Best Organic Cotton Beach Towels & Blankets
WRITTEN BY: TESS • May 6, 2026
Summer is finally around the corner again — bring on the relaxing pool days, beach reads, and afternoons spent by the water. And if you’re restocking your beach essentials this year, this is your sign to skip the plastic-filled towels and blankets.
If you’ve watched Plastic Detox (highly recommend), you probably already know plastics are used in far more everyday products than most of us realize — yep, even beach towels.
With more research emerging around microplastics and their potential impact on both human health and the environment, I’ve been trying to make small swaps where I can. Beach towels might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but many are made with polyester or microfiber blends — both synthetic, plastic-based materials.
So, I rounded up a list of beach towels and blankets made with natural materials like cotton and organic cotton, along with a few lower-tox certifications worth looking for. Because personally, I’d rather spend summer at the beach worrying about being present and having fun than microplastics.
So… plastic in towels?
Surprisingly, yes.
Many beach towels and blankets are made from a blend of synthetic materials — usually a cotton/polyester blend. Polyester is a form of plastic. It’s essentially a synthetic (non-natural), petroleum-derived material that is melted down and used in a variety of products ranging from textiles, clothing, water bottles, food packaging and more.
Since beach towels are mostly used outdoors, in the sun, in warm weather, and where friction is involved (when drying off from a ocean dip), all of these factors can increase the potential for microplastic shedding which can be harmful to both human health and the environment.
What about microfiber?
Microfiber is also a plastic-derived synthetic material made from petroleum-based fibers. Microfiber towels are useful in specific situations such as for hikers, athletes who need quick-drying materials. But, for the general population, natural materials are a better option.
What to look for when shopping
When shopping for a plastic-free beach towel or blanket you’ll want to look for natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. The gold-standard is organic cotton/linen, but sometimes these can be hard to find, so at the minimum look for 100% cotton or linen.
Here are a couple of things to look for:
Is OEKO-TEX the same as organic?
No. OEKO-TEX means the finished fabric has been tested for certain harmful substances, while organic certifications like GOTS relate to how the cotton is grown and processed.
Not all “premium cotton” beach towels are actually organic — many are just OEKO-TEX certified or standard cotton. The only ones in this list that are truly certified organic cotton are Coyuchi, and Delilah Home.
Explore a curated list of both certified organic and premium cotton beach towels and blankets below.
Coyuchi Dawn Stripe Organic Beach Towel
A nice standout if you’re looking for something more intentional — it’s made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, which always feels like a big plus. The stripe design keeps it classic, a little nostalgic, and easy to style.
Material: 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton (grown in India and woven in Portugal)
Delilah Home 100% Organic Cotton Sunset Beach Towels
Really straightforward in a good way. Organic cotton, simple design, and very aligned with a more natural, low-tox approach. Nothing fussy — just an easy, clean option
- Material: 100% Organic Turkish Cotton, certified to the GOTS standard
- GSM: 400
100% cotton, but not certified organic…
Weezie Beach Towel
This one leans a bit more soft and elevated in feel. It has that resort-style vibe but still practical for actual beach days — basically a mix of pretty + functional.
- Material: 100% organic long-staple cotton
- Hypoallergenic, low linting and OEKO-TEX® certified
Stray & Wander Turkish Towels
Lightweight, simple, and easy to throw in a beach bag. These have more of that relaxed Turkish towel feel and are made from hand-loomed organic Turkish cotton.
- Material: 100% Hand-Loomed Organic Turkish Cotton
Brooklinen Beach Towel
This one feels like a classic, comfort-first beach towel. It’s thick, soft, and clearly made for lounging rather than anything lightweight or travel-friendly. Very much a “stay at the beach all day” kind of option.
- Material: 100% Cotton, 550 GSM
Parachute Casita Beach Towel
Super simple and minimal in that signature Parachute style. It has that clean, calm look that would work well if you like a more stripped-back, neutral beach setup.
- Material: 100% Cotton, OEKO-TEX® Class 1 Certified
- GSM: 550
Boll & Branch The Beach Blanket
More of a beach blanket than a towel, but such a great one for spreading out. It’s oversized and ideal for picnics, group beach days, or just creating a little base camp on the sand.
- Material: 100% organic long-staple Turkish cotton
Brooklinen Parkside Beach Blanket
The perfect organic cotton beach blanket! Soft cotton, oversized, and easy to pack along for picnics, lounging, or post-swim snacks on the sand.
- Material: 100% Turkish cotton, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
Where else can I find cotton beach towels?
Even though certified organic cotton beach towels may be hard to find, you can definitely find 100% cotton (likely even OEKO-TEX) in stores like Target, Home Goods, and Home Sense – just keep an eye out this summer! Even though they’re probably not certified organic, 100% cotton is still a great option!
Hopefully this roundup helps you find a beach towel or blanket that feels a little better for both you and the environment this summer. Happy summer days!
