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Customer Service - F.A.Q.
How do you make sure Maggie's products are not made in sweatshops?
We require full disclosure of working conditions and production
standards. A questionnaire for all suppliers, developed to ask
specific questions about average salary, benefits, health care,
etc., is reviewed before production begins. In most cases, we
visit the facilities and interview workers, as well as management,
ourselves. The labor standards we use are based upon those of
the internationally recognized grassroots anti-sweatshop organization:
The Clean Clothes Campaign. (www.cleanclothes.org)
Why choose organic cotton over conventionally grown cotton?
Conventional farming allows the use of harsh pesticides, herbicides,
defoliants, and synthetic chemicals. Picture still more chemicals
used in the manufacturing and finishing of your cotton garment.
It is a wonder there is any cotton left at the time you get
it home! These chemicals are not just irritating to your skin,
but the process also devastates ground water, natural habitats,
soil fertility, and public health. Many of these chemicals are
concentrated in the oils of the plants that are then used in
Cottonseed Oil, prevalent in hundreds of conventional food products!
Organic Foods Production Act regulates what is and is not "Organic."
Standards are based upon the use of materials and practices
that enhance ecological balance. Read all about Organic Cotton
and farming at: http://www.newdream.org/consumer/cottonfacts.html
Where is your Organic Cotton Grown?
Currently, most cotton in our socks is from the US - mainly
New Mexico. This does tend to change from year to year as fiber
supplies change. We always try to purchase fiber from the closest
possible source. Cotton for apparel is from Peru and the US.
Read more about our fibers on the Contents
Page of Product Information.
Are the colors in Maggie's Products all Natural?
No, the dyestuff we use is not all natural. However, we make
sure the dyes our processors use are as environmentally sustainable
as possible. All of our products meet the stringent dyeing standards
in the North American Organic Fiber Standards.
Dyeing is a very complex and tricky process. Trying to find
a compromise between quality and the environment can be a challenge.
After a great deal of research, we have found low impact Direct
and low-impact Reactive dyes to produce the highest quality
for the customer and the environment:
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based on light fastness, wash fastness,
and consistency |
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based on water, salt and energy consumption,
chemical make-up and quantity of dyestuffs needed |
What does NB (Naturally Bleached) mean?
Chlorine is quite toxic and has a long half-life taking it quite
a long time to degrade. Optical whiteners do not degrade at
all! We opted to use "natural bleaching" which uses hydrogen
peroxide to whiten fibers. The end result leaves an attractive
amount of cotton's natural hue.
Why aren't your socks 100% Cotton?
The American Hosiery Trade Association suggests the omission
of a fiber consisting of less than 5% on the content label.
Therefore, a sock can claim 100% cotton, that may contain up
to 5% of another fiber. Maggie's believes in full disclosure
of our sock contents. What you see IS what you get! For example,
our "Allergy Sock" contains only .2% Lycra, which is listed
on the label, at the very top of the sock. This Lycra is easily
removable for those with the severest of allergies.
I have very sensitive skin and/or chemical sensitivity. Do
you have a sock that is appropriate for me?
Yes! Our socks are made with certified organic cotton or certified
organic wool so you may not have problems with any of our socks.
Organic fibers are not treated with harsh chemicals like most
conventional fibers are. Our socks do contain some synthetic
material because cotton and wool does not have any natural stretch,
but we take great care to list exact percentage of each ingredient
on each label.
For those of you who are super sensitive, we do offer a cotton
crew sock that is 99.8% organic cotton and .2% Lycra (only a
tiny bit at the top of the sock to prevent it from falling completely
loose). This sock is available in Natural, untreated with dyes.
What is Coolmax and why does Maggie's use it?
Coolmax® is registered by INVISTA SARL and is a non-treated
polyester or nylon fiber. We chose to use Coolmax® because it
moves perspiration away from the body to the fabric surface
where it can evaporate quickly, creating a drier and more comfortable
sock. The characteristics of the fiber are "built" into the
fiber, requiring no chemical treatments to create its unique
wicking abilities. Our Coolmax® socks are great for anyone,
but for cyclists, runners, or other athletes searching for a
sock to carry them through duration activities, our Coolmax®
sport socks are unbeatable!
Why can't I find hemp products?
We formerly purchased all of our hemp from a group of cooperative
farmers in France. They used dew retting to remove the fiber
and had great employment practices. Unfortunately, these farmers
discontinued their business. We continue to seek out another
source that follows our standards of farming and employment
practices.
Are the workers in the cooperative paid fairly?
Workers at the cooperative make over 70% more than the average
annual per capita income in Nicaragua. They work a regular Nicaraguan
work week of 47 hours. Overtime is paid double and is completely
voluntary. No workers are under the age of 18. Being a cooperative,
the members decide collectively how they will be paid (hourly
or by the piece, for example), what holidays to take, etc. Please
visit the co-op's website to further explore: www.freetradezone.jhc-cdca.org
I am allergic to detergent, I am looking for detergent-free
product.
The detergents we allow are those that are not silicone-based
and do not contain petroleum solvents. "Anti-wrinkle agent"
is a name for numerous functional chemical finishes which make
fabrics 'permanent press'. We do not allow these.
How much can I expect your products to shrink?
Shrink varies slightly in each different run of fabric, but
in general, if washed and dried according to our instructions,
our garments will shrink between 5% and 7% (approximately 1"
in the width and length of most). This shrink should all occur
during the first three washings. To avoid shrink, wash at lower
temperatures, and minimize machine drying (it's also better
for the environment, and helps clothes last longer!). Socks
will shrink a bit as well (if they are machine dried) but due
to their construction, will stretch back out to fit your feet.
Can you ensure that the sheep from which your wool is obtained
from are treated humanely?
Maggie's only uses Certified Organic Wool in our products. The
Organic Trade Association provides a very good Organic
Wool Fact sheet. It lists the federal requirements for Organic
certification regarding wool. These include:
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Livestock feed and forage used from
the last third of gestation on must be organic. |
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Use of synthetic hormones and genetic
engineering is prohibited. |
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Use of synthetic pesticides (internal,
external, and on pastures) is prohibited. |
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Producers must encourage livestock
health through good cultural and management practices.
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Is the thread in your garments 100% organic cotton or synthetic
and is it treated with chemicals?
The thread used in our natural color garments is 100% cotton.
However, the sewing cooperative uses cotton-covered polyester
thread, as they have trouble sourcing many colors of cotton
thread in Nicaragua.
Are your cotton crew socks latex free?
Some of our products rely on the stretch and recovery characteristics
of latex/rubber. Other socks solely use spandex/Lycra® for these
same characteristics. The following is a list of socks using
latex/rubber: PED Athletics, Knee-Highs, Maggie's Mantra Socks,
and all Tights (baby and adult). You can check all product "ingredients"
on our Contents Page. |
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