Wearing a fluffy cotton robe makes everything more luxurious, even if you’re just watching TV or cleaning your house. Between breathability and softness, a cotton robe is the perfect layer for those mornings when you want to stay wrapped in the comforts of home just a little longer.
For added peace of mind, consider an organic cotton robe. Thanks to organic cotton’s sustainable growth and manufacturing, you can feel confident that the fabric that touches your skin has never come in contact with harsh chemicals or pesticides. Spend your mornings feeling that much better about staying cozy and lounging in your bathrobe.
Organic textiles have long been heralded for their possible health benefits and sustainable nature. They’re simply not grown the same way as conventional fibers. Instead, they thrive on rainwater, limit harmful runoff and aren’t loaded with the sort of chemicals the World Health Organization warns about. But do organic textiles work as well in a robe? When you’re relaxing in a sustainable bathrobe, you should really be able to relax. Here’s what you need to know about ethically made organic robes for women and men alike.
What is an Organic Robe?
Organic robes are sustainable robes, made from fibers grown, harvested, and processed into fabrics without the use of genetic modification, synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers and other potentially harmful chemicals. Why is that important? In conventional farming, over 5.6 billion pounds of pesticides are dumped on the planet every single year, and many developing countries struggle to control exposure.
In other words, a lot of agricultural chemicals are floating around our planet. They’re making their way into our drinking water and onto our skin — the last places you’d want harmful chemicals to show up. And since you’ll be spending plenty of time in your robe, you want it to be free from harsh chemicals that could harm your skin or lungs.
The chemicals used in traditional farming and textile production also poses a problem for both wildlife and your personal health. In fact, the EPA lists polluted runoff as the top threat to clean water in the United States. So, how can you ensure your organic robe is safe for both you and for the planet?
How Do You Know an Organic Robe is Organic?
The FTC and USDA oversee organic products, making sure they meet the strict federal standards of organic certification. You’ll see the USDA organic stamp on robes and other clothing products, but that certification only governs farming — not the actual production of the textiles, and the products that they’re made of.
Textile production process can use a long list of chemicals (think: formaldehyde, dyes with high levels of heavy metals and chlorine bleach, which creates toxic byproducts). For an organic bathrobe to truly boast all the benefits of organic cotton, the textile’s production process should also be certified. The gold standards are the Textile Exchange’s Organic Content Standard (OCS) and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
There are additional certifications for both chemical content and sustainability. The Oeko-Tex “Standard 100” certification is the strictest certification to ensure that the entirety of a product is free from harmful chemicals — down to the very button. Similarly, sustainable robes can carry an Oeko-Tex “Made in Green” certification, which ensures products are made in eco-friendly facilities with ethical labor practices.
What to learn more about Oeko-Tex certification? Check out Parachute’s guide, What is Oeko-Tex?
Organic Cotton is the Best Option for a Bathrobe
You might not notice much of a difference between conventional and organic cotton on the surface. Organic cotton bathrobes are just as soft, fluffy and absorbent. So, why is organic cotton the best material for a bathrobe? Because it’s ethically made and doesn’t use harmful chemicals during the growing process.
Wearing an organic cotton robe ensures your skin won’t come in contact with common chemicals found in more traditional growth and harvesting processes. That covers the glyphosate found in Roundup weedkiller, toxic cotton defoliants, heavy metals, PVC, ammonia, formaldehyde and more.
Not only does selecting a sustainable bathrobe made of organic cotton keep these potentially hazardous substances out of your closet and away from your body, but it also makes it easy to support more sustainable practices. As a consumer, your spending habits help carry your personal values and your voice farther. So — make a statement about how important responsible, organic textiles are to you, your family and your community.
Certified Organic
Eco-friendly robes by Parachute are certified organic by the GOTSⓇ and by Oeko-Tex. That means you can rest assured that every step throughout the supply chain and production process has been tracked, reviewed and approved to meet stringent environmental standards and ethical working conditions.
Adding these certifications and expanding our organic cotton product offerings are just some of the ways Parachute is demonstrating our commitment to our climate, the earth, and providing ethically sourced and manufactured products for our customers.
What Makes Organic Robes Sustainable?
Organic bathrobes are also sustainable bathrobes. First, cotton is an inherently sustainable fiber that helps combat the greenhouse gases linked to climate change. Research has shown that cotton plants are champions at absorbing CO2 and have some of the lowest emission rates compared to other popular fibers. It’s farming that’s the issue. Here’s where sustainable bathrobes get it right.
Organic Cotton Bathrobes Use Less Water
All cotton production requires water — but that can have severe negative consequences for the environment. At one time, the Aral Sea was the fourth largest sea in the world, but it dried up in the wake of unsustainable cotton cultivation. Organic textiles don’t cause the same problems. Research has shown organic cotton crops use 91% less water, relying instead heavily on rainwater.
They Reduce Pollution
Cotton is one of the most chemical-heavy crops in the world. Even though it only accounts for 2.5% of the world’s agricultural land, it uses 16% to 25% of the world’s pesticides — and that’s before we include toxic cotton defoliants and artificial fertilizers. All of this has to go somewhere, so it winds up in the air, water and earth.
