’s nothing more comforting than stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a warm, fluffy towel that smells like home. We all have our favorite towels, but whether you prefer them super fluffy or extra-large, your traditional cotton bath towels could be exposing you unknowingly to toxins. Let’s take a look at why buying organic cotton towels is not only good for you but also for the environment.
Standard bath towels will do their job in drying you off, but some are made with harmful chemicals and irritants that can stick with you long after the shower. There’s a lot to consider when purchasing healthy towels for the planet and your family, so I’ve done the research for you!
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What to Avoid in Towels
Unfortunately, there are many things to avoid when purchasing organic cotton towels. Check the labels for the following.
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are made from fossil fuels like acrylic, nylon, rayon, and polyester which contain harmful chemicals that can absorb into your skin and can cause several health issues. Damage to the kidneys and liver, hormonal disruption, and cancer have all been linked to exposure to synthetic fibers.
Conventional Cotton
Conventional cotton crops are responsible for 25% of the world’s pesticide use. Those pesticides stay with the cotton long after the manufacturing process, and there is no scientific data that suggests they wash out.
Out of the fifteen common pesticides used, the Environmental Protection Agency recognizes seven of those as carcinogenic or cancer-causing.
Pesticides are not the only thing you have to worry about with traditional cotton. Various toxins are used in manufacturing and dying the traditional cotton towels you can find on the shelf.
You may even see towels with a label claiming organically grown cotton was used to make the towels, but that doesn’t mean the manufacturing process didn’t contain toxins that could adversely affect your health.
If you don’t see a GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification (more on this below), those towels most likely contain harmful toxins.
Bamboo
Bamboo has become a popular “eco-friendly” material over the past few years. While bamboo sounds sustainable, it’s not necessarily non-toxic.
Bamboo grows quickly with little water and can be grown organically. Unfortunately, it takes a chemical-heavy refinement process to achieve the fibers needed to make fabrics like towels.
In some products, bamboo can also be coated with formaldehyde to make it wrinkle and flame resistant. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause underlying health issues over time.
What to Look For in Organic Towels
It can be challenging to find organic cotton towels that are healthy for your family and the environment. Look out for these certifications when shopping for organic bath towels.
Certified Organic Cotton
GOTS
The GOTS certification ensures your organic bath towels are non-toxic from start to finish.
It’s essential to keep an eye out for labels that say “GOTS organic cotton,” Which means only the cotton used is GOTS certified, and the dyes and finishes could be toxic.
When you see the GOTS logo above you can be assured both the organic cotton as well as the dyes meet the stringent GOTS standard.
OEKO-TEX
The Oeko-Tex certification prevents hundreds of chemicals from being used in manufacturing organic cotton towels.
Oeko-Tex does not require the fibers to be organic, however. So, you can have synthetic fibers or conventional cotton labeled with the Oeko-Tex certification.
Things to Consider when Buying Towels
Organic cotton towels come in a variety of sizes, colors, and weights. It’s essential to consider these things when shopping for organic bath towels because most are super durable and can last for years.
Take the following into consideration when shopping for organic towels.
Size of Towels
The size of your bath towels will depend on your storage space and how much drying room you prefer. If you like extra fabric when drying yourself off, you might want to go for a more oversized towel.
The typical size of bath towels ranges between 20 inches wide by 40 inches long to 30 inches wide by 58 inches long. So, keep that in mind when considering the perfect size for your organic bath towels.
Weight
When you see the weight of a towel on the listing, it refers to the towel density measured in grams per square meter (GSM).
A medium to heavy towel will anywhere from 550 to 700 GSM. This weight feels luxurious and plush and quite heavy compared to a lighter towel with a lower GMS.
If you prefer a light, flat towel, a GSM below 550 might be for you.
Color and Texture
When shopping for organic bath towels, you will notice you can find them in a range of colors to match your bathroom decor. You can also find organic towels with interesting textures like terry cloth or cotton waffle.
