FAQ

WHAT DOES ORGANIC MEAN IN CLOTHING?

The term "organic" refers to the way the clothes are manufactured. Organic clothing is made from natural fibres grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals, meaning that no toxic chemicals or dyes are used in the production process. This means that they are safer for you to wear, and they are also better for the environment.

At Elves in the Wardrobe, we provide a wide range of organic products such as clothes, nappies, blankets and toys that all meet the "Global Organic Textile Standards" (GOTS). This ensures chemical-free, sustainable cotton growing, environmentally-friendly manufacturing techniques, plus fair, safe and ethical working conditions.

The dyes used in producing our organic cotton clothes are either water or plant-based.

WHY BUY SUSTAINABLE CLOTHES FOR KIDS?

Sustainable clothing is made of renewable materials, such as organic cotton or wool. This means that they have far less of an impact on the environment than conventional clothing.

Fast fashion production is devasting to the environment. Did you know 87% of the total fibre input used for industrial fashion is burned or thrown into landfills? Fast fashion clothing uses more than 8000 synthetic chemicals during production, and many of these chemicals are toxic or carcinogenic. Processes such as bleaching, dyeing and finishing all rely on toxic chemicals - some of which remain on the fabric in tiny amounts but are enough to cause a range of health issues.

Sustainable clothes will help create a cleaner, safer planet for our children and grandchildren. Furthermore, you’re choosing to provide fairer working conditions. After all, fast fashion employs millions of workers, often in developing countries. So, by buying eco-friendly products, you’ll contribute to better wages, better living conditions, and less exposure to dangerous chemicals.

 

 

IS 100% COTTON BETTER FOR BABIES?

Absolutely, cotton is a breathable material that allows your baby to stay cool and helps maintain their body temperature, thus preventing overheating in hot and humid weather conditions, which are all too familiar here in Australia.

Cotton absorbs moisture and dries very quickly, keeping your baby's gentle skin warm and dry.

Most babies will develop rashes, dry skin, or other skin conditions during their first few months. Any clothing that uses dyes, scents or soaps can be problematic, causing irritation and rashes. Therefore, 100% cotton is highly beneficial to sensitive skin or eczema because it doesn't irritate it as much as other materials.

At Elves in the Wardrobe, we provide 100% cotton baby organic clothes which meet the "Global Organic Textile Standards" (GOTS). As your little one starts to crawl and explore the world, you'll want to make sure they're wearing comfortable and safe clothes. Pure cotton is naturally hypoallergenic but incredibly soft because no chemical treatments are needed during production.

I AM UNSURE ABOUT SIZING. HOW DO I FIND THE CORRECT SIZE FOR MY CHILD OR MYSELF?

Most of our organic baby and kids clothes are made in Europe and have European sizes. The American, British and Australian sizes are based on the child's age, while in Europe, the size is based on the child's height in centimetres.

Once you have chosen your favourite style, click on the size selection and select your child's age. We have converted the European sizes already for you to take the stress out of finding the right size for your child.

You will also find a short note in the product description about the fit of each garment, as there can be variations in fit versus age. We try to help as much as we can, knowing that shopping for clothes online can be tricky as you or your child cannot try the clothes on before purchasing.

If you are still unsure about a particular style and size, or you find that your child is currently in between sizes, please don't hesitate to contact us to clarify what size would be most suitable for your child. We are always happy to help.

 

DO YOU ACCEPT RETURNS AND WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IF I WANT TO RETURN AN ITEM?

Here are Elves in the Wardrobe, we understand that online shopping is a different way of buying clothes for yourself and your family, and sometimes the purchased product is not quite right (fit, colour, pattern, shape or fabric).

If that is the case, we are happy to exchange or refund your order. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via our refund page or email to arrange the return with us. Please make sure to contact us within 10 days of receipt of your order.

Exchanges will happily be given if the item is unused and unworn, with all packaging and labels intact. As soon as the unwanted items have been returned to Elves in the Wardrobe, we will dispatch the new items to the customer.

Elves in the wardrobe will not charge postage to send new items to the customer. However, packaging and postage costs for returning unwanted items to us are to be paid by the customer. Sale items are not exchangeable or refundable.

DO ORGANIC COTTON CLOTHES SHRINK MORE THAN CONVENTIONAL CLOTHES AFTER THEIR FIRST WASH?

Most organic cotton clothes arrive in our shop 'pre-shrunk', meaning that the garments were already washed and ready for their first wear during the manufacturing process.

Usually, cotton can shrink around 5% and even more with up to 20% shrinkage when exposed to hot temperatures during a hot washing cycle or in the tumble dryer.

