Frequently Asked Questions

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you don't find what you need in this very long list.

Why is the Footscrubber made of Terra-Cotta?

In the Indian Sub-Continent there is no source of pumice, so women there have made Foot Scrubbers out of terra-cotta for hundreds of years.  Because the terra-cotta is kiln-fired, they never wear out.  We brought Foot Scrubbers to the US in 1989, and it's been our most popular product ever since.

How do you clean the Footscrubber?

Wash in hot soapy water and use a stiff brush.  Rinse well and allow to air dry.  You can also wash the Footscrubber in your dishwasher.

Are your skin care products 100% organic?

Most, but not all of our ingredients are Certified Organic.  We do not use any petrolatum, mineral oil, propylene glycol, dyes or sodium laureth sulfate in our products.  We continue to phase out products with Parabens, and there are only a very few remaining.  Please check our Ingredients by Product to see if a specific product is Paraben-free.

Why do you have such strange sounding ingredients on your labels?

That(s INCI, which is a way of describing ingredients required by the European Union.  We(ve provided an INCI to English list of ingredients for your convenience. 

Can you tell me what a specific ingredient does?

Yes!  Most ingredients are pretty simple and we've created an Ingredients Glossary to explain every ingredient we use.

Do you test on animals?

Many of the ingredients commonly used in the personal care and cosmetics industry have at various times been tested on animals, so no product can ever claim to be truly animal-testing free.  However, none of our products have been tested on animals, and we are ardent supporters of developing alternative testing.  For those who'd like to know more, visit Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, which explores the subject in much more detail.  Finally, Gilden Tree is a proud member of PETA. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.)

Do you use any animal ingredients in your products?

There is a little honey in our cleansing gel, but otherwise our products are completely vegan. 

Why do you use a blend of Fragrance and Essential Oils in your scented products?

There are two answers really.  The first is that scent is very important and people want to buy and use products that smell good to them. Although we’ve offered Unfragranced products for years, the majority of what we sell are scented products.

The second reason is that using a blend allows us to create subtle, sophisticated scents which remain stable over time and are consistent in different types of products. Essential Oils change over time, and seem best suited to simpler scents. Lavender is a wonderful scent that even as it changes, remains pleasant. When we start using a more complex blend of Essential Oils, the results can be unpredictable, and what smelled very good at first can become insipid or even unpleasant over time. We know that people love our scents - and that makes them more likely to use the product on a regular basis. We believe that the trade off in using a very small amount of Fragrance oils is worth it if it helps motivate people to take care of their bodies, and that is why we use them.

Can I use Gilden Tree products if I have Diabetes?

Yes, many products are excellent for Diabetics, especially our foot care items.  Please review our Guide for Diabetic Foot Care.

About our Textiles:

Is your cotton ‘organic’?

Our Cotton is "Natural Cotton", which is grown in Pakistan, from defoliant-free plants, and processed without dyes chemicals and only peroxide-bleach.  Most mechanically-picked cotton is sprayed with defoliants just before picking to make the leaves wilt and fall for a cleaner harvest.  True "Certified Organic" cotton must be grown in accordance with organic farming principals, and there are several stages that must be verified by a certifying authority.  Because there is no recognized certifying authority in Pakistan, there is no way to legally describe our cotton as Certified Organic. 

What sizes are your waffle weave robes?  Do you have dimensions?

Our robes are very generously over-sized.  Please use our Textile Size & Dimension Chart for more specific information.

How can I wash the robes and wraps?

Pre-treat for stains, and then warm water wash and tumble dry low.

How long do the spa robes and wraps  take to dry?

Because they're made of a flat weave, our waffle weave spa robes and wraps dry in about 20-25 minutes, with no lint.  Our velour wraps take about 20 minutes.  Our Cotton Velour robes take quite a bit longer and it depends on the heat and how many robes are in the dryer.  Normally expect at least 40 minutes.

How much will robes and wraps shrink? 

Over time, Our Cotton/Poly blend Waffle Weave garments will shrink very little - 2-3%.  100% Cotton Waffle Weave items will shrink up to 12%, but are very oversized to allow for this.  Our Cotton/Poly Velour items will shrink hardly at all, and our 100% Cotton Velour items will shrink 3-4%. 

Why do you use amber PET bottles and jars?

We use PET because it is does not let air in, which helps keep products fresher, and because it’s almost universally recyclable.  We use amber because it blocks light, which can break down the ingredients in a product.  By taking advantage of the natural qualities of amber PET, we can slightly reduce how much preservative our products require to stay safe to use. 

Are Gilden Tree’s office, warehouse and shipping operations eco-friendly?

Yes, we’ve been very committed to environmental responsibility since 1990.  (Ask us about packing in air-popped popcorn in the early 90s!)  We reuse boxes, packing materials, and paper whenever possible, and recycle all paper from the warehouse.  Our warehouse has fifteen big skylights to provide good natural light, which is supplemented by light from compact fluorescent bulbs. (They’re gigantic!)  Our office uses recycled office supplies, we repair equipment instead of simply replacing it and we encourage live plants for a healthier atmosphere.  We’ve been members of “Green America” (formerly Co-op America) since the mid 1990s.

If I’m not comfortable ordering online, how else can I place an order?

Easy!  Just call us toll-free at 888-GILDENTREE (888-445-3368 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.

Which credit cards do you take?

We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. 

How can I find out about new products?

Just e-mail customerservice@gildentree.com and ask to be added to our New Products Email List.  Whenever we have new products, you'll be the first to know! 

Do you sell or share my personal information?

We respect your privacy and your inbox, and never sell, rent or share your personal information.  When you join our email list, we’ hope you will look forward to getting special offers, recipes and new product news. So we won’t bombard you with emails, and if you ever want to opt out, every email has an easy way to do so.

How long will it take to get my order?

We ship most orders within 24 hours from Omaha, NE.  Most orders will reach their destination with 5 business days after we ship.

Can I track my order?

Yes.  We’ll email you when your order has shipped to let you know how you can track it.  If you lost that email, just e-mail customerservice@gildentree.com with your name and order number and we’ll resend your tracking information.

Can I return merchandise?

Of course.  We hope you will love everything you get from Gilden Tree, but if you would like to return something, please contact us within 30 days of order receipt to request a Return Authorization number.

We will provide you with an “RA#” and the last day we will accept your return shipment, which is 15 days from the date we issue the RA#. Items must be unopened and in new condition for a full product refund. (Sorry, there are no refunds on shipping either way.)

Late returns, returns which are in an un-resellable condition, or are missing parts will be refused.  No refunds will be issued for any product returned after 60 days of original receipt. Due to customs restrictions, we cannot accept returns from other countries.