As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links do not affect our ratings. Learn more.

Best Non-Toxic Hand Towels

We vetted hand towels against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

Natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, wool, and hemp
Natural or low-impact dyes, free from azo dyes
Trusted third-party certifications like GOTS & OEKO-TEX
Transparent sourcing, materials, and manufacturing practices

Best Non-Toxic Hand Towels

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Top Pick

Weezie

Signature Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Made in EU, Hypoallergenic, Classic terry, 2 pack

9.0

Performance score

Where to buy

Weezie
See price

Lightweight terry cloth made from organic long-staple cotton, woven at a third-generation family-owned factory in Portugal.
Each towel has a built-in hanging loop so it can air out between uses instead of sitting damp on a towel bar.
Piped contrast trim gives these non-toxic hand towels a more finished look than a standard folded edge.
Low-linting construction, so you're not leaving fuzz on your face or hands after drying off.
Weezie offers optional monogramming and custom embroidery, handled by their in-house team in Atlanta before shipping.

Free email mini-course

Welpr Blueprint: Go Non-Toxic Mini-Course

The 80/20 guide to going non-toxic the easy way.

Budget Pick

Coyuchi

Organic Hand Towels (1 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, BPA Free, BPF Free, BPS Free, Chlorine Free, Dye Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: GOTS Certified, Made Safe
Highlights: Classic terry, Single, Quick dry

8.0

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price
Coyuchi
See price

Coyuchi's Air Weight line uses a twill weave with long loops of organic cotton, creating small spaces between the terry rows so the loops fan out and absorb quickly. Absorbency improves over time as the fibers soften with washing.
If you're shopping for non-toxic hand towels, the construction here is worth understanding: the weave is designed to dry fast both on your body and on the towel bar, so you're less likely to deal with musty, slow-drying towels between uses.
Coyuchi has been making organic cotton home textiles for over 30 years and runs a take-back program (2nd Home) where you can send back worn linens for store credit. Returned products are either reconditioned and resold or recycled into new items.
The cotton is grown and woven in India using low-impact dyes and natural finishes, with no chemical treatments applied to the finished fabric.
Peroxide-based skin and hair products (like benzoyl peroxide acne treatments) can cause discoloration on these towels, so keep that in mind if anyone in your household uses them.

Delilah Home

100% Organic Cotton Bath Towels Collection (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: GOTS Certified
Highlights: Vegan, Made in EU, EU safety standards, Hypoallergenic, 0.0821917808 year warranty, Plush, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.5

Performance score

Where to buy

Delilah Home
See price

Long-staple Turkish cotton is spun into fine yarns and loomed into 2-ply double loops, which creates a dense, plush pile that feels noticeably thick and fluffy rather than flat or thin.
At 700 GSM, these are roughly 50% thicker than most conventional bath towels. That weight translates to high absorbency, though it also means longer drying times between uses.
Made in a family-owned workshop in Portugal, not mass-produced overseas. The entire supply chain, from raw cotton to finished towel, is independently audited for organic integrity.
If you're switching to non-toxic hand towels because of skin sensitivities or eczema, the lack of synthetic finishes and chemical treatments on the fabric means less potential for irritation against wet skin.
Expect some light shedding during the first wash cycle. The brand recommends skipping fabric softener sheets entirely and using dryer balls instead, since chemical residues from detergents and softeners break down the fibers faster over time.

Boll & Branch

Plush Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Plush, 2 pack

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Boll & Branch
See price

Sold as a pair of hand towels in Boll & Branch's Plush line, which is their densest, heaviest bath fabrication.
The texture is velvety rather than crisp or waffle-knit. Low-twist terry loops give the towels a fluffy feel while still pulling moisture effectively.
If you're shopping for non-toxic hand towels, the construction here is worth noting: long-staple organic cotton finished without harsh chemicals, and a special tumbling process adds softness without chemical softeners.
Ethically made in India, with Boll & Branch directly sourcing raw materials rather than outsourcing through intermediaries.
Expect some shedding on the first wash cycle; it tapers off after that. They need to be washed separately from clothes and bedding, with no bleach or brighteners.

Anact

Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: GOTS Certified
Highlights: Plastic-free packaging, Recyclable packaging, Compostable packaging, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Anact
See price

Video Review

Watch

Hemp fiber is naturally biostatic, meaning it resists bacterial growth on its own. That's what helps these non-toxic hand towels avoid the mildewy smell that conventional cotton towels develop between washes.
The hemp-cotton blend has a slightly exfoliating texture rather than a plush feel. If you prefer fluffy hotel-style towels, this will feel noticeably different.
Hemp dries significantly faster than cotton, so the towels are less likely to stay damp on the hook all day. Each one includes a built-in loop specifically for hang drying.
Available in two undyed options: one bleached white, one unbleached natural. Neither uses added dyes, which matters if your skin reacts to textile dyes.
The founder started Anact after working in sustainability at major sportswear companies and discovering hemp's properties firsthand. Hemp textile manufacturing currently happens in China, though the brand is working to bring fiber production back to the U.S.

