Toxic Free Living

Blessed Earth has always and continues to be dedicated to creating products for the enhancement of life and the well being of people and the environment. The two are mutually inclusive.

Our products are not only certified but created with ethically conscious people.

We endeavour to provide the opportunity for people to choose toxic free living.   This has meant we have pioneered and recently Trademarked many of the products which are available to you now in these areas.

• Carpets (wall to wall / underlay)
• Rugs (custom designs available)
• Furniture (beds /tables / sofa lounges/kitchen islands)
• Bedding (Mattresses /Quilts/Pillows/Toppers)
• Bed Linen (Baby bedding / adults /custom)
• Clothing (Baby, Children, Adults)
• School uniforms
• Hand loom woven Wash Cloths
• Terry Towels
• French Towels (Hand Loom woven Natural Towels)
• Blankets

 

Many of these products can be viewed and ordered at www.blessedearth.com.au or at either of our stores in Maleny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOOL BEDDING

At Blessed Earth we manufacture in Australia a wide range of organic wool products, including mattresses, toppers, quilts and pillows.

Our aim is to offer you the healthiest and most environmentally-responsible wool bedding products on the Australian market.

While most manufacturers use any cheap wool and hold it together with resin, we insist on the finest White Suffolk fleece wool, the ultimate in comfort and long performance life.

The unique qualities of Blessed Earth wool bedding products:

• Purity – Most of what bedding manufacturers call “wool”, which they use as a layer over latex or polyurethane foam, actually contains between 10% and 90% Dakron. It can also be held together by a synthetic resin. This resin is quite toxic and with usage and bodily heat, the resinous fibres tend to crumble, creating lumpiness and loss of product integrity. We use only stud "White Suffolk" fleeces.

 

•  House dust mites don't like wool- This is great news for allergy sufferers. The lanoline in wool is a natural deterrent and with no crumbling resinous fibres, there is nowhere for dust mites to set up camp.

 

• Excellent heat regulator - People often associate wool with warmth and even overheating. This may be true of cheaper, resinous or Dacron/wool blend products but not of pure fleece wool, which allows air to flow naturally and is an excellent insulator. Cool in summer, warm in winter...

 

• Fire resistant - Wool is difficult to ignite and does not char or melt.

 

• Excellent wicking qualities - Wool can absorb bodily moisture up to 30% of it's own weight and dissipate it naturally into the atmosphere. Your Blessed Earth wool product will do this indefinitely as long as you keep it well ventilated.

 

• They breathe - The carded wool is very porous, enabling air to circulate through the mattress, keeping you dry and healthy.
• Purifier - According to an excellent article on the CSIRO website, wool filters volatile organic compounds (VOC's) such as Formaldehyde from the atmosphere.

 

• Bio-degradable - When you're finally finished with your B.E. wool product, you can use it on the compost heap!

 

• Resilience - The wool used in Blessed Earth wool products is specially selected for it's resilience - also known as "loft" or "bounce". This quality is especially important for pillows and will guarantee your bedding product's maximum performance and life.

 

• Scouring - A note about scouring: Scouring is the process by which wool is cleaned. The conventional process is to "carbonise" it using sulphuric acid, which dissolves all vegetable matter that might be contained in the wool. Obviously, we refuse to use that process and as a consequence there may be occasional impurities in the wool. which can show through the cover. Similarly, the covers on all our wool bedding products are unbleached organic cotton. Consequently there can be the occasional slight mark on the product which would normally be bleached out in a conventional product. Please regard these as beauty spots - further evidence of the purity of the product you are buying.

 

We have taken every conceivable measure to ensure that the bedding product you purchase is completely pure, environmentally responsible, and supremely comfortable. In fact, it is the finest range of it’s kind in the world. Wool that has not been carbonised (cleaned with sulphuric acid) tends to retain some residual lanolin odour. Most people find it endearing, some others may not. You are welcome to return your unused wool item but [please understand that if the lanolin odour is no stronger than the rest of our stock - and we send out thousands of items - you will be required to pay the return freight. Once a bedding product has been used it can only be returned in the case of faulty workmanship.

 

The Blessed Earth wool mattress has been developed as a natural, healthy sleeping surface.

As all mattresses are tailor-made we can make any size you want, however standard sizes are: Single 93cm x 193cm; King Single 107cm x 203cm; Double 140cm x 193cm; Queen 153cm x 203cm; King 183cm x 203cm

They are made without metal springs, which create a harsh energy and an electromagnetic field that can interfere with our health and sleep patterns. Much has been written lately about the hazards of electro-magnetic radiation from power-lines; mobile towers and the phones themselves; and about the way metal springs in mattresses become virtual antennae which amplify the electricity within the home. As with most of these things, there are those who ridicule the idea and there are those who accept it as a matter of common-sense. It requires sophisticated equipment to measure these fields.

