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

Which kit do I need?

At home: The BARE Bowl keeps you ready when mess inevitably appears. It lets you prep fresh cloths so they're on hand when you need them. We recommend BARE Change or BARE Everything for your home setup.

On the move: The BARE Bag (coming soon) is your stylish on-the-go companion. Two colour-coded pockets keep fresh cloths ready and used ones contained. They never mingle. Included in BARE Everything and BARE Anywhere.

Just the essentials? Choose BARE Necessities: 20 organic cotton cloths (plus a laundry bag).

Need extras? The BARE Necessities, BARE Bowl, and BARE Bag can all be purchased separately.

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, bag, and bowl 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.

BARE Bowl

How do I use them at home?

Add 5–10 BARE cloths to your BARE Bowl with warm water (or as many as you like. Refresh once or twice a day, or as needed. Cover with the cork lid. When mess strikes, grab a BARE and wipe. Done.

Why do I need to refresh daily? What if I have unused cloths in the bowl?

It's simply good practice. We wouldn't reuse yesterday's bathwater or give our toddler yesterday's unwashed cup. Purity fits beautifully into quiet moments: making morning coffee? Refresh BAREs while the kettle boils. Time for afternoon tea? Perfect time to add fresh warm BAREs. Unused cloths go straight in the wash, easy.

How much water do I add?

Just enough to dampen the cloths. It depends how wet you like them. Start shallow, add more if needed. Some parents prefer barely damp, others properly wet. You'll find your sweet spot.

How many cloths fit in the bowl?

Comfortably 10–15. Enough to have a good stash ready without overcrowding.

What if I don't have the bowl?

No problem. Wet your cloths as needed, or keep a small stack in any container that works for you. BARE adapts to your life.

Can I use the bowl for other things?

Absolutely. It's beautifully designed to hold your BARE Cloths but made to outlast your changing station. The BARE Bowl is food-grade stainless steel. Use it however you like. Just don't pop it in the microwave, on the hob, or over an open flame.

BARE Bag (coming soon)

How do I use them on the go?

Just add water to as many cloths as you need for the day, pop them in your BARE Bag, and go. The waterproof lining keeps cleans damp and dirties contained while the colour-coded pockets keep them separate. No mixing, no stress.

How many cloths does it hold?

About 10–12 cloths, plenty for a full day out.

Is the bag waterproof?

The TPU lining is waterproof and keeps moisture contained inside. The zips are water-resistant, but like any zip, they're the weakest point. We recommend carrying it strapped ON your bag, stroller, wrist, or backpack rather than tucked inside - this keeps the zip upright so any moisture stays at the bottom where the waterproof lining does its job. Bonus - it saves space!

Can I use the bag for other things?

Yes. It's perfect for wet swimwear, damp workout clothes, soiled baby clothes, or anything else that needs containing. It's 22cm diameter, so think compact and portable. The colour-coded pockets work for whatever you throw in them.

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, hang dry, OR need them right away? Just add water and use - skip the drying! The cotton mesh laundry bag washes the same way.

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. It also makes them the perfect size for your BARE Bowl and BARE Bag.

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.

BARE Bowl

How do I care for the bowl?

Hand wash with warm soapy water.

How do I care for the cork lid?

Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Just don't submerge it because cork's porous structure means water can get trapped inside and it will take ages to fully dry. Since the lid sits over damp cloths, condensation can build up on the underside. Give it a quick wipe with a dry cloth and let it air dry occasionally - it's just the nature of natural materials and moisture. Cork is naturally antimicrobial and breathable, which is exactly why we chose it. A bit of airflow between uses keeps it performing beautifully.

BARE Bag (coming soon)

How do I care for the bag?

Machine wash warm, air dry.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS

What's in each kit?

BARE Necessities: Just the cloths (20 pack) and laundry bag

BARE Change: Complete home kit - BARE bowl, cork lid, 20 BARE cloths, 1 laundry bag

BARE Everything (coming soon): The lot - BARE bowl, 20 BARE cloths, 1 BARE Bag, 1 laundry bag

BARE Anywhere: 20 organic cotton cloths + Laundry Bag + BARE Bag

BARE Bowl: Bowl + cork lid

BARE Bag (coming soon): 2 pocket wet bag

What are they made of?

Cloths: GOTS certified 100% organic cotton muslin
Bowl: Food-grade double-wall stainless steel
Cork lid: Portuguese cork
BARE Bag: Organic cotton exterior, food-safe TPU lining
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 do you use to waterproof the bag?

The BARE Bag has a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) lining to keep moisture contained.

Wait... Seriously? Plastic?

Yes, seriously. For true waterproofing, TPU is the safest option available: biocompatible, food-safe, and widely used in medical devices like catheters and surgical tubing³.

Not all plastics are created equal. Unlike PVC, TPU doesn't require toxic phthalate plasticisers⁴. And the food-grade TPU lining stays contained inside - a functional barrier doing its job. What your family touches is the organic cotton exterior.

Why Portuguese cork?

Cork is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial⁵. It's water-repellent (thanks to suberin, a waxy substance in cork cells), hypoallergenic, and doesn't absorb dust. These properties make it naturally resistant to mould and bacterial growth. Perfect for a lid covering warm, damp BARES. Once we knew we wanted cork, we naturally wanted the best.

Portugal produces over half the world's cork and has centuries of cork harvesting expertise. Portuguese cork oaks are protected by strict regulations and tended by highly skilled harvesters, producing dense, high-quality cork that's prized worldwide. It's why fine wine producers choose Portuguese cork, and why it is the right fit for BARE.

Beyond the science, cork is incredibly sustainable. It's harvested every 8-9 years by skilled farmers using traditional methods, and stripping the bark doesn't harm the tree. A cork oak tree can be safely harvested up to 20 times during its life cycle - sometimes living for 300 years. Regularly harvested cork trees absorb and retain five times more CO₂ than those that aren't harvested⁶.

We chose Portuguese cork because it's sustainably harvested, naturally antimicrobial, breathable, and looks absolutely beautiful.

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 (UPS, FedEx, etc.) will contact you to arrange payment before delivery or will bill you after paying on your behalf.

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

1. The Organic Center - "Organic Cotton and the Environment"
2. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - www.global-standard.org
3. Eickhoff et al. (2017) - "Biocompatibility and biomechanical analysis of elastic TPU threads as new suture material" - Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials
4. Bornehag & Nanberg (2010) - "The Role of Exposure to Phthalates from Polyvinyl Chloride Products in the Development of Asthma and Allergies" - Environmental Health Perspectives
5. Gonçalves et al. (2016) - "Evaluation of antimicrobial properties of cork" - FEMS Microbiology Letters
6. Rainforest Alliance - "Cork Oak"