We have already taken a look at the best towels and washcloths for your Airbnb here. We are now going to explore some organic and fair trade options that might interest the environmentally aware guests. We will explain what makes the products organic and what you should look for in them. This will be informative and will also help you brand your Airbnb to attract guests who specifically value being environmentally friendly.

What makes a towel organic?

This might be confusing when you first come across the term “organic towel”. How can a label that is commonly applied to foods apply to household goods like a towel? The answer is that when the cotton that is sourced to make the towel is grown in an organic fashion, it makes the towel also organic. This applies to most items that we will be covering in the future. The process with which the raw materials are produced to make the finished product determines whether it makes the item organic.

Organic cotton eschews the normally chemical-intensive process of growing conventional cotton. Those chemicals have a huge impact on the soil quality, underground water reservoirs, air quality and the health of the people living near the cotton-growing farms. They are amongst the most toxic chemicals as identified by the EPA. This problem gets even worse when the cotton is sourced from developing countries that have uninformed farmers and consumers, lax laws governing growing cotton and a lack of institutions to enforce environmental checks. This causes thousands of farmers to lose their lives due to exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Organic cotton is grown using methods that use the least amount of harmful chemicals. These methods replenish and maintain the fertility of the soil used to grow the cotton. They eliminate the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The checks and balances are put in place by third party independent organizations that do their part in making sure that strict processes are put in place while growing the produce. They also employ federal regulations which prevent genetically engineered seeds to be used for organic farming. In the United States, all-cotton which is sold under the organic label has to meet strict regulations that cover the cotton growing process.

Look for the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification on the products to be assured of buying the best. Be wary of towels that claim to be organic but don’t come with an explicit certification as they may not be what they say they are.

Fairtrade products are those which are grown or produced using labor that is competitively paid. The products are guaranteed to have not been produced using child labor or wage exploitation. Fairtrade factories and products positively impact the lives of the people who work in those industries, improve their communities and protect the local environment at the same time. You can be sure you are making a good choice when buying fair trade and organic.

Towel Recommendations from Amazon:

1 Ply Organic Cotton Paperless Towels 10 Pack Rainbow Assortment: These are possible replacements for paper towels. They have great absorption. They are made from 100% organic cotton and are serged around the edges for a clean finish. They don’t need chlorine bleach and softener to be cleaned. The size is around 11x 12 inches and they are made from high quality organic birds-eye weave fabric. All the company’s towels are cut and sewn in the USA. The cotton is GOTS certified and is grown in India or Pakistan organically and in a fair trade manner. They can be used to mop up any spills, as hand dryers, or any typical use that any paper towel would be used for.

Kotton Komfort 8 Piece Towel Set: This one is a great value for 8 pieces for just over $30. They come in 5 colors and have a classic design. They are made from 100% cotton at a 600 GSM rating. They are zero-twist which are very plush. They are made of long and strong premium cotton fibers with a no-twist process that creates exceptional softness, high absorbency, and air circulation. Though not GOTS certified, it is certified by Oeko-Tex which is an equivalent association focused on textile safety and sustainable production. These are very luxurious towels.

Fair Seas Supply Co. Turkish Towel, Peshtemal Towel – 100% Organic Turkish Cotton: These are premium Turkish towels in a luxurious striped design. They can be used as beach towels or bath towels or scarfs or sarongs. They become softer with each wash. They come in a large size of 39-inch x 71 inches and are perfect to dry off after a shower or swim. The towels are made from eco-friendly organic Turkish cotton grown near the Aegean Sea in Turkey. They come in 4 different colors.

Pinzon Organic Cotton Bath Towel, Set of 4, White: These imported 100% cotton towels are GOTS certified. They have a 700 GSM which makes for a thicker and heavier feel and excellent absorbent power. They come in 13 different colors so there is one for everyone. They come in different sets of bath sheets, bath towels, hand towels and washcloths or even a 6 piece complete set. You can get the entire collection to have a uniform experience for your guests.

Welhome Hudson 100% Pure Organic Cotton Quality 6 Piece Luxury Bath Towel Set: These are again made from 100% organic imported cotton. The towel density is 651 GSM so it soaks up water fast. They are loomed with the finest organic fibers making them a great choice for a luxurious experience. They are soft and dry quickly. They come in 6 different colors.

SALBAKOS Organic Turkish Cotton Hotel Bath Towels: These are made from 100% genuine Turkish cotton imported from Denizli, Turkey. They are vat-dried for more than 8 hours so they will retain the bright colors. They are very soft and fluffy and are ideal for your guests. The hems are double-stitched for extra durability. They come in 7 different colors.

Love,

Scooch and Steve