1. Douglas Fields, Ph. D, writes in Scientific American: “As we sleep on our coil-spring mattresses, we are in effect sleeping on an antenna that amplifies the intensity of the broadcast FM/TV radiation. Asleep on these antennas, our bodies are exposed to the amplified electromagnetic radiation for a third of our life spans. As we slumber on a metal coil-spring mattress, a wave of electromagnetic radiation envelops our bodies so that the maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress in the middle of our bodies. The author notes that the rate of breast cancer in Japan is a lot lower than in the west, and attributes this to the fact that they do not sleep on (spring) mattresses, and their TVs operate on a different frequency”.

Please refer to Dr Mercola's article on the subject.

Each Blessed Earth mattress is a hand-made masterpiece, meticulously constructed from organically scoured wool filling and certified organic Denim exterior. It does not feel like a conventional innerspring mattress and offers a degree of softness without bounce, thereby minimising partner disturbance.

We are often asked about the choice between a standard and a thick mattress. Most people buy a thick mattress as, if used by adults, it will be a better mattress in 10 or 20 years. Possible reasons for a standard mattress are:

• The person using the mattress is very light. The mattress could be for a small child who is not likely to become a large child.
• Perhaps the user is a light adult sleeping alone.
• Quite often people wanting a mattress for a caravan or mobile home will get a standard. It is easier to get out for occasional airing and there may be space restrictions.

The other main question is: “Do I need a topper”.

Once again, 85% of our customers buy a topper for additional comfort, however if you like a firm mattress you won't need one. You may still decide to buy one as the topper is easier to air than a mattress. Airing is good for your mattress however don’t be alarmed if your busy lifestyle or frailty prevents you from doing so. Dr. Mercola airs his wool mattress every 6 months or so.

Very occsasionally a customer will find the mattress too firm, even with a topper. If you are finding the mattress with topper too firm please call the helpful staff at BE to discuss solutions best suited to you.

A small child doesn’t need a topper – however we have found on countless occasions in our showroom that kids love the feel of the mattress but they love it even more when we put the topper on.

Conventional mattresses are highly engineered to hold their shape with the help of metal and synthetic materials. It would be unrealistic to expect a wool fibre mattress to do that.

The wool mattress will wear differently than a conventional mattress. It will tend to settle early, then stabilise. If you find the settling uncomfortable, on ours or any other mattress, you might consider a filler pad. This goes underneath the topper. If you have bought one of our mattresses, we sell them to you for just $70 + $10 postage.

Thousands of customers love their mattress after years of use. Occasionally, a customer will find the settling uncomfortable. Select carefully - settling of your wool mattress is not a fault; it is to be expected. If you find it uncomfortable after adding more layers of wool through filler pads or a topper, it may be that this type of mattress is not for you.

Blessed Earth’s Mattress Wool

When we first started making wool mattresses over 10 years ago, we had the luxury of a stockpile of Demeter certified wool which we made into mattresses, toppers, quilts and pillows. The whole product range was Demeter certified; a world first for wool bedding. Due to a technicality, the product itself is no longer certified. In fact, the growth in demand for mattresses and reduced supply has meant that we no longer have enough organic wool for our mattress requirements.

Until we can source new certified growers, we will give preference to growers who:

• Are known to care for their flocks as though they are organic, as is the case with most small growers.
• Follow organic practices but cannot afford certification. We have one grower who lost certification on a technicality.

 

Wool Quality:  The quality of the wool is of paramount importance in the making of a futon mattress, or any wool bedding product for that matter. It has to be Downs wool, so called because the sheep originated from the Downs region of England.  They are nuggetty sheep and grow wool that has a high micron count (it is coarse) with a natural crimp, which makes the wool springy. This is called “loft” and the greater the loft of the wool, the greater the support the mattress will provide. A lot of the so-called Downs wool on the market has been cross-bred with other varieties and does not have the necessary loft. We learnt this the hard way!!! The wool we use is exclusively pure bred and is of exceptional quality. This product is proudly made in Australia and is certified by WOOLMARK. It carries a 5 year workmanship guarantee, the maximum allowable by WOOLMARK.

 

Slat base:  We recommend a slat base and, if possible, occasional airing in sunshine for softness and hygiene. As a convenience to our customers, we can often offer a basic, inexpensive bed base made from natural, kiln-dried Baltic and other pines. They come in an easy to assemble kit and are very sturdy.

One of the great features of your wool mattress is that it breathes, better than any other fibre, keeping you dry and healthy. While a slat base makes best use of this quality, it is not absolutely essential. The mattress will perform even on a conventional ensemble base, however you might not get the full benefit of the mattress's ability to breathe. Keeping your mattress dry:  Wool mattresses, just like their cotton counterparts, need to be kept dry. For this reason we recommend regular airing. There is no hard and fast rule on this and it comes back to using common-sense. A lot depends on the climate you live in, how much air and sunlight the room gets, etc. In a dry climate and well ventilated room, the mattress probably doesn’t need to be taken out at all. However if there is any surface dust mite activity, sunlight will kill it and generally freshens the mattress. If you are not able to air the mattress on a regular basis by putting it in the sun, we recommend you purchase a topper which is light and easily aired. Your mattress is an important investment and when managed properly, will give many years of wonderful service. Using a topper, while by no means essential, will further extend the life of your mattress. 

