What to Look For

Thick, fluffy towels are one of life's real indulgences. And thanks to the growing availability of eco-friendly alternatives, you don't have to compromise the environment for a little luxury.

Materials:
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically engineered seeds. FoxFiber color-grown organic cotton has been bred (not genetically modified) to grow in brown, green and beige colors.

Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can grow wild without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and it's naturally antimicrobial.

Wood pulp is another naturally antimicrobial fiber, and is actually softer and silkier than bamboo or cotton. Some wood pulp can be harvested in ways that contribute to deforestation, but the towels we've listed on our Product Comparisons page all use wood from well-managed forests.

How it's bleached or processed: Look for towels that are either unbleached or bleached with hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine bleach. Bamboo and wood pulp are often processed with caustic chemical solvents. The preferred method involves mechanical means, in which the grass or wood raw materials are turned into a pulp by machines rather than chemicals.

Third-Party Certification: When available, buy towels that bear the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Skal "EKO Sustainable Textile" or Oeko-Tex certifications. Skal's comprehensive certification has provisions to reduce the environmental impact of every stage of a fabric's production, from the harvesting of raw materials to the dyes, bleaches and processing agents used. Oeko-Tex is a little less stringent, and primarily ensures that any chemicals used in dyeing or finishing aren't lingering on the finished product.

Usage Tips

• New towels may not seem all that absorbent until you've washed them a few times. Add a cup of white vinegar to the first few washings to help break down plant oils that may linger on fabrics.

• New towels should be washed at least once before using to remove any chemicals or residues from processing.

• Avoid fabric softeners, which can build up on the fibers and decrease absorbency.