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SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Why buy cotton from Egypt?

When Blessed Earth first began researching organic cotton suppliers in early 2004, there was no certified organic cotton being grown in Australia. So far there has only been one recent crop harvested in Australia and although we did stock some product lines such as bedding and t-shirts which utilised this cotton, the supply is now coming to an end. Therefore, in order to continue supporting chemical-free growing and processing of cotton products, most of our items will now be made using imported fabric.

Why organic cotton?

Cotton is a heavily sprayed crop and accounts for an estimated 25% of the world's use of insecticides. Each season the cotton is sprayed between 10-18 times with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides and accounts for millions of litres of pesticide being used, which pollute our waterways and cause health problems.
It is not only the process of growing cotton which is chemically intensive, but also the finishing of the fabric. Some of the chemicals used in the finishing process include heavy metal dyes and also possible carcinogens such as formaldehyde. Most chemicals applied during growing, processing and ongoing production are permanently in the fabrics and there is growing evidence that these chemicals are affecting our health.
Another issue is genetic modification of cotton seeds which is becoming increasingly popular amongst cotton growers.
Organic certification ensures that the seeds used are G.M. free.

Is organic cotton durable?

Yes, if anything it is more durable than conventionally grown cotton
because chemicals can be hard on fibres.
Blessed Earth garments are high quality and, with proper care, will last much longer than most other cotton brands.

Is it more expensive?

Yes it is, because growing cotton organically is more labour intensive than conventional cotton growing.
We try to keep our prices and overheads as low as possible, but ultimately, our prices are a true reflection of what good quality, ethically produced, organic cotton products cost.

Is it bleached?

The fabric used in our range has been lightly bleached with environmentally safe Hydrogen Peroxide (oxygen) during the pre-shrinking process.
Chlorine bleaching, often used in conventional cotton, can create extremely harmful dioxins and is not used in organic cotton.
Because of this, apparent blemishes can still remain in the fabric and we ask you to regard these as 'beauty spots'.

Does it shrink?

The fabric used in our range has been pre-shrunk. In order to minimize any further shrinkage (up to 5%), we recommend washing in warm (under 40 degrees) or cold water only, not hot. A hot dryer setting can also cause shrinkage. Any shrinkage which does occur is most noticeable in the length of the garment and less so in the width.

Can Blessed Earth garments be machine washed?

Yes. All Blessed Earth garments can be machine washed in warm (under 40 degrees) or cold water, preferably on a delicate cycle and then hung to dry naturally or machine dryed on a low setting. Hand washing is not required but will prolong the life of your garment. We recommend using an environmentally-friendly washing powder - eg: Planet Ark, Enviroclean, Ecologic. Blessed Earth garments will last for many years, with proper care.

Are the dyes environmentally-responsible?

All of the dyes used in our products are approved by organic certification bodies. They are low-impact and free from heavy metals.

Will I feel the difference?

Organic cotton fabric reflects, in every respect, a high level of consciousness. Even those who are not spiritually inclined will often comment on the 'energy' of the fabric.
This is an indication of the life-force attracted into the growing of the cotton, and of the care that has been taken at every stage of making and presentation.
Yes, you will notice the difference and after wearing it, you will very likely insist upon it.

Is your packaging environmentally responsible?

All underwear is packed into cellophane bags which protect them from moisture and dust. We also use cellophane packaging for most of our other products. Cellophane is a natural polymer made from cellulose, a component of trees and plants. Natural cellophane can be composted. Occasionally you may receive a garment which is packaged in plastic - this will usually be an item which was already packaged in plastic by the manufacturer and was distributed to us that way. Some of the plastic bags used are made from water soluble plastic or are recycled. Blessed Earth is trying to completely eliminate the use of plastic for packaging and will increasingly seek to pursuade manufacturers to use alternative, more environmentally-friendly methods of packaging. Occasionally you may receive a garment which is packaged in water soluble plastic or a recycled plastic bag. Blessed Earth currently uses an assortment of mediums for postage of items, these include Australia Post bags and boxes and recycled cardboard boxes.  We use recycled paper in our office for printing order forms, invoices, etc. Our catalogues, envelopes and business cards are made from 100% recycled paper.

 


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