 

Some thoughts on mould: We use no anti-mould treatments on our mattresses and the possibility is always there, though very rare, that some surface mould can appear in the cotton cover. The number of reports we have had of this happening is less than 1% of the total number of mattresses we have sold and is invariably due to neglect. Surface mould can be easily treated by sponging with a natural anti-mould solution and thoroughly drying the area with a hair dryer and sunlight. Wool itself does not absorb moisture, even though one of its greatest qualities is its ability to wick moisture away from the body. In the unlikely event of a problem occurring, usually only the cotton cover will be effected. In the few cases reported to us, it does appear that a candida-like condition in the sleeper can contribute, as can a varnish on the wooden slats. If your bed has varnished wooden slats, we recommend you place a fabric layer between the slats and the mattress. In fact, if there is mould in your environment it may pay to put a cover over the slats even if they are raw wood. This will help the mattress to breathe where it contacts the slats. Cotton and polyester will absorb moisture and not dissipate it as wool will and this can lead to a bacterial condition inside mattress using those materials. Anyone who has done bush-walking will know not to wear cotton or synthetic socks for that reason. We would never recommend any synthetic fabric under any circumstances. Cotton is a wonderful material, as long as it can be washed, however it cannot be washed inside a mattress. Wool is a self-cleansing material inside a mattress and as long as common-sense maintenance is observed there will be no issue with mould.

 

Construction:  Our mattresses are individually hand made to order, using only the finest, most sustainable materials available, without compromise. The covering material is a tightly woven, undyed certified organic cotton fabric, especially selected for its durability and softness. 

The key to the long term comfort of a wool futon mattress lies in the tensioning of the tufting; that is, the process of tying the two sides together with a cord and “buttons”, which prevent tearing of the outer fabric. A queen futon, for example, requires 59 individual tuftings. For that we use a heavy duty cotton cord, rather than nylon, and hand-made fleece buttons that have been scoured to “eco” specifications. These buttons cannot be felt when you are lying on them and do not protrude as normal buttons can. The wool we use has great resilience when carded. We make a point of showing customers who come to our store how when you make a ball of it in your closed fist and the open your fist, the wool will fly out of your hand.  Your mattress will tend to settle then stabilise. By settling we mean that the puffy areas between the fleece buttons will reduce in size slightly but never down to the height of the buttons. The American “FutonLife” magazine offers the following appraisal of the genuine all-wool futon:  “If you have ever heard the expression “sleeping on a cloud,” and you wanted to actually feel that sensation, then the all-wool futon is for you. Wool is extremely resilient and therefore provides great support. Wool is also a naturally flame retardant fibre….  Permanently crimped wool is available, and several products have been given the endorsement by the Wool Bureau to use the “Wool Mark,” the officially licensed logo, designating that the product has passed a battery of tests concerning the quality of the fibres as well as the level of fibre migration through the ticking material.  The cost of wool is high but the quality of the finished product makes it a viable and superior alternative to other materials.” We are happy to report that the Blessed Earth Futon mattress does in fact carry the highly regarded Australian Woolmark seal of approval and the crimped wool spoken of in this excerpt is the stud Suffolk and Dorset wool we use exclusively in our bedding products.  Why a Metal Mattress or Bed May be Particularly Dangerous

The vast majority of beds (90-95 percent) contain metal springs and/or frames. Unfortunately, these metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth’s natural magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep along with a range of other symptoms including:   Headaches, Hyperactivity, Nightmares, Depression and Fatigue, Eyestrain and Muscle cramps.

Avoiding EMF Exposure is Very Important for Pregnant Women and Babies

If you have a baby, it is especially important for you to use a non-metallic bed for your baby, as their immature bodies are even more susceptible to EMF damage. A safer alternative is a wooden basinet or wooden crib, as opposed to metal varieties.

Further, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD performed a small study showing that autism can actually be predicted based on the EMF levels of your sleeping quarters while pregnant!

He found that if you sleep in strong electromagnetic fields during pregnancy, your child will likely begin to exhibit neurological abnormalities within the first two years of life, such as: Neurological dysfunction, Hyperactivity and Learning disorders

Could This Simply Be the Best Bedding?

As was the case when we first introduced you to our wool bedding a few years ago, we still advise wool as your best possible choice for a mattress.

 

Blessed Earth believe it can enhance your overall sleep experience, as outlined below.

Feature	Benefit
Resists mold and mildew	Breathability of wool helps wick away moisture and keeps it dry.
Promotes thermo-regulation	Wool fibers keep a pocket of air close to your body while you sleep. This helps regulate your body temperature by insulating you when it's cold and breathing when it's warm.
Helps resist and reduce dust mites	Prevents dust mites from thriving in your bed.
Is inherently hypoallergenic	Perfect if you have sensitive skin.
Promotes breathability	Wool's ability to breathe is a key advantage over other bedding choices for sleep and body temperature comfort.
Provides superior resilience	Should hold its crimp and loft longer than most other fillings for added comfort.
Uses a sustainable resource	Unlike down, wool comes from sheep which aren't sacrificed for the sake of your bedding comfort.
Avoids the use of synthetic materials	100% handpicked wool bedding is not treated with harsh chemicals.
Resists fire without added chemicals	Wool is a natural flame-retardant and doesn't require synthetic chemicals to pass the US CPSC mattress standard.

