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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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