Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ | T & C's

You will note that many of the sustainble trends you see today are not new ideas. For centuries our ancestors had to make do with what they had and be more frugal. Reusing everything, caring for the possessions they did own.

HANKies were common place until in 1924 Kleenex (who started making paper tissues to remove coldcream off your face) saw an oppourtunity to sell more, and switched to marketing tissues for your nose. Convenience and a strong marketing campaign won many people over. Convenience trumps many original longer lasting products. Think of plastic food wrap, single use bottles and coffee cups, takeaway containers, cotton buds and more.

The call back towards HANKies takes many different thought processes. Bare with me...

Low Waste. Tissues + Serviettes are made from trees, and a large percentage of these trees are still not FSC Certified Forestry and made from virgin timber. Grown for years and used for just a few seconds. Tissues are over-used for many tasks from a quick clean of bench and makeup, to drippy eyes and noses from allergies or simply crying.
Low Toxicity. Have you ever tried to find the ingredients list on a packet or box of tissues? You won't. The ingredients they select are well hidden deep on the parent company websites, for example Kleenex is owned by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Consider a tissue box with soothing conditioners and eucalyptus, what goes in to these? The more enhancers, the more ingredients. To start with tissues are bleached and the layers adhesed together into 1-2 or 3-4 layers of ply. Petroleum based Mineral Oils, silicon based polymer dimethicone makes them feel so soft, yet can clog pores and irritate sensitive skin. Stearly Alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid and the list goes on.
Sensitive Skin. The more we learn about what is in our cosmetics, cleaners, perfumes and air fresheners the more we seek out natural alternatives. Even the 'fluff' that comes out of a tissue packet when you pull one out can irritate and trigger those with allergies. Forever chemicals once absorbed are being shown to accumulate in our bodies, and when you use these items against your most delicate skin you can absorb the most. If you can't resist a HANKie for snotty days, then opt for plain tissues, without added benefits. Choose a natural balm or salve to soothe your skin. Unfortunately tissues made from recycled paper sound appealing but have had more processing and the varieties we have trialled are still rough on the skin. They can also contain recycled paper from many different sources sent to recycling centres which can include thermal backed shopping receipts (BPA), and a wide variety of printed inks.
Germs? If you are sick and blow your nose with a tissue OR a HANKie, it's what you do next that's most important. If you are out & about it's important to wash your hands before you retouch common surfaces. Many people tuck tissues into pockets and resue these teeny tiny squares multiple times with less surface area than a HANKie to keep snot away from your hands. BUT, if it's just allergies, tears or fixing up your make-up, then carry on! So, both items can be placed back in your pocket but if you can wash hands in between uses you are 1:1 on hygiene.