But I don't recommend rushing out to purchase any wool bedding without closely scrutinizing the details.

There's More to Wool Bedding Than Meets the Eye

What's the big deal about being so selective about purchasing wool bedding? Just like any bedding, there are good wool options to choose from and not-so-good ones. Here's a quick checklist my research team used when narrowing down the specific wool mattress to be offered on the site. Make sure the wool…

• Is 100% handpicked virgin wool– Why settle for anything but the best when it comes to wool bedding?    Blessed Earth wool is the very finest on the market
• Has NOTbeen treated with any risky synthetics or chemicals – Believe it or not, some wool bedding has been treated with questionable chemicals.    We use no chemicals
• Utilizes a completely natural cleansing process without carbonization– Carbonization uses sulfuric acid in the wool cleansing process, which can potentially cause issues if you have skin sensitivities.
• Retains its natural lanolin oil– Certain cleansing processes, like carbonization, can reduce this oil which gives wool its soft and supple feel.    Our wool has not been carbonised
• Uses "hand tufting" instead of a machine process– Tufting is a way of anchoring the wool together in the mattress. Hand-tufting can make the wool fluffier and create a more comfortable mattress.    Our mattresses are hand-made. Each tuft is individually tensioned using 100% cotton cord.

Since we believe it's important for longevity purposes to flip your mattress every 6 months (twice a year) or so, we recommend you avoid any wool mattress that comes with pillow tops. Pillow top mattresses include an extra layer of pillow-like padding sewn onto the top of the mattress making it impractical to flip this mattress. However, the mattress is firm, so if you would like some additional padding, we recommend our Organic Wool Topper.

Woolmark Report

This report comes from the WOOLMARK website

Today the bedroom is much more than a place for sleeping. It is a quiet haven, a retreat from the stresses of day-to-day life. Wool bedding provides the perfect mix of strength and softness that gives powerful feelings of safety, security and comfort – and most importantly a great night’s sleep.

SLEEP BETTER WITH WOOL

Science is showing that sleeping with wool adds to a good night’s sleep.

The Woolmark Company is currently funding sleep research studies with three organisations: University of Sydney, RMIT University and the Norwegian Institute of Consumer Research (SIFO).

The Woolmark Company-funded research at the University of Sydney has found that sleeping in wool apparel can promote the ease of falling asleep and enhance deep sleep.

Work at RMIT University utilises a life-sized manikin (named ‘Newton’) to compare the insulation properties of wool and polyester filled doonas.

Preliminary results indicate a distinct difference in microclimate humidity within the bed, with wool moderating both the humidity peaks and troughs and consequently providing a more stable environment for sleeping.

The Woolmark Company-funded study at SIFO involves market research to gain an overview of barriers that need to be overcome to increase the adoption of wool as a bed-textile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COTTON BEDDING

 

All Blessed Earth sheets, covers and protectors are fully certified by Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). This is your guarantee of purity. Blessed Earth offers what is generally acknowledged to be the finest variety of certified organic cotton bed-linen in the world - all of it at wholesale direct to you prices.

Any dyes used are certified organic, which means no heavy metals are used in the manufacture of the dyes. They are relatively safe and this adds significantly to the cost of our bed-linen. However, if you have severe chemical sensitivities it’s better to stay with natural undyed fabric.

Our cotton is harvested, cleaned, spun, woven into fabric, them made into beautifully styled bed-linen all within a tight radius in central India.  It is easy to claim that something is organic or made from organic cotton etc and there are no penalties for falsification. To have a bed-linen product fully certified by GOTS requires a great deal of determined and well-intended effort.

We are indebted to Go Green Textiles, who refer to themselves as Blessed Earth’s factory, for their unwavering commitment to sustainable practices such as solar power and an organic farm that supplies fresh Gir milk and produce to their workers daily. Our factory is  RUN on Solar Power and hand screen prints the products with AZO free water based Pigment colours, which do not require any washing and does not create any wastage. 

Sustainability

The cotton it is made from is grown in a sustainable community of 300 families near Indore in Central India. Cows are raised for dairy products and their manure is used to generate bio-gas for cooking and lighting before going into the compost which uses Bio-Dynamic preparations. The community relies on Monsoonal rains and utilizes the ancient practice of Agni-Hotra to further energise the growing area. Every part of the cotton crop is important. The twigs of the bush are used for lighting fires, the leaves go into the compost. Mechanical traps are set for the insects that predate on the crop. The cotton bolls are handpicked at their maturity up to 5 times a season. This is in stark contrast to the western practice of machine harvesting once a year.