Organic cotton doesn’t produce the same amount of pollution. Rather than heavy duty herbicides and pesticides, organic farmers use methods like trap crops, beneficial insects, or naturally derived weedkillers. They emit 46% less greenhouse gases by not using artificial fertilizers, alone. In theory, untreated cotton is also biodegradable, or at the very least, recyclable. In the United States, textile trash is a huge problem. Americans throw away 12.8 million tons of textiles a year, but most of it is synthetic and can’t biodegrade.
Overall, the cotton industry is changing. Over the last 25 years, farmers in Australia have worked to halve the amount of water needed to grow a single bale of cotton. Nonetheless, organic cotton still makes the most eco-friendly robe.
To learn more about the benefits of wearing sustainable clothes, read our guide on the Benefits of Organic Clothing.
Are Organic Cotton Robes Soft?
Organic cotton robes are the perfect choice for busy mornings, quiet days at home and any other time you want to surround yourself in comfort.
Think about the familiar, comforting feeling of coming home from the busy world of work, responsibility and activity, releasing yourself from stiff and scratchy fabrics and slipping into a well-loved old t-shirt. You know that feeling. It’s like breathing a sigh of relief.
Wrapping yourself in an organic cotton robe feels just like that, except instead of an old shirt softened by years of wear and washing, our organic cotton robes are soft and cozy the very first time you put them on. They’re made with a soft and stretchy jersey knit fabric, so every time you cozy up in your organic cotton robe, you’ll feel like you’re getting reacquainted with an old friend.
But softness isn’t the only path to comfort.
At Parachute, we believe that part of feeling truly relaxed means clearing your mind of worry and stress. As citizens of the earth, we’re often preoccupied with worrisome headlines and mounting concerns about environmental damage, unethical employment practices and the lasting, damaging effects of modern manufacturing. Investing in organic cotton lets you breathe easier, knowing you’re choosing to be part of the solution by supporting an industry built on sustainability.
Soothe your mind and your body with one of the best organic robes you’ll ever encounter.
How to Wash & Care for Organic Bathrobes
Organic bathrobes don’t use the same kind of heavy dyes as the average non-organic cotton robe. On one hand, choosing an organic robe means you’re not exposing yourself to high levels of sulfur and heavy metals. On the flipside, the colors in organic robes can fade a little easier than colors in synthetic fabrics. Organic cotton is extremely durable, but you still have to be careful to preserve your robe’s longevity
You should always wash your organic bathrobe in cool water using mild, natural laundry detergent. Tumble dry on low, and remove your sustainable robe while it’s still a little damp to prevent shrinking and wrinkles. How much you wash your robe depends on how much you wear it. A good rule of thumb is to wash sustainable robes on a similar schedule to your towels and linens.
For more details on washing organic cotton, read on:
More Organic Cotton Home Essentials to Consider
Once you’ve become accustomed to the way it feels to surround yourself with a luxurious organic bathrobe, you’re bound to crave more organic cotton in your life!
Parachute makes it easy to fill your home, your bed and your closet with these soft, sustainable materials. With a wide selection of organic cotton products, from bedding and bath accessories to loungewear designed for maximum relaxation, you can keep the sense of freshness and peace going throughout every room of your home.
Look Forward to Cozying Up in Our Organic Cotton Bedding Collection
We all know the feeling of waking up and wishing we could stay in bed just a little while longer. Well, get ready to love your bed even more than you already do!
Our organic bedding collection includes everything you need to maximize your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Select each element and accessory individually, from pillowcases and shams to organic cotton quilts and blankets, or select a customizable Organic Cotton Bed Bundle. Slipping under the covers never felt so good.
Feel Cleaner and Ready to Take On the World With Organic Cotton for the Bath
Complete every refreshing bath or shower by drying off with one of our soft Organic Cotton Towels. A natural, pebbled texture increases surface area and absorbance, so you can dry off quicker and feel ready to meet the day ahead.
Complete your bath set with an Organic Cotton Tub Mat for warmer feet on cold tile no matter the season! It’s like walking on a carpet of comfort.
Dress Yourself in Comfort With Organic Cotton Loungewear
Slipping into something a little more comfortable doesn’t have to mean clinging to your oldest pair of sweatpants or a hoodie from college. Celebrate chic yet functional comfort with the soft, clean look and feel of organic cotton tees and organic cotton pants for men and women.
Spend some time in our soft and stretchy jersey knit and you’ll find yourself looking for excuses to stay home on the couch! Learn more about what to look for in organic clothing in our Best Organic Clothing & Loungewear guide.
Good Fabric Makes a Big Difference
An organic robe transforms even the tiniest bathroom into a fancy home spa — but organic bathrobes are more than just a luxury. They also help protect the environment and keep your family nice and cozy.
You have to live in your skin your entire life. Even if you go organic, you may also want to reach for clothing and linens that are made of GOTSⓇ certified organic cotton to ensure that no harmful chemicals ended up in the final product. The coziness of a fluffy robe feels a lot cozier when you know your skin isn’t rubbing up against anything harmful. Check out Parachute’s organic collection, and wrap yourself up in peace of mind.
For more information on the comfiest bedding and clothing materials, read on:
Are Organic Sheets Worth It? What to Look for in Organic Bedding
Linen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer
Percale: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer
Sateen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer
Brushed Cotton: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer
Sateen vs. Silk vs. Satin: What’s the Difference?
How to Choose a Pillow Based on How You Sleep
How to Choose the Right Style and Material for Your Bed Sheets
Pillowcases and Shams: Everything You Need to Know
Mattress and Bedding Protectors: Everything You Need to Know