Bamboo:
What makes bamboo fabric so special?
There are many benefits to using bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, with some varieties growing up to two feet per day. It is cultivated without the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and is extremely breathable with superior moisture-absorbing capabilities. Bamboo fabric absorbs up to 60% more moisture than cotton, weight for weight, and does not irritate the skin. But most surprising is that bamboo is naturally antibacterial- making it a fantastic option for diapers and family products.
Why do some bamboo diapers claim to be antibacterial while others don’t?
The Canadian government has finally begun to regulate the many claims made by companies with bamboo products, in order to protect consumers from the wealth of MIS-information out there. As of 2009, no manufacturer or retailer can claim that their product is antibacterial without proof to back up their claims.
We claim with confidence that our Bumboo diapers are antibacterial because we have our fabric privately and independently tested. Our test parameters include testing at the yarn stage, unwashed but woven stage, and then again after 50 washes with warm water and detergent. At each stage, we tested the fabric for 3 types of bacteria that are commonly found in fecal matter and urine. At the yarn stage, tests showed a bacteria kill-rate of over 98%; after 50 washes, our fabric was found to still maintain a bacteria kill rate of over 88%. These numbers are significantly higher than diapers made from a bamboo/ polyester fabric, as the polyester works against the bamboo’s antibacterial capabilities. In bamboo/ cotton fiber blends, the bamboo is often so diluted, comprising 70% or less of the fabric, that the bacterial kill rate is too low for the fabric to be considered antibacterial.
Why use silk with Bumboo diapers?
Bamboo, when woven into fabric, can often lose strength. To enhance its durability, it is often mixed with polyester during the weaving process. At ‘Earth, mom and baby,’ we looked for a greener solution. After much research and testing, we finally discovered that silk threads are the perfect solution to this problem. By weaving bamboo fibres onto a bed of silk, the fabric becomes strong enough to be used as a diaper- and survive hundreds of washings- without polyester.
Is silk a green fabric?
There are many reasons to consider silk a green fabric. It is renewable; it uses fewer fertilizers and chemicals during the production process than cotton, and, every year, it is getting better. The silk we use in our diapers is formaldehyde-free. It is biodegradable; it can easily be composted after its useful life, unlike petroleum based textiles that will spend 500 years in a landfill.
Is Bamboo Fabric Organic?
Although the bamboo used to make fabric may be grown using organic and sustainable methods, bamboo fabric itself can not be considered organic. There are 2 processes that can convert bamboo pulp into weavable threads; these are the rayon process and the viscose process. Both of these processes can use a variety of chemicals to produce threads, and therefore can never be considered organic. According to Canadian labeling laws, all bamboo garments must identify the process used on the label.
That being said, not all viscose and rayon processes are the same. At Earth, Mom and Baby we tried very hard to minimize the amounts and variety of chemicals used to create our fabric. Harsh chemicals actually break down the natural antibacterial goodness of bamboo, so one way to judge the eco-friendliness of the process used is to test the end-products for antibacterial effectiveness. As we mentioned above, our Bumboo diapers are privately and independently tested, and are proven to maintain these properties.
Washing Instructions:
Bumboo:
Wash twice before use. We recommend washing in the machine with warm water, and then hang to dry. Hang drying preserves the antibacterial characteristics of the bamboo fabric. As with all fabrics, tumble drying puts extra strain on the materials, and may cause them to wear out faster. Please note: washing with hot water and hot dryer cycles will not affect the function of the diaper; it will still be very absorbent, soft, and wonderful for many years!
Panda Pocket and Nursing Top:
Wash before wear. Wash with like colours with cold or warm water. For best results, and to preserve the antibacterial nature of the fabric, hang to dry. Some minor shrinking may occur with tumble drying.
Shipping, Cancellations and Returns:
When will my order be shipped/ delivered?
All in-stock items are shipped within 1-3 business days of receiving payment. Delivery in Canada usually takes place within 1-3 business days after leaving our inventory. Delivery times to addresses in the US cannot be guaranteed, but usually take place within 2 weeks of the order leaving our warehouse in Canada. It may take up to 6 weeks. For most orders to the US, custom duties and taxes do not apply, but should it be deemed that duties need to be paid, customs duties and fees will be the responsibility of the purchaser.
How are shipping charges calculated?
We are pleased to offer $5 flat rate shipping per transaction for all US and Canadian orders!
Do you ship internationally?
Most of our items can be shipped internationally, to most countries, but with some restrictions. Please contact us directly to place your order. Customs duties and fees will be the responsibility of the purchaser. Purchases outside of Canada and the US do not qualify for our flat-rate shipping fee; please contact us for a shipping quote.
Can I cancel my order?
Orders that have not been shipped can be cancelled at no charge to you; but remember, our orders are usually shipped within one business day. Orders that have already shipped will be subject to a 5% restocking fee, and refunds can only be issued after the item has been successfully delivered back to us. If the item has shipped, the shipping charges cannot be refunded.
Can I return or exchange an item?
At Earth, mom and baby, we do our best to provide you with exceptional service and products, and we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. You can return your order for a full refund less actual shipping costs and restocking fee up to 14 days after receiving it. After 14 days, we are happy to provide you with an in-store credit only.
All items to be returned must be unused, unwashed, and with all the original tags and packaging. Unfortunately, we are unable to take back any products that have been used in any way. To return your order, contact our customer service department to get your unique return confirmation code. Once the items have been received by us, and are confirmed to meet the returns criteria, you will be refunding via the same method of payment used to purchase your items.
If we make a mistake with your order, we will happily send you the correct items, and return the incorrect items, and cover all additional shipping and handling fees. First contact us to receive your return confirmation code, as well as a pre-paid shipping label. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we will remedy the error with as little inconvenience to you as possible.
Product Guarantee
At ‘Earth, mom and baby,’ we take responsibility for the quality of all of our products. If you receive a product that is defective, contact us as soon as possible and we can send you a replacement. We guarantee our products to be free of manufacturers defects for one year.
Payment Options
We are happy to accept:
Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) processed by PayPal through our website
Debit cards processed through PayPal through our website
Payment by phone (Visa, Mastercard). Just send us your number and we will call you at the time of your choosing
PayPal Account
Cash (for face-to-face transactions only; do not mail cash)
Money orders and personal cheque (orders will ship after confirmation of cleared payment from bank)
E-mail money transfer sent to info@earthmomandbaby.com
On our website transactions are processed with Paypal. You don’t need a Paypal account to checkout. The process is simple; when you are ready to checkout, review your cart and submit your shipping details. Once that is completed, you will see a button marked ‘make purchase.’ This will take you to the Paypal website. If you have a Paypal account, you can sign in. If you don’t have a Paypal account, click on the ‘continue’ button on the left and follow the prompts. Here is a screen shot:
Wholesale and Retailers
Do you have your own website or retail outlet and want to carry our products? Become one of our retailers! Our retailers recieve a lot of perks, including great margins on wholesale pricing, cross promotions, free advertising on our website and so much more. Fill out our Retailer Application Form, or contact Katherine at info@earthmomandbaby.com for more information.