Natural cotton has a fantastic ability to retain water with up to 30 times its own weight and becomes more elastic and stretchier during this process. When hot temperatures and water retention are combined, the fibres lose elasticity and shrink in the process. Standard cotton is also known to be treated with chemicals to avoid this shrinkage problem.

Organic cotton does not get treated and is more at risk of shrinking. But this does not mean that you will have to 'size up' in order to end up with the right size for your child due to the pre-shrunk manufacturing process most clothes undergo.

The best way to keep your clothes from shrinkage, keep vibrant colours alive and ensure you and your child will enjoy organic cotton clothes for a long time is to wash dirty clothes in cold or lukewarm water and air dry all garments.

 

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

Yes, we ship outside Australia and New Zealand to most international countries. To find out if we ship to your country, complete the checkout process to shipping and select international shipping in the drop-down menu. From here, you can select your country, which will give you the cost for international shipping with tracking. Shipping times can vary from country to country, and we are still experiencing delays in international shipping due to Covid-Restrictions.

 

 

WHY DO YOU ONLY STOCK ORGANIC COTTON, ORGANIC WOOL AND NATURAL LINEN CLOTHES IN YOUR STORE?

Making the world a better place with one organic cotton, wool and natural linen piece of clothing at the time.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the negative news of our world's climate state and the impact we all have, living on this planet and consuming. I personally feel it's not a choice anymore but a responsibility to change our way of living.

The Fast Fashion industry is one of the most significant contributors to environmental pollution on this planet.

We encourage buyers to choose naturally grown fibres like organic cotton and linen over commercially grown cotton, as it is much more sustainable due to the lack of toxins in the growing, harvesting and treating process. Organic cotton and linen need less water for growing and the overall process is kinder to the environment, the farmers and the workers involved in the production.

Organic cotton and natural linen are free of toxins and breathable, making them more gentle on sensitive skin and eczema conditions.
No toxins are released during washing and the fibres are untreated and more intact, meaning a long-lasting piece of clothing that will stand the test of time without needing to buy more replacements; hence it will be more affordable in the long run for you too.

 

BUT WHAT ABOUT WOOL? ISN'T WOOL ALREADY A NATURAL, ORGANIC FIBRE? SO WHAT MAKES WOOL ORGANIC?

Organic wool guarantees that every animal used for your favourite wool jumper was treated humanely and reflects how it was farmed.

 

DO YOU OFFER GENDER-NEUTRAL CLOTHES IN YOUR STORE?

At Elves in the Wardrobe, we want kids to be kids, and we are proud to provide a range of organic fibre clothes for the whole family in neutral, calm, earthy colour tones, fun prints and magical designs.

 

 

WHY IS ORGANIC COTTON MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUY THAN CONVENTIONAL COTTON?

There are several reasons why organic cotton is more expensive to produce than conventional cotton, starting with the seeds.

The seeds used for growing organic cotton are non-GMO seeds, which are more expensive to start with. Due to the strict guidelines for growing organic cotton, the labour for organic cotton farmers is much more intense than conventional cotton farming due to the restrictive use of herbicides and pesticides.

Organic cotton takes a more systems-based approach, relying on natural inputs and processes and involves manual labour from the farmer as well as crop rotation and cross planting with natural pest-repellent plants.

Organically grown plants also produce fewer pounds per acre than conventionally grown cotton, and the overall worldwide organic cotton production is still less than 1%.

So it's quality over quantity! Less quantity also means that the prices are generally higher too. But it is so worth it in the end!

 

I WANT TO BUY MORE SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED CLOTHES FOR MY FAMILY BUT DON'T HAVE A BIG BUDGET. HOW CAN I STILL ACHIEVE THAT?

Raising two children on a small budget but with the desire to dress them in good quality, organic cotton pieces presented a challenge that I was happy to take on.

Especially in the early baby and toddler years, you go through clothes fairly quickly, which means you rotate quicker, and most clothes are still in immaculate condition. Reselling your second-hand clothes has never been easier thanks to social media, which allow you to get some money back to reinvest in some new clothes.

If you want to keep the clothes for a second or third child, it will also be worth the investment, as organic cotton is known to be much more long-lasting than conventional cotton. You will be able to get three or even four children through the same shirt or pair of pants, instead of having to buy more clothes for the new arrivals.

Signing up for newsletters from your favourite brand is another great way to keep in touch with the latest offers and discounts, allowing you to save on your children's wardrobe in the long run.

Even though ethically produced organic cotton clothes are more expensive, you will save in the long run.