Canada’s newest eco-friendly homeware brand, Takasa is on a mission to make it easier to shop sustainably—without compromising quality, luxury or comfort

Named after the Swahili word meaning “to purify, cleanse and make bright," Takasa was founded by Vancouver couple Ruby and Kuljit Rakhra, and sells luxury homeware linens ranging from duvet covers and bedding to bath towels and crib sheets.

Takasa’s product line is made with 100 percent organic Fairtrade cotton, and is also Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres.

For the Rakhras, the desire to create a sustainable homeware brand came from a personal place. “We know our environment is fragile, and the choices we make today will impact what’s left of this earth tomorrow,” says Ruby.

As the duo notes, sustainability is ‘fashionably in’, but has been clouded by big manufacturing. While society has made progress in the eco space, the frightening pace of global warming is bringing sustainable shopping to the forefront.

“We want eco-friendly shopping to be the norm, not just the exception,” says Kuljit.

In conducting manufacturing research for Takasa, Ruby and Kuljit came across troubling findings. “Textile industries are in the midst of a moral and ethical crisis,” explains Ruby, “We learned that traditional methods of manufacturing cotton often use harmful insecticides and pesticides.”

They also learned that cheap overseas labour is highly exploitative, and workers are subjected to poor working conditions.

In addition to manufacturing methods, Ruby and Kuljit also want to raise awareness about the impacts of chemical dyes on skin, the ‘largest organ in our body’.

takasa bedThey note that traditional cotton is often chemically treated, either with chemical dyes or knitting and weaving oils containing heavy metals. These ‘hidden’ substances can be harmful to your skin without you realizing it.

“The average person spends approximately one-third of their life sleeping. Being wrapped up in conventional cotton bed sheets, day after day, year after year, can silently impact one’s health.”

To combat this issue, the Rakhras paid careful attention to things like thread count. “The higher the thread count, the heavier and denser the material becomes,” says Kuljit, “This impacts what our skin absorbs.”

Essentially, a higher thread count does not always mean higher quality. A thread count over 500 for example, can be too heavy and unbreathable. When in doubt, opt for a count of 300, with single-ply, long staple organic cotton.

But beyond thread count, the quality and type of thread matter too, which is why a certified GOTS organic cotton thread will always be healthier for your skin.

This is because—among other criteria—every step of processing for GOTS-certified products prohibits contact with bleach, chemicals and other harmful dyes. Even printing methods that use fragrant or ‘aromatic solvents’ are not allowed to contain Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

Takasa’s dedication to sustainability is far-reaching, down to the packaging and even their sticker labels. All their packaging materials are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which supports responsible forest management and works with buyers of paper and wood to help them create sustainable products.

As Takasa continues to grow, Ruby and Kuljit are eager to expand their ever-growing community of mindful, sustainable consumers, while also celebrating luxury and comfort.

“We are proud of our commitment and efforts to minimize contamination, to uphold organic standards, and to honour the promise of pure, clean manufacturing practices.”