FAQ
BARE FAQ
QUICK START
How do BARE Cloths work?
Simple. Wash before first use, then just add water. Wet, wipe, wash, repeat. That's it. No chemicals, no additives, no fuss. Just pure organic cotton and water.
Why it works: The muslin is highly absorbent and gentle on skin; reusing soft cotton with plain water replaces disposable wipes without fuss.
GETTING STARTED
Can I use them from birth?
Absolutely. Pure cotton and water is exactly what midwives recommend for newborns. It's the gentlest and purest way to care for your baby's delicate skin.
Do I need to wash them before first use?
Yes. Give your cloths a wash before first use. See care instructions below.
USING YOUR BARE PRODUCTS
BARE Cloths
How do I use them?
It's as simple as: Wet. Wipe. Wash. Repeat.
Dampen cloths with water as needed: run under the tap, use a spray bottle, or keep a few in any container.
What can I use them for?
Little faces, hands, feet, and EVERYTHING in between. Also great for makeup removal, spills, workout refresh, pets, anywhere mess happens. From newborns to grandparents, BARE works for the whole family.
Why are the cloths round?
Because BARE is different. We've come full circle, from when our grandmothers cared for babies with soft natural cloths and pure water, to today's overload of synthetics and chemical clutter. BARE takes us back to nature, reinvented. GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton in gentle Nordic tones.
How much water do I add?
Just enough to dampen the cloths. It depends how wet you like them. Some parents prefer barely damp, others properly wet. You'll find your sweet spot.
WASHING & CARE
BARE Cloths & Laundry Bag
How do I wash the cloths?
Machine wash warm (40°C) with your regular laundry. You can throw them in the laundry bag for convenience, or let them roam free in the machine - both work perfectly. Tumble dry low, hang dry, OR need them right away? Just add water and use - skip the drying! The cotton mesh laundry bag washes the same way.
No bleach. Wash dark colours separately.
Will stains come out?
Most will. Organic cotton is absorbent and releases most stains in a normal wash. For stubborn marks, we have a few natural tips:
Sunlight: UV rays naturally break down stain molecules. Try hanging damp cloths in direct sunlight. For best results, leave for 2-6 hours. (Brilliant if you live in a sunny place! For those of you in the UK, like us, we know Great Britain has NOT cornered the market on sunlight but worth a try when it appears).
White vinegar: Soak soiled cloths in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water for 30 minutes before washing, or add 1/2 cup (about 120ml) of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
If all else fails and stains linger, well, life's messy and stains happen. Evidence of brilliant adventures along the way. If they're too stained to carry in public, repurpose them for home cleaning instead. You'll have beautiful dust rags and cleaning cloths.
Can I tumble dry the cloths?
Yes. Tumble dry on low or hang to dry.
Will the cloths shrink?
Yes, a bit. Our organic cotton muslin cloths are 21cm diameter and naturally rumple after first wash into that classic perfectly imperfect muslin texture with character and movement that whispers luxury.
Can I iron them?
You can, but why would you? The natural rumpled texture of muslin is part of their charm. They're meant to be soft and lived-in, not crisp and perfect. Save yourself the time.
How long will the cloths last?
Our cloths are GOTS certified organic cotton muslin - durable, soft, and should last for years. Treat them well and they'll serve your family beautifully.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTS
What are they made of?
Cloths: GOTS certified 100% organic cotton muslin
Laundry bag: Organic cotton
Why did you choose organic cotton muslin?
Not all materials are created equal. We chose GOTS certified organic because it's grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, or GMOs. Organic cotton practices can also reduce water consumption by as much as 91%1. Small changes that add up when millions of wipes are in play. GOTS prohibits toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals throughout processing2. No chemical residue to touch delicate skin. Just pure, soft, natural cotton that gets softer with every wash.
What about bamboo? Conventional cotton? Microfibre?
We looked into all of them. Bamboo sounded perfect until we dug into the chemical processing. Conventional cotton? The pesticide use and chemicals were a dealbreaker. Microfibre is literally plastic, so that was a clear NO.
For the complete breakdown of why we chose GOTS organic cotton over these alternatives, see Why Organic Cotton.
Are they really chemical-free?
Yes. No chemicals in the cloths, no nasties touching your baby's skin. Just organic cotton and water.
What are batch numbers?
Every BARE product has a batch number for quality tracking and traceability. You'll find your batch numbers printed on your product insert card or product packaging.
SHIPPING, RETURNS
Is shipping free?
For our launch we are offering free shipping through the end of 2025 to all UK customers.
Where do you ship?
We currently ship to the UK and the US.
What about customs duties and tariffs?
For US customers: As of August 2025, all shipments to the US are subject to import duties and tariffs, regardless of value. Your shipping carrier will contact you to arrange payment before delivery.
Not shipping to your country yet?
Email hello@theoriginalbarebear.com to tell us where you'd like to see BARE. Your interest helps us decide where to expand next.
How do I return something?
Contact hello@theoriginalbarebear.com within 30 days of delivery and we'll guide you through it. You'll cover return shipping (we recommend tracked postage), and once we receive your return, we'll process your refund within 10 business days to your original payment method.
What we need: Unopened items in original packaging, unused and unwashed, with your order number or proof of purchase.
Important: Please don't send anything back without contacting us first, unrequested returns can't be accepted.
What if I opened it?
Since these are personal baby care products, purity is important so opened, used, or washed items cannot be returned. This protects you and every BARE customer.
What if my item arrives damaged or faulty?
Inspect your order when it arrives. If the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, email hello@theoriginalbarebear.com immediately with photos, your order number, and what's wrong. We'll send you a prepaid return shipping label and arrange a replacement or full refund.
What is your refund timeline?
Haven't received your refund after 15 business days? Contact hello@theoriginalbarebear.com and we'll investigate.
CONTACT / SUPPORT
How do I reach you?
Need a hand? We're here to help with questions, orders, or the little things that come up in real life. Go to Contact or use the links below.
📩 Email: hello@theoriginalbarebear.com
💬 Instagram: @originalbarebear
We're a small team and reply personally, usually within one or two business days.
Sources
- The Organic Center - "Organic Cotton and the Environment"
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - www.global-standard.org