Boll & Branch

Turkish Ribbed Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: Fair Trade International, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Ribbed, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Boll & Branch
See price

The cotton used here is extra-long staple Turkish cotton grown in the Aegean region, which is known for producing longer, more absorbent fibers than standard cotton.
Each yarn is double-spun and then lofted with air (a process Boll & Branch calls "airlooming"), which is what gives the towel its plush feel. The softness reportedly increases with washing rather than decreasing.
The ribbed texture isn't just aesthetic; it increases surface area, which helps the towel dry faster between uses compared to a flat-weave or traditional terry.
Midweight and plush rather than thick and heavy, so these non-toxic hand towels split the difference between a thin quick-dry towel and a bulky bath-style one.
Boll & Branch directly sources its raw materials rather than outsourcing, and was the first bedding brand to use Fair Trade certified factories.

Sleep & Beyond

100% Organic Cotton Hand Towel

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: Fair Trade International, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Compostable packaging, 3 year warranty, Classic terry, Single, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price
Sleep & Beyond
See price

Low-twist, two-ply organic cotton terry that starts out plush and gets softer with each wash rather than breaking down over time.
Built for absorbency and quick drying, so it doesn't stay damp and musty between uses.
Produced in a solar-powered, Fair Trade factory in India using 91% less water than conventional cotton towel manufacturing.
For anyone shopping for non-toxic hand towels, even the product labels and packaging are organic cotton and biodegradable, not just the towel itself.
Sleep & Beyond's zero-waste approach means leftover fabric from production gets repurposed into packaging materials and new product samples rather than discarded.

Verlee Home

Organic Classic Turkish Cotton Hand Towel (2 Piece)

Certified: 1% For The Planet
Highlights: Hypoallergenic, Plastic-free packaging, Recyclable packaging, Recycled materials, Money-back guarantee, Turkish, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Verlee Home
See price

Zero-twist yarn construction means the cotton fibers stay open rather than tightly spun, which is what gives these towels their softness and absorbency without needing a heavy, dense weave.
Woven from extra-long staple Aegean cotton, a specific variety grown in Turkey's coastal basin. "Turkish cotton" on most labels just means cotton grown anywhere in Turkey; Aegean refers to the longer, finer fiber.
Dyes are free of harmful synthetic chemicals, but that trade-off means they're more prone to discoloration from skincare products like benzoyl peroxide. If that's part of your routine, white is the safer color choice.
Grown and woven in the same region by a family-run mill in Denizli, Turkey that's been working with organic Aegean cotton since 1996. Fiber sourcing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing all happen in-house.
For anyone comparing non-toxic hand towels, Verlee publishes a full cost breakdown on every product page showing exactly what goes into materials, duties, fulfillment, and markup.

Verlee Home

Organic Plush Turkish Cotton Hand Towel (2 Piece)

Certified: 1% For The Planet
Highlights: Hypoallergenic, Plastic-free packaging, Recyclable packaging, Recycled materials, Money-back guarantee, Plush, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Verlee Home
See price

Zero-twist yarn construction means the cotton fibers stay open rather than tightly spun, which is what gives the towel its plush feel and high absorbency without the stiffness you'd expect from a heavier towel.
Made from extra-long staple Aegean cotton, a specific variety grown in Turkey's coastal basin where the climate produces a finer, more uniform fiber than standard Turkish cotton. Not all towels labeled "Turkish cotton" use this grade.
The Plush line is the heavier of Verlee's two towel styles. If you prefer something lighter and quicker-drying, they also make a Classic version with a lower GSM.
Dyes are free of harsh synthetic chemicals, but they can be sensitive to skincare actives like benzoyl peroxide. If that's part of your routine, white is the safer color choice.
Verlee's towel mill in Denizli, Turkey has been working with organic Aegean cotton since 1996, handling everything from fiber sourcing through finishing in-house. For non-toxic hand towels, that kind of vertical production means fewer unknowns in the supply chain.
Sold as a 2-pack, with the option to build out a matching set across bath towels, bath sheets, and washcloths in the same fabric and color.

