Eco-Friendly Bath Towels: Bamboo, Hemp and Organic Cotton

In these days of "going green," you want to take environmentally conscious steps in your home, and that includes the bathroom. You already use natural hair care products, and you lather up with biodegradable soap.

Your bathroom cabinets are clear of harsh chemical cleansers, toxic air fresheners and other chemical-laden products. You've switched to low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, and water-saving bathroom fixtures. Maybe you've even remodeled your bathroom with recycled materials.

Are you also going green with your bath linens?

The bathroom is your home's center for relaxation and rejuvenation, and bath towels are the foundation of a spa-like experience at home. Few things are better than stepping out of a nice hot shower -- or the bathtub after a long soak -- and wrapping yourself in a warm, fluffy bath towel.

Can thick and luxurious bath towels be eco-friendly, too? Of course they can, if they are made with natural materials like organic cotton, bamboo and hemp.

The natural fibers of organic cotton and other eco-friendly towels are grown with fewer synthetic fertilizers and pesticides than regular cotton towels. They are manufactured without harmful chemicals, often in wind-powered plants.

The makers of organic fiber towels use natural dyes and fabric softeners that are much less harmful to the environment than synthetic materials. Additionally, organic towels are antimicrobial, non-allergenic and gentle on sensitive skin.

Isn't it time to green your bathroom with eco-friendly bath towels? Here are a few suggestions. (If you already use natural fiber towels, tell us about your experience in the comments section below.)

Bamboo bath towels are the perfect choice for an eco-friendly bathroom. They are both stylish and comfortable. Rich, elegant, plush and soft, bamboo bath towels get better with each wash.

Bamboo towels are typically made from a blend of combed organic cotton and natural fibers from sustainable, renewable bamboo. The luxurious towels are amazingly soft, yet very absorbent due to bamboo's natural wicking abilities. The antimicrobial properties associated with bamboo are beneficial, too.

Most care labels advise washing bamboo towels in cool water on a gentle machine cycle. Mild soap will clean the towels, and they should be dried on a low-heat dryer setting. Fabric softeners and chlorine bleach are not recommended for bamboo towels.

Organic cotton bath towels are as plush and beautiful as they are eco-friendly. They get their luxurious feel from soft combed cotton.

Natural fiber cotton towels are often woven into attractive designs, such as stripes and ribbed or jacquard patterns. Low-impact vegetable dyes give these towels a beautiful color palette, too.

Even the care labels and hang tags are made from recycled materials, so organic cotton towels are truly earth-friendly and kind to the environment.

Because they tend to shrink over time, these natural fiber towels come in generous sizes that contribute to their luxurious feel. As they shrink slightly with each washing, they also get softer along the way.

Some natural cotton bath towels are made with a European inspired waffle weave design. These sophisticated, oversize towels shrink each time they are washed, forming small indentations called "honeycombs."

Cotton waffle weave towels also get softer with each wash. Because they are lighter than other weaves, they require a much shorter drying time -- which makes them energy savers, too.

Like organic cotton and bamboo bath towels, cotton waffle weave towels are antimicrobial and resistant to mold and mildew. Their non-allergenic properties make them ideal for people with sensitive skin.

Hemp bath towels are known for their thickness, durability and absorbency. Made from a blend of raw materials -- usually organic hemp and natural cotton, or organic hemp and flax linen -- they are stronger and heftier than their fluffy cotton counterparts.

Most hemp towels are terry pile towels. Their exfoliating abilities make them ideal massage towels. In contrast to the plush, pampering qualities of bamboo and organic cotton, hemp towels invigorate tired skin after a long day.

Hemp's absorbent fibers are good for soaking up water and moisture. Strong, earth-friendly hemp towels will usually soften up over time, and they typically outlast organic cotton towels.

• HGTV writers. (n.d.) "Eco Friendly Bathrooms." HGTV. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
• Roston, Eric. (2008, April 17). "The Environment: Green Websites." Time Magazine. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
• Wright, Lili. (2009, September 4). "Elements Of A Green Bathroom." U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved June 6, 2011.

Copyright © 2011. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.

Published: June 6, 2011 / Modified: May 5, 2012