Sustainable Guide to Buying Organic Cotton Towels

Can buying towels impact the environment? Towels are often priced based on their color, design, and pattern, and a purchase is made accordingly. However, being an informed shopper means knowing what to look for in organic towels, including (but not limited to) softness, absorbency, and moisture-retaining properties, along with ethical production. These factors indicate that a product is gentle on the skin, fair to workers, and eco-friendly. Once we start paying attention to these aspects, we realize how interconnected our choices truly are.

What to look for in organic towels?

Look for GOTS certification, the right GSM weight, clearly labeled organic materials, Fair Trade certification, low-impact dyes, and durable construction such as double-stitched hems.

1. Essential Feature: GOTS Certification

What GOTS Certification Guarantees

GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It's often called the gold standard for organic fabrics. The standard covers the entire supply chain post-harvest, including:

Material standards:
✓ No genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton seeds
✓ Strict limits on pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use in farming

Processing standards:
✓ No chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, or heavy metals in dyes
✓ Effluent treatment and limits on wastewater discharge
✓ Restricted list of approved auxiliaries and chemicals

How to Identify GOTS Certification When Shopping

What to look for:
To earn the label, a product must use at least 70% organic fibers or 95% if it carries the "organic" label. All Terra Thread products carry the ORGANIC label.
A clear label such as GOTS Certified + License Number
Markings of a recognized certifying bodies (e.g., Control Union, Oregon Tilth)

Where to find it:
Product hang tags or sewn labels
Official brand website (in product specs)
Packaging or box underside

Quick verification steps:
Note the license number
Check that number in a GOTS public licensee database
Ensure the percentage is ≥ 95% for full "organic" or ≥ 70% for "made with organic"

Red flags (avoid these):
❌ Vague "organic fibers" without percentage or license
❌ Only an "eco" or "natural" label with no third-party body
❌ A license number that fails verification
❌ Claims of "100% organic" without any certifier name

2. Material Type: Organic Fibers to Choose

When we talk about good towels, it really begins with the material, and that material is organic cotton.

Organic cotton isn't just soft; it's honest. It's grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, keeping the soil healthy and farmers safe.

Material standards:
Certified organic cotton
Naturally hypoallergenic
Sustainably farmed

Performance & Feel:
Plush 700 GSM construction for deep absorbency and lasting comfort
A perfect balance of weight and breathability

How to Identify Genuine Organic Cotton Towels When Shopping

What to look for:
Clear labeling that reads "certified organic cotton"
Mention of certification (like GOTS or Fair Trade)

Where to find it:
On sewn-in labels or hang tags
On official brand websites and specification pages

Quick verification steps:
Check the certification or license number
Confirm GSM weight for premium feel
Look for transparent sourcing information

Red flags (avoid these):
❌ Vague terms like "eco cotton" or "organic blend" without certification
❌ Missing GSM or material details
❌ Synthetic shine or slippery texture
❌ "100% organic" claims with no certifier name

Terra Thread sustainable towels are made from 100% certified organic cotton, bringing together softness, strength, and sustainability.

3. GSM Weight: Finding the Right Density

The GSM of a towel is just a way to measure how thick and heavy it is. GSM stands for Grams Per Square Meter, and it measures the thickness of products. The higher the GSM, thicker and more absorbent the towel feels. Lighter towels dry faster and are easy to carry, while heavier towels, like 700 GSM, feel plush and cozy. It is perfect for everyday use and that spa-like comfort at home.

Red flags:
❌ GSM claimed without clear measurement method
❌ Inflated claims (e.g. "800 gsm" on a visibly thin towel)
❌ Discrepancies between listed GSM and feel

4. Fair Trade Certification: Ethical Production

Fair Trade standards, such as the Fair Trade Certified overseen by Fair Trade USA, ensure workers are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and are treated with respect.

Fair Trade USA's Principles

Income sustainability
Rigorous fair trade standards require producers, workers, farmers, and fishers to have additional capital and resources to invest in their lives and their work.

Empowerment
Fair trade creates systems and tools that unlock empowerment for millions of people around the world.

Individual and community well-being
A portion of every fair trade purchase is directed to Community Development Funds for investment in initiatives identified by workers and their communities to meet their most pressing needs. The process of democratically electing a Fair trade Committee that manages these projects empowers worker voice and participation—more on Fair Trade Community Development Funds to Workers below.

Environmental stewardship
Fair trade standards protect the planet and help to keep it healthy for generations to come by prohibiting the most harmful chemicals, preventing water contamination, and requiring good waste management practices.

How to Identify Fair Trade Certification

What to look for:
Fair Trade logo that is third-party verified (organizations like Fair Trade USA, Fairtrade International, Fair For Life, and more certify or verify the claim brands make)
Public listing in the appropriate Fair Trade organization's directory

#5 Additional Features Worth Looking For

The B Corp logo shows that a company cares about more than just its products. It means the business meets high standards for social and environmental performance, is accountable and transparent, and considers the impact on workers and the community. Choosing a B Corp company shows a commitment to doing good in every part of the business, not just making a good product.

What is the Difference Between Organic and Sustainable Towels

Sometimes towels are labeled as sustainable and sometimes as organic, which can be confusing. So what is the main distinction between organic and sustainable towels?

In the United States, the term "organic" is a regulated claim, governed by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), while "sustainable" is not formally regulated. A sustainability claim may apply broadly to a company's operations or its products in general, whereas an organic claim specifically refers to certified products that meet organic standards.

Certified organic means the cotton is grown without harmful chemicals or synthetic pesticides, and the fibers are pure and natural. Sustainable can go a step further, indicating that the entire process (from farming to towel production) is designed to protect the environment, conserve water, and reduce waste. A towel can be organic, sustainable, or both, and understanding the difference helps you choose products that are better for both you and the planet. Note that the term sustainable is not regulated and can be used as a greenwashing term. Therefore, it is best to support brands that are truly sustainable and transparent about their supply chain.

Third-party certifications, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), cover not only the fibers (i.e, organic cotton) but also the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution of textile products sold as GOTS certified.

Greenwashing Red Flags to Avoid

Language Red Flags

❌ "Eco-friendly"
❌ "All-natural"
❌ "Chemical-free"
❌ "Organic-like"

Certification Red Flags

❌ Using a self-created "organic" badge instead of the USDA's or GOTS organic badge
❌ Unverifiable license numbers
❌ Certifications from unknown bodies
❌ Claims like "certified by us"

Pricing Red Flags

❌ Extremely low price compared to competitors
❌ No justification for quality or origin
❌ Frequent massive discounts

Transparency Red Flags

❌ No disclosure of factory details or origin
❌ No ingredient or fiber percentages
❌ No third-party verifications or certifications
❌ Generic "we care about sustainability" statements