Weezie

Scallop Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Made in EU, Hypoallergenic, Classic terry, 2 pack, Quick dry

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Weezie
See price

Lightweight terry cloth hand towels with a scallop edge detail and contrast trim, sold as a pair. Each towel includes a hanging loop for drying between uses.
Weezie manufactures their towels at a third-generation family-owned factory in Portugal, using long-staple cotton for the terry. Embroidery and personalization (if you opt for it) are done by hand at their facility in Atlanta.
The scallop line sits at a higher price point than Weezie's own Signature and Basic hand towels. The difference is the decorative scalloped border rather than a straight or piped edge.
If you're looking for non-toxic hand towels that double as a guest bathroom detail, the scallop trim gives these a more finished, intentional look compared to a standard flat-edge towel.

Boll & Branch

Turkish Waffle Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Chlorine Free, Flame Retardant Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: Fair Trade International, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Waffle weave, 2 pack

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Boll & Branch
See price

Waffle weave towels made from organic Turkish cotton, sold as a pair. The yarns are double spun using Boll & Branch's proprietary "airloom" process, which creates the dimensional texture and adds springiness.
Midweight and breathable rather than thick and plush. If you prefer a lighter towel that dries quickly over a heavy, fluffy one, the waffle construction is built for that.
The waffle texture isn't just visual; the pockets in the weave increase surface area, which helps with absorbency despite the towel feeling thinner than a traditional terry.
For anyone shopping for non-toxic hand towels, Boll & Branch directly sources their raw materials and uses organic farming processes that skip synthetic pesticides and GMOs.
Available in seven colorways, so they can coordinate across a full bath set (Boll & Branch makes matching bath towels, bath sheets, and washcloths in the same waffle weave).

Brooklinen

Super Plush Hand Towels (2 Pack)

Free From: Azo Dye Free, Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Low VOC, PFAS Free, Phthalate Free
Certified: OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Highlights: Plush, 2 pack

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price
Brooklinen
See price

Pros

Noticeably thick and plush compared to typical towels.
Has a soft, high-end feel that stands out from standard options.

Cons

Colors don't match across sizes; multiple people found hand towels and bath towels in the same listed color were visibly different.
Absorbency doesn't match the plushness; one person found them less absorbent than expected.
Loose threads started appearing after about a dozen washes.

Brooklinen's Super-Plush is their heavyweight towel line, made from Turkish cotton with a z-twist yarn construction. The z-twist adds durability so the loops hold up over repeated washes rather than flattening out.
At 820 GSM, these are noticeably thick and dense. For context, most standard hand towels fall in the 400-600 GSM range, so these land firmly on the heavy, absorbent end of the spectrum.
The tradeoff with that thickness: they take longer to dry between uses than a lighter towel. If you prefer something that dries quickly on the rack, Brooklinen also makes a waffle-weave line for that reason.
Sourced and manufactured in Turkey, where long-staple cotton production and towel weaving are a regional specialty. If you're shopping for non-toxic hand towels, the cotton origin matters because Turkish mills have a long track record with this fiber.
Sold as a set of two. Brooklinen operates as a direct-to-consumer brand, skipping retail markups, which is how they price a high-GSM Turkish cotton towel at this level.

How to Swap to Non-Toxic hand towels:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic hand towels:

What to know about hand towels

Hand towels are used multiple times a day and pressed against your hands, face, and skin regularly. Because of this frequent, direct contact, the fabric they're made of and how they're finished matters more than you might think.

Conventional towels are often made with synthetic fibers, chemical finishes for softness or quick-drying, and dyes that may not be ideal for repeated skin contact.
Welpr focuses on what hand towels are made of — the fiber, the dye, and any treatments applied to the fabric.

Review the hand towels you already use

Check the labels on your current hand towels to see what they're made of. Look for fiber content, any mention of finishes or treatments, and where they were made.

If the label says 100% cotton or linen with no mention of added finishes, that's a good starting point — but organic or certified options are even better.
Prioritize checking the towels you use most often or keep in bathrooms and kitchens where they touch your face and hands throughout the day.

Get more out of the hand towels you have

If you're not ready to replace your towels right away, a few simple steps can reduce what your skin is exposed to from existing ones.

Wash new towels at least once or twice before using them — this helps remove residual dyes, chemical finishes, and manufacturing residues.
Use a fragrance-free, simple laundry detergent when washing towels to avoid adding synthetic fragrances or coatings back onto the fabric.

Choose cleaner hand towels

Look for hand towels made from natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, or hemp. These materials are gentle on skin and avoid the synthetic treatments found in many conventional options.

Certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, or MADE SAFE® are helpful signals, but also check that the brand is transparent about materials, dyes, and how the towels are produced.
Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved hand towels.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

View full profile

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

View full profile