Certified Organic

The cotton is spun in a mill devoted exclusively to Certified Organic Cotton and manufactured under Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) supervision in an ultra-modern weaving mill. Our factory nearby is also fully GOTS certified. Any dyes used are certified organic by GOTS.

Fair Trade Practices

Our cotton workers are respected and well looked after. A special school has been set up exclusively for the benefit of their children. The Swayam Academy not only features a state of the art education facility but also teaches Yoga, Meditation and other extra-curricular activities that will enrich their lives.

Low Carbon Miles

 All of the growing; processing and manufacturing takes place within a very tight radius. There has been no organic cotton grown in Australia for 10 years now and that is probably as it should be. In the absence of monsoonal rains, it takes a lot of maintenance effort and water to grow a cotton crop organically. The villagers in our community love their work and their lives in making the considerable effort that goes into the clothing you get to buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COTTON CLOTHING

 

 

Why Choose Organic Cotton

 

While some critics argue that they don’t need to wear organic cotton because “I’m not going to eat my shirt!”. At Blessed Earth we say there are eight reasons why people should use it.

• QUALITY

Organic cotton is more durable than its conventional counterpart because of the wide variety of chemicals used in the growing and processing of conventional cotton (about 82 of them) which weaken the structure of the fibre and eventual fabric.

• COMFORT

Consumers consistently report that organic cotton products feel better against their skin.

• WELLBEING

Chemicals are harmful and have contributed to the escalation of degenerative diseases in our society. They are absorbed through our skin and lungs, especially when body heat causes them to vaporize. Many of the chemicals used in growing, processing and dyeing of conventional cotton and its products never completely wash out. Therefore, they can enter our bodies through the skin. To test this, rub some fresh garlic on your heel and about 30 minutes later you will be able to smell garlic on your breath!

• AROMA

Being free of additive substances such as formaldehyde, commonly used in the “finishing” of conventional cotton, organic cotton has a natural aroma and is naturally softer and more durable than its chemical counterparts whose fibres are weakened by the harsh chemical treatments. That ‘new’ smell when goods are first purchased is usually the aroma of chemicals that have been used in the article’s production.

• ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE

Conventionally farmed cotton is harmful to the environment, using numerous poisons which pollute soils and waterways - and the farm worker. Vast amounts of water, much of it needed to distribute chemical sprays, are consumed to produce the crops. Organically farmed cotton is gentler on the environment, and uses biologically-based growing systems. It is usually hand-picked without the use of defoliants, machinery or chemicals.

• SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE

Every time we purchase a cheap imported conventional cotton product, we support the mindless practices that helped produce it. Every time we purchase an organic product, we affirm conscious, life-enhancing practices – we are helping to build a better world.

• FAIR TRADE

It takes a lot of well intended effort to grow cotton organically. Around the world, the experience is that organic farmers care for their workers by providing a chemical free working environment. The cotton we purchase from Egypt is Fairtrade certified and certification is being applied for the cotton from Turkey and India.

• NOT GENETICALLY MODIFIED

While some 70% of the world’s cotton is now genetically modifed, certified organic cotton is not.

Our factory is  RUN on Solar Power and hand screen prints the products with AZO free water based Pigment colours, which do not require any washing and does not create any wastage. 

What Does Organic Cotton Cost?

Organic cotton products cannot compete on price with mass-produced items from China. You can buy a pack of five underpants from the supermarket for less than it costs Blessed Earth just in material and labour for a single pair of our underpants, however, to the aware consumer there is no real comparison. One product is saturated with dyes and other chemicals and is mass produced under exploitative conditions. The other is individually made from lovingly grown, hand-picked cotton. One product is made to a price for an unaware market; the other is made with integrity, offering genuine value to an aware consumer.

 

Organic Cotton Schoolwear

 

It is true that there is not enough cotton grown on this planet to clothe all of its people.

It is also true that the synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon that have been developed as substitutes for cotton are unhealthy for the consumer. Actually they are potentially carcinogenic.

The human body resonates easily with natural fibres such as cotton wool and silk. Even then, when chemicals are introduced into the growing and processing of those fibres, our bodies react and we can become quite ill. The chemical Formaldehyde has received a lot of publicity lately and there are many others.

Our skin is like a giant sponge for substances placed on it. When toxins are absorbed through your skin, they are taken-up by the lymphatic system, then into the blood stream and eventually the liver—the chemical-processing plant of the body responsible for removing toxins. By that stage the damage is done. It would be safer to ingest the chemicals.

When it comes to our children, we owe it to them to clothe them in natural, chemical-free clothing. Anything less and we are compromising their health and well-being.

Unfortunately, school uniforms have degenerated into the “necessary evil” category for most parents, who in all fairness are probably unaware of the harm caused by synthetic materials and chemicals, so they shop on price. Our children are being clothed in plastic and it’s harming them.

