Cotton and Linen Cloths

Sustainable Linen

Linen is known as the oldest textile in the world. This woven fabric is soft, absorbent, durable, lint-free, and hypoallergenic. It comes from the flax plant, which is usually grown in the northern or temperate regions of the globe.

The flax plant grows extremely well on its own, especially in cool, moist conditions. It does not require extra water, cultivation, herbicides, or pesticides. Flax is thus very environmentally friendly in terms of water, energy, and chemical use.

While linen is one of the most eco-friendly fabrics, it is also one of the most expensive.

Renewable Cotton

Although India is the world’s biggest producer, cotton is very prevalent around the world. Unlike flax, the cotton plant is usually cultivated in warm climates.

Cotton produces a comfortable, absorbent, breathable cloth. Cotton fibers are woven or knitted into many types of material. The following are just a few familiar types that are good for absorbing messes:

• Terry cotton is a woven or knitted fabric with loops that increase absorption.
• Flannel is a thin cloth. It is woven, then brushed to make a softer, absorbent surface.
• Fleece is thicker than flannel since it is knitted and then brushed.
• “Flour sack” or “tea towel” fabric is a thin cotton yarn with a loose diagonal weave.

Conventional Cotton vs. Organic Cotton

Ninety-nine percent of cotton products in stores are made with conventional cotton, which means that the plant is treated with pesticides and herbicides and the cotton is cleaned and processed with toxic chemicals. When shopping for a more earth-friendly fabric, is it good to look for organic cotton.

Organic cotton is a non-GMO product grown with organic fertilizers, as well as with natural pest and disease control measures instead of typical agricultural chemicals. Organic cotton is also processed in textile factories using nontoxic methods. These measures protect both the workers from dangerous conditions and the land from poisonous contamination.

The downside to organic cotton is that the crop yields are a lot lower than conventional cotton, so it takes more land to produce the same amount as regular cotton. Another debate going on between conventional and organic producers is which crop uses more water resources, with each side arguing that their product is more water-efficient.  

Less than 1% of the world’s cotton is grown organically, so the high demand and low supply, coupled with the costs of certification, makes it more expensive than the regular cotton.

Both linen and cotton are long-lasting fabrics, especially when cared for well. When it comes to end-of-life, if they are treated with nontoxic dyes and sewn with plant-based threads (no plastic or synthetic components), they are fully and safely compostable.

Best Organic Cotton Cloths

Mioeco offers natural-white 100% organic cotton cloths accredited by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), so you can be sure of the “organic” label. This standard also proves that the product is made without bleach, toxic dyes, or other harmful substances. Their cloths are made in a carbon-neutral manufacturing plant in India; the facility runs off solar power and produces zero net carbon emissions. The cotton cloths sell in packs of 10 for about 22 dollars total.

Shop Amazon for Mioeco cotton cloths.

Check out Marley’s Monsters and their “unpaper” towels for some fun colorful flannel cloths. If you want to go full organic AND support my blog, head over to EarthHero.com. Search “unpaper towels” and get a 12 pack of white or natural cloths for the same price as offered on Marley’s site.

Shop EarthHero for Marley’s Monsters cloths.

Full Circle’s dish cloths are my final selection for 100% organic cotton towels. Full Circle is a certified B Corporation that uses nontoxic dyes for their colorful woven cloths. Again, go to EarthHero.com and search “Full Circle cloths” to get a 3-pack for around 7 dollars.

Shop EarthHero for Full Circle cloths.

Best Linen Towels

Linencasa is the last recommendation for this post. They offer a wide selection of 100% linen towels in 3 different weights (thicknesses). Their linen fabric is sourced from Europe, certified by OEKO-Tex Standard 100, and colored with low-impact dyes (water or plant-based dyes that are free of toxic chemicals). One 20-inch x 27-inch towel is priced between 20 and 30 dollars, depending on the weight (thin, medium, or “luxury” thick).

Shop EarthHero and search “Linencasa.”

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