Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the questions we are most frequently asked. If you would like to know anything else please contact us.

How do I care for my hand-dyed clothes?

It is easy, simply machine wash them in cold water.

You can even wash them with your other clothes, as the colours are wash safe in cold water.

Will the colours fade?

With the following care the colours will remain bright and beautiful.

Turn your hand-dyed garment inside out.

Machine wash in cold water.

Dry inside out in the shade.

Never soak or use bleach on your hand dyed clothes as this will definitely fade the colours.

Is the clothing I buy from Magic Starfish unique?

Each piece of clothing is individually folded and dyed making each one unique and unrepeatable (even if we tried!). The way the colours mix and blend along folds is unique to each piece of clothing. You can be sure that the creations you choose from Magic Starfish are unique to you.

What are Fair Trade goods?

The trading of goods that creates relationships between producers, traders and consumers in a manner that ensures that producers work in safe conditions, are paid fair wages, and are mindful of the environment.

What is Organic clothing?

Organic cotton is produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMOs, harsh Organic tree chemical bleaches or dyes. Instead natural fertilisers and compost are used. Advances in natural pest control, and natural deterrents such as ladybugs which destroy harmful insects, have helped make raising organic cotton a viable enterprise. It is an innovative method of farming and production – and is increasingly being recognised as being on the leading edge of food and fiber technology.

Where ever possible we choose unbleached fabric as our base product as it is one less chemical process.

The use of use hemp or bamboo fibers are also sustainable as they grow naturally without any chemicals.

Organic growing is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way of producing fibers for clothing.

Are your products sweatshop free?

Yes. We believe everyone deserves good working conditions and to be paid a living wage. We seek out manufacturers who supply products which are grown and made in Australia, if we cannot find this we source our un-dyed product from certified Fair Trade, Fair Labour, Living Wage manufacturers overseas.

All the tie-dyeing is done by us here in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia. We only sweat when it's very very hot!

Is your dyeing process environmentally safe?

Yes. We only use professional grade fiber reactive dyes. The particular dyes we use do not contain heavy metals or hazardous mordents and are considered to have a very low environmental impact. The only mordant our dyes use is salt! Our dyes are considered safer for both the dyer and the environment than using bleach to clean your bathroom, having your hair dyed or using dishwashing powder in a dishwasher.

As we hand dye all our creations, there is very little water used in our dyeing process compared to industrial scale dyeing. As every drop counts; all the water we use in our dyeing is recycled.

Whenever possible we use solar power in the dyeing process.

Aren't natural dyes better that synthetic dyes?

After many years research and experimentation we have chosen organic fiber reactive dyes because:

Many natural dyes are environmentally unsustainable for general use. For instance, it takes about 3kg of lichen to make enough dye to colour one standard T-shirt! Lichen grow just a few centimetres per year. To keep the world supplied in cochineal cost 20 billion female Dactylopius coccus insects their lives!
Natural dyes (plant/animal dyes) often require the use of heavy metals to fix the dye to the fabric.
Natural dyes fade more quickly as the pigment does not bond with the fiber. Dyes seeping out in the wash can ruin other clothes in the wash. Fiber reactive dye pigments bond with the fiber giving lasting colour and is colour safe in the wash.
Fiber reactive dyes do not require high temperatures, saving energy.
Many natural dyes contain toxins which can be ingested by young children if they suck their clothing. Fiber reactive dyes are non toxic.

We are constantly researching new products as they become available. We are currently looking at using organically certified dyes.

Where do you post to?

We send items all over Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA and Canada For other destinations please contact us.

Can I return an item if it is the wrong size?

All items are pre shrunk so please check the measurements carefully when placing an order.

Please notify us within 7 days of receiving the item and we will discuss the best option. If the item is in original unworn/unwashed condition with tags still attached we will consider a size exchange.

Replacement items will not be sent until the return item is received by Magic Starfish and is seen to be in original condition.

Postage costs will be at your own expense.

Do you do custom orders?

Yes please contact us and we can discuss your needs.

Do you do wholesale?

Yes we are happy to supply registered businesses. Please contact us and for a wholesalers information kit.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Paypal and direct bank deposits.

What is your Privacy Policy?

We never sell, give away, or make unauthorized use of any of your personal information