The Best Organic Towels
Coyuchi
Coyuchi carries organic cotton towels in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. They are GOTS certified and high quality. They come in a six-piece set with washcloths and handtowels in the organic towel set or you can buy pieces individually
Where it’s Made: Turkey & India
Starting Price: $48.00
Certification: GOTS
Magnolia Organics
Magnolia Organics offers a variety of organic towels in several colors. All towels are dyed with eco-friendly, non-toxic dyes. These towels are super absorbent, soft, and GOTS certified organic.
Where it’s Made: India
Starting Price: $39.95
Certification: GOTS
West Elm
West Elm provides several styles and colors of organic bath towels. They are super absorbent and durable. They are both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified (read descriptions to know what you are buying), and they come in a range of sizes and sets.
Where it’s Made: Portugal, Turkey
Starting Price: $19.50
Certification: GOTS & OEKO-TEX
SOL Organics
SOL Organics makes lightweight, durable towels that are GOTS certified. These towels dry super fast and come in several muted colors.
Where it’s Made: India
Starting Price: $40.00
Certification: GOTS
Delilah Home
Delilah Home offers GOTS certified organic cotton towels. These towels are very plush and are 50% thicker than most towels – making them very absorbent. They come in a range of whites and greys and are sold in packs of two.
Where it’s Made: Turkey
Starting Price: $19.99
Certification: GOTS
Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch offers organic bath towels that are made with both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton. They come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Where it’s Made: India
Starting Price: $48.00
Certification: GOTS & OEKO-TEX
Target
Target sells both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified organic bath towels. Not all of their towels are certified organic, so make sure to read the label before purchasing. They come in a variety of colors and sets, including a set of six.
Where it’s Made: India
Starting Price: $48.00 for a 6-piece set
Certification: GOTS & OEKO-TEX
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn offers several organic cotton bath towel options in a variety of colors. They are GOTS certified, quick to dry, and highly absorbent. Make sure you check the label for the GOTS certification when purchased.
Where it’s Made: Turkey & India
Starting Price: $19.99
Certification: GOTS
LL Bean
LL Bean sells an organic cotton textured towel that comes in muted earth tones. This towel is lightweight, fast-drying, and GOTS certified.
Where it’s Made: Turkey
Starting Price: $29.95
Certification: GOTS
Under the Canopy
Under the Canopy provides several certified organic cotton towel options. You can purchase them individually or in sets of four. They come in muted tones that would match any decor, and they are GOTS certified.
Where it’s Made: USA, India, Turkey, and China
Starting Price: $11.20
Certification: GOTS & OEKO-TEX
Pinzon
You can find Pinzon certified organic cotton towels on Amazon. They are GOTS certified and come in a range of colors and sets.
Pinzon also makes conventional cotton towels, so read the descriptions carefully and look for organic cotton towels.
Where it’s Made: India
Starting Price: $38.99
Certification: Oeko-Tex
Lifekind
Lifekind offers two certified organic towel options, and all the organic cotton used in the towels is grown in Texas. They come in a set with a washcloth, hand towel, and bath towel. These towels are durable, eco-friendly and GOTS certified.
Where it’s Made: USA
Starting Price: $48.00
Certification: GOTS
Sunrise Bliss
Sunrise Bliss sells an organic t-shirt hair towel made from GOTS certified organic cotton and dyed with low-impact dyes.
T-shirt towels are great for your hair because they minimize damage while being healthy for your family and the planet.
Where it’s Made: USA
Starting Price: $20.00
Certification: GOTS cotton & low-impact dyes
Final Thoughts on Organic CottonTowels
It’s worth buying organic cotton towels for your health and the health of our planet. Certified organic cotton towels are made with cotton without toxic pesticides, chemicals, and dyes.
Make sure to look for the GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification when shopping for organic bath towels to ensure they’re safe for your family.
You can see that buying organic doesn’t always mean more expensive. You can find high quality organic towels for a reasonable price.
It can be overwhelming to find truly safe products, I have created my Amazon Storefront for vetted non-toxic products for your entire family – check it out!.
Other Posts Related to Organic Towels
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- Organic Mattress Protectors
- Organic Pillows
- Kid’s Organic Clothing Options
- Organic Comforters
- Organic Sheets
- Organic Clothing Brands for Adults
- Best Water Filters
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