There are myriad references to this on-line. Here are just a few references:

http://bodyecology.com/articles/top_6_fabrics_you_should_avoid_wearing.php

https://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/polyester-and-our-health/

http://www.cancerdefeated.com/newsletters/The-Clothes-that-Kill-You-Slowly-but-Surely.html

http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/Allergies-Asthma/Consumers-Beware-Toxins-Lurking-in-Your-Clothing.html

 

What about Fair Trade?

It needs to be understood that fair trade bodies are interested in getting a fair return for the growers. We support that. We were once a fully-fledged member of Fairtrade and our manufacturing arm, Go Green Textiles of India, has recently applied for membership, even though the social accountability standards of organic certification are way more stringent than those of Fairtrade.

However Fairtrade has nothing to do with organics. The chemicals required to grow conventional cotton are the reason for the high mortality in that industry and the same goes for the processing industry, Even those working in Manchester retail have been known to become chronically ill through persistent exposure.

We should never dress our children in either synthetic materials like polyester, which is actually plastic, or even conventional cotton.

Certified organic clothing is the only real answer for caring parents who can afford to pay a little more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARPETS AND RUGS

A Healthy and Environmentally Sound Choice

 

Carpet Keeps Allergens Out of the Air

There is a misconception that asthma and allergy sufferers should avoid carpet. In fact, the opposite is true. Studies have shown that carpet actually improves indoor air quality. It acts like a trap, keeping dust and allergens out of the air we breathe. Simply put, what falls to the carpet (dust, pet dander and many other particles) tends to stay trapped until it is removed through vacuuming or extraction cleaning. Smooth floor surfaces allow dust and other allergens to re-circulate into the breathing zone. 

The Lowest Emitter of VOCs

Carpet has the lowest volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions of common flooring choices. In fact, it’s one of the lowest emitting products used in new construction and renovation. What VOCs new carpet emits are short-lived and largely dissipate within 24 to 48 hours – even faster with fresh air ventilation.

CRI’s Green Label Plus standards, which have been adopted across the industry, serve as the benchmark for low VOC emissions. The Green Label Plus symbol indicates:

• The manufacturer voluntarily participates in the program.
• The manufacturer is committed to developing ways to minimize any adverse effects on indoor air quality.
• A representative sample of the product type is tested by an independent laboratory and meets the established emissions requirements.

 

Carpet Puts You On Safer Ground

Carpets and rugs provide better traction than other flooring options, preventing falls. This is true everywhere, but even more important in areas where there is a lot of rain and snow. And when falls do happen, the softer surface reduces their impact. Whether you are in a business, school or hospital, fewer falls and less severe injuries are one more reason carpet is a choice you can feel good about.

Less Noise, More Productivity

Carpet is significantly more efficient at reducing noise, compared with other flooring. So everyone from employees to students gets a quieter, less distracting environment where they hear more, concentrate better and perform their best.

 SELECTIONS….

Our rugs and wall-to-wall carpets are all hand made in traditional methods from certified organic cotton, wool or silk.

Each method and raw material has its own advantages and applications, which can determine your final selection.

Construction Methods

 Flatweave

Flatweave rugs and carpets are created on a loom by interlocking warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads to create a flat, thin rug. They have been handmade same-way since 5,000 years, beginning with cotton in Southern India and then with wool.

They offer a less formal but very versatile floor covering. They are relatively affordable and come in a variety of colours. They can even be tie-dyed. The additional beauty of these rugs is that they are fully reversible.

They are easy to maintain and are ideal for allergy sufferers as they collect less dust. Wiping away a spill is much easier with a flat-weave rug. Though not as soft other rug types, a flat-weave is often used in nurseries and playrooms because toys and furniture can slide easily across.

Handtufted

To create a handtufted rug, the pattern is drawn onto a base cloth. One continuous piece of yarn in the desired color is then punched through the base cloth with a special tool that creates loops on the reverse side. The back of the rug is then coated with latex and fabric (usually cotton) to form the backing and lock the tufts into place. The loops can either be left or cut to make tufts—or create a pattern using both.

Shag

Shag rugs are hand-tufted or hand-knotted. Some shag rugs have an additional process called felting. Heat and pressure are applied to the larger tufts for a more compact bind. Felting will slightly reduce shedding in wool, but shedding will still continue over the life of the rug.

Handloom

Our handloom rugs are constructed on a handloom. Depending on the construction and type of fiber used, a variety of rug types can be created, such as flat-weave, loop-weave, or cut-pile (boucle) weave. These rugs may or may not have a backing depending on the weave and desired look. Handloom rugs require less time to produce than a handknotted or handtufted rug, and therefore generally will be less expensive. There are design limitations in this technique, as intricate patterns cannot be made in this technique.

HandKnotted

In handknotted rugs, each pile is tied and knotted individually by the craftsman using warp and weft construction on a warp mounted on loom. No additional backing is needed because each pile has already been secured by the knot. These rugs and carpets have longer life and are versatile in terms of usage of several colours and intricate patterns. They are generally washed and sheared to bring out the luster and softness of the fibers.

Rug Materials

 

Natural Fibre Rug

All of our natural fiber rugs are environmentally friendly products. Each fiber has special characteristics and qualities.

