This a-z will tell you more about Fou Furnishings and explain what is important to us as well as some of the technical terms used. We have tried to make this section as digestible as possible, by breaking it down alphabetically and writing in plain English. If you have questions we have not answered here, please contact us and we will answer your query as quickly as we can.   

a. aims

authenticity
Ensure any claims made about the product can be backed up. All of our products are accredited at the raw material stage or through processing and manufacturing to the final product. Our aim is for all of our products to become fully GOTS certified from start to finish.  

our definition of sustainability
To promote a sustainable supply chain, defined as one which is economically viable, socially just and environmentally sound for all partners involved and at all stages of the supply chain. The reason for choosing organic cotton.

design
Original design, both of form – the pattern, embroidery, fabric - and function; duvet cover

transparency
To be open and honest with all of our suppliers in our dealings and ensure there is transparency within all stages of supply and manufacture, from fibre origin to the finished bed linen through certification. To ensure transparency of each of our products’ supply chains, we have selected GOTS certified organic cotton as the standard to work to in which each stage of the product is certified, from its origin to finished bed linen.

quality
To offer the highest quality yarns and fabrics we can source in certified organic or sustainable materials at a competitive price in fabric which is stringently tested for performance against our own and external standards e.g. colourfastness, shrinkage, pilling and allergy inducing dyestuffs.

c. customer service
To deliver on any commitment we make to our customers, as long as it is within our control, or to apologise and to make amends.

c. country of origin
Country of origin refers to where the product was manufactured, but gives no visibility of the origination or social and environmental conditions in which the cotton fibre farming, ginning, spinning or milling may have taken place.

e. environment
See our aims on sustainability. Also to continue to improve what we are doing with reference to environmental impact. 
               
f. fou
Our name. Dictionary definitions  1. Old Scots word for basket  2. Old Scots word for drunk. 3. French word for mad, the antitheses of what we are trying to achieve.

g. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The aim of the standard is to define requirements to ensure the organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer. This standard for organic textiles covers the production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, exportation, importation and distribution of all natural fibres.

l. labelling
Our hang tags tell the story of each of our products and are printed on 100% recycled card.

l.  laundry
The biggest environmental impact arises in cotton product’s use through washing. To reduce the environmental impact of washing organic cotton products, recommendations are made for the use of EU Eco-label standard detergents such as ‘Simply’ washing powder, the first British laundry product to be awarded the eco-label. Use of this powder, over conventional powders claims to reduce the harmful chemicals in washing waste water by 36-50%. Our care label also recommends washing at 30 degrees and line drying. This reduces energy consumption by an estimated 40%. All of our product are tested at 60 degrees, but prefer to be line dried.

o. organic textiles definition.
The definition of organic textiles according to the UK Soil Association (2007) outline the main features of organic farming as including severe restriction on the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the use of crop rotation to ensure the development of a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. Cambridge University (2006) echo the Soil Association and define organic as cotton that has been grown without any use of synthetic fertilisers or synthetic pesticides and which has been defoliated by natural means (The University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing 2006). 

o. Oeko-Tex class II.
Oeko-tex standard 100 was introduced in 1992 and achievement in this standard in one of IV classes signifies that product has undergone stringent testing by an accredited test centre to testify that the textiles are totally safe. Tests include legal requirements for substances such as carcinogenic dyestuffs,  formaldehyde, softeners, heavy metals or pentachlorophenol. Also, products are tested for harmful substances such as pesticides, allergy-inducing dyestuffs or tin-organic compounds and precautionary parameters such as colourfastness and skin-friendly pH value. The higher the class, the greater the skin contact. Hence baby products tend to be in Class I and bed linen, because it is in contact with large areas of the skin, is in Class II.

p. percale
A closely woven plain weave, spun fabric made from both carded and combed cotton. 

p. packaging
The bed linen will come to you with an organic cotton drawstring bag which you won’t have to dispose of. Instead, you can use it to store and keep your linen in pristine condition.

p. privacy policy
Please find under our Terms & Conditions.

r. recycling
We have mentioned use (washing); disposal of the product cannot be left out. We will commit to investigating end of life for our bed linen in our second year of  trading. We are committed to using as high a content as possible recycled material where we can identify the possibility of using it. Our stationary is printed on 100% recycled and FSC materials.   

s. soil association
The Soil Association is the UK’s leading certification body and environmental charity. Accreditation has been applied for.

s. security
Your online security is extremely important to us. We use encryption technology called Secure Sockets layer (SSL) to ensure that any data is read only by those who have the authority to do so. Look out for the padlock symbol at the bottom of the screen which signifies that you are on a secure site. We will take the steps necessary to ensure cardholder information is safe. All payment will be securely processed through Worldpay.   

s. sateen
A weave construction that has more yarn surface on the face of the cloth than other basic weaves giving a softer handle and more lustrous look.

s. staple
Staple refers to the length of the cotton fibre which comes in short, medium and long. High thread counts need to be woven from long staple fibres such as Egyptian which is renowned for its quality. Bed linen fabrics which are woven with long staple fibres inherently contain the natural strength, softness and durable quality of the fibre which will withstand frequent laundering outlasting those fabrics made from inferior or shorter staple cottons.       

t. thread count defined
Thread count is defined as the number of threads, warp (lengthwise) and weft (width wise), woven in a one-inch square of fabric. Thread count is affected by a number of factors, including the ply and the thickness of the threads used. Ply refers to how many threads are wrapped together into a single thread. Single-ply fabrics use threads on their own, while two-ply fabrics are formed by two pieces of thread twisted together. A higher thread count contributes to quality and softness. Using a finer thread allows more threads to fit into a square inch measure, creating a softer, smoother fabric.