As you choose a rug, you’ll also want to find one with the material that best suits your space and lifestyle. We have rugs in a variety of high-quality yarns.

Wool

Natural wool rugs feel soft and plush to the touch. In wool rugs, the fibers of the tufts or knots are left long, and the wool is loosely twisted, giving the surface a full fiber appearance. Some shedding over the life of a wool rug is a natural characteristic, especially pure virgin wool made carpets.

Wool carpets and rugs can be used for the living room, bedroom and staircases. They are also used worldwide in hotels, restaurants, offices and other types of public spaces. Wool carpets provide a comfortable, reliable and even temperature under-foot all year round. Wool has natural noise absorbing properties which help reduce the stressful hum of everyday life. Wool’s natural crimp provides greater insulation, allowing wool carpets to protect you from temperature extremes. Each wool fibre has a three dimensional spiralling α-helix that gives it natural elasticity. This elasticity means a wool fibre can stretch up to 30% more than its original length and bounce back. For that reason wool carpets will increase the comfort of walking. In addition pressure marks left by furniture compression on wool carpets will restore by itself. Wool is also naturally easy to care for.

Wool carpet has naturally characteristics:

• Hard-wearing and long-lasting
• Retains its pile shape and height
• Recovers quickly from furniture compression
• Resists permanent markings
• Is flame (fire) resistant
• Resists dirt and stains, so is easy to care for
• Provides natural thermal and sound insulation
• Regulates air moisture content
• Absorbs contaminants in indoor air

 

Cotton

Cotton is hypoallergenic meaning it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. It is also good for asthmatics. The ends of cotton fibers are spun very tightly into the yarn so that the product doesn’t irritate skin or cause static electricity. Cotton is long lasting if well looked after. It is a good conductor of heat. In other words, it draws heat away from your skin to keep you cool, making it comfortable to wear. It absorbs moisture easily and can take up to one fifth of its weight in water before it actually feels damp.

Silk

Because of its natural protein structure, silk is the most hypoallergenic of all fabrics. It is warm and cozy in winter and comfortably cool when temperatures rise. Its natural temperature-regulating properties give silk this paradoxical ability to cool and warm simultaneously. Silk is highly absorbent and dries quickly. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. Silk will absorb perspiration while letting your skin breathe. In spite of its delicate appearance, silk is relatively robust and its smooth surface resists soil and odors well. While silk abrasion resistance is moderate, it is the strongest natural fiber and, surprisingly, it easily competes with steel yarn in tensile strength. Silk takes color well, washes easily, and is easy to work with in spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing. Silk mixes well with other animal and vegetable fibers.

 

Certification Details

The amount of cotton and cotton products on the world market that is claimed to be “organic” far outweighs the amount of cotton that is actually certified to be organic.

It has become fashionable to say that something has been made from organic cotton – fashionable and easy as there is no authority to enforce those claims.

Blessed Earth as a manufacturer and retailer is routinely inspected by the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute of Australia.

Similarly our manufacturers in India and Turkey are certified by Global Organic Textiles Standard, commonly referred to as GOTS. All of our cotton bedding, clothing and textile homewares products carry either the GOTS label. We only carry certified organic cotton. Unless it is certified, we are not interested.

The testing for certification is quite rigorous. Every step of the way, from seeds that are not genetically modified, to ginning (cleaning), to knitting or weaving, to dyeing and to the stitching of the end product, inspections are rigorously carried out to ensure that specified guidelines are being observed.

Any system is capable of being rorted so we regularly visit our overseas suppliers to see for ourselves that everything is in order. It takes a special consciousness to dedicate oneself to organic growing and production. We look for that in the people we deal with and they become our trading partners; heart-felt allies in offering top quality, chemical free products.

People often ask us if our imported goods are fumigated. We obtain a certificate that they will not be fumigated and even if they were inadvertently sprayed for any reason, we ensure they are hermetically sealed so there can be no possibility of contamination.

Please be discerning when you see “organic cotton”, or even “certified organic cotton”. Ask for proof. If you’re in a shop don’t expect the staff to know. Ask the owners of the business for proof, a GOTS certificate. Be aware that OKEO certification has nothing to do with the integral purity of what you are buying; it relates to manufacturing practices.

On most products bearing the GOTS claim, we will provide the certification certificate. Sometimes, for reasons of confidentiality, we withhold them. If we have not provided those details and it is important to you, please let us know. You will need to provide your name, address and phone number if we are to respond. We at Blessed Earth would love to see Australia as a discernment centre for organics. That starts with you, the consumer, asking questions and not being misled by unethical marketing practices.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR  FSC LATEX
SECTION 1 : COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Chemical Name	Concentrated Latex
Concentration (wt. %)	60% Dry Rubber Content
SECTION 2: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Skin Contact	Nil - Non Hazardous
Eye Contact	Nil - Non Hazardous
Inhalation	Nil - Non Hazardous
Chronic Effects	Nil - Non Hazardous
Primary Routes of Exposure	Nil - Non Hazardous
SECTION 3 : FIRST AID MEASURES
Skin Contact	Non Hazardous
Eye Contact	Non Hazardous
Inhalation	Non Hazardous
Ingestion	Non Hazardous
SECTION 4 : FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Flash Point	Not Applicable
Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)	Not Applicable
Autoignition Temperature	Not Applicable
Recommended Extinguishing Media	Not Applicable
Special Fire Fighting Procedures	Not Applicable
Unusual Fier or Explosion Hazards	Not Applicable
Hazardous Combustion Products	Not Applicable
SECTION 5 : ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Steps to take in case of leak or spill	Seal the container with adhesive tape
SECTION 6 : HANDLING AND STORAGE
Store under normal warehouseconditions.  Store in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
SECTION 7 : EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Eye Protection	Not necessary
Skin Protection	Not necessary
Respiratory Protection	Not necessary
Ventillation Requirements	Not necessary
SECTION 8 : PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical State	Liquid
Appearance	Milky White in colour
pH	10 to 11.5
Odour	Ammoniacal
Volatile Fatty Acid No.	< 0.03
Specific Gravity	0.9454
Solubility in water	Not Soluble in water
Total Solids Content	61.0% - 61.9%
Dry Rubber Content	60.0% - 60.1%
Non Rubber Content	< 1.90%
Ammonia%	0.70% - 0.80%
SECTION 9 : STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Mechanical Stability Time	> 500 sec
Unusual Fire or Explosion Hazards	Nil
Hazardous Decomposition Products	Nil
Hazardous Polymerisation	Nil
SECTION 10 : TOXOLOGICAL INFORMATION
	Non Toxic
SECTION 11 : ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecological Toxicity	Natural Product
SECTION 12 : DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
This product, if disposed as shipped, is not a hazardous waste.  Consult local officials for proper disposal methods.
SECTION 13 : TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Dot Hazard Class	Not Applicable
Dot Hazard Materials	Not Applicable
Emergency Response Guide Number	Not determined
Packing Group	Not determined
SECTION 14 : REGULATORY INFORMATION
Imidacloprid Technical CasNo	Natural Product ( N.A)
Component name	Natural Rubber
SECTION 15 : REGULATORY INFORMATION (Continued )
The following precautions apper in the	(N A)
PRECAUTIONS' Section of lable / leaflet
SECTION 16 :  DISCLAIMER
The Above infermation is intended  to  give  general  health  and  safety  guidance on the storge and transport of the  substance or  product  to  which  it relates. The  requirement or  recommendation  of any  relevant site or  product  shall  take  precedence  over any  of  the  guidance  contiained in  this safety  data  sheet  where there is a difference in the information given.The information provided in this safety data sheet is accurate at the date of publication as and when apporiate.

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Timber Furniture

 

All of our furniture is made from natural timber without using glues.

 Timbers are sourced from suppliers who identify environmental sustainability as a principle factor in any current or future operations in the forest products industry. Timbers are sourced principally from forests with international certification.

 All of  Tasmanian timber is from the sustainably-managed and PEFC certified temperate forests of the north-west region of the state.

 Timber is Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC-C113479) Chain of Custody certified for its range of imported timbers from Scientific Certification Systems - one of the world’s leading FSC^® certifiers.

Sustainability is also achieved through compliance with the provisions of the Forest Practices Code and the Tasmanian Forests Agreement (TFA). "Any customer buying products from Blessed Earth, can do so in the full confidence that it is produced in accordance with the TFA". 

Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC)

PEFC is the world's largest forest certification system whose standards seek to transform the way forests are managed globally (and locally) to ensure that all of us can enjoy the environmental, social and economic benefits that forests offer.  www.pefc.org

Australian Forestry Standard (AFS)

Promotes sustainable forest management in Australia's forests and is underpinned by the world's largest forest certification schemes, the European-based PEFC.  www.forestrystandard.org.au

Forest Stewardship Council Certification (FSC)

FSC Certification is a stakeholder-owned system for promoting responsible management of the world’s international forests. The FSC is a global, not-for-profit organisation that monitors standards for responsible forest management and practices and accredits independent third party organisations who certify forest managers and forest product producers to FSC standards.  www.fsc.org

Fine Timber Tasmania

Fine Timber Tasmania Chain of Custody is an innovative and credible program that guarantees the exotic Tasmanian timber has been legally sourced from a sustainably managed forest and represents a responsible purchase decision. Guaranteed.  www.chainofcustody.com.au

Centre for Sustainable Architecture With Wood (CSAW)

A multidisciplinary research and education group that aspires to be a national leader in sustainable architectural design and building with wood.  www.utas.edu.au/csaw

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA)

Directs investment into research and development projects that are vital to the expansion and innovation of forest and wood product-based industries.  www.fwpa.com.au

 

                                      

 

 

 

Healthy Homewares

 We carry a large selection of products including stoneware sinks and baths; cast iron cookware; pottery water purifiers and vertical gardens.