Lifefactory Bottle Products

1. What are the benefits of glass? Why should I buy a glass bottle over a plastic or metal one?
   Glass has been a trusted material for centuries. It is one of the greenest materials on the planet and is 100% recyclable. And it is safe: You don’t have to worry about BPA, lead, or other chemicals that can leach into liquids from plastic bottles. Moreover, water and beverages will taste better coming out of a glass bottle because glass is taste neutral--no unpleasant plastic or metallic taste.
   
   Those are the benefits to you. But using a Lifefactory reusable glass bottle also benefits the environment. Bottled water creates enormous quantities of waste. You'll save money and Earth’s resources if you don’t buy bottled water.
2. Where are Lifefactory bottles made?
   Lifefactory beverage and baby bottles are custom made in France.  Beverage bottle silicone sleeves are made in the United States, and polypropylene plastic caps are made in Poland. Baby bottle sleeves and plastic parts are made to meet our exacting standards in China, supervised by a reputable agency from Singapore. All components are FDA-approved and are compliant with US, Canadian, and European safety standards. The glass and plastic parts are recyclable, and the silicone can be sent back to us where it can be re-ground to make outdoor playground mats or mats for barn animals.
3. Why do Lifefactory bottles have a silicone sleeve?
   Our patent-pending silicone sleeves were designed not only to look stylish but also to protect the bottles and help prevent them from breaking. The material and design combine to improve the bottle's tactile quality and grip, which prevents bottles from becoming slick with condensation (or sweat, for athletes) and reduces the potential for breakage.
4. What are the sleeves on Lifefactory bottles made of?
   Our sleeves are made of silicone, which is non-toxic and has been strength-tested for durability. Silicone is made from silica, the most common constituent of sand. It is a great alternative to plastics, which can leach chemicals, and to rubber or latex, which some people are allergic to.
5. Does Lifefactory sell its sleeves separately? Do the sleeves fit on other bottles?
   A Lifefactory bottle is the combination of a glass bottle and complementary silicone sleeve designed in tandem. We only sell the complete package because that's the only way to ensure the sleeve fits perfectly—plus it's the only way we could attain our exceptional standards of quality. That's why we don't sell sleeves separately. We could never be sure that they would fit other bottles precisely.
6. How do I wash the bottle?
   All components of every Lifefactory bottle—the glass bottle itself as well as the sleeve and cap (or nipple)—are dishwasher safe or can be hand washed.
7. Q: Can I put boiling water in my beverage bottle to make tea? Can I put the beverage bottle filled with water in the freezer?
   A: Lifefactory beverage bottles are made from soda lime glass. This is the same container glass used for wine bottles and other food storage containers. It is strong but not impervious to rapid temperature changes or impact. Like any bottle, it will expand and crack if left in the freezer or hit with boiling water. 
   Lifefactory baby bottles are made from borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is known for its superior durability, chemical and heat resistance, and is excellent for use in chemical laboratory equipment and cookware. This allows the baby bottle to go from the freezer to boiling water pot without incident. 
8. Q: Do you need to take the sleeve off to wash a Lifefactory bottle?
   A: No, you can leave the sleeve on the bottle and wash the whole thing in the dishwasher. If you wish to remove the sleeve, it comes off best in warm, soapy water.
9. Q:How long will my order take to arrive?
   A:We do our best to process and ship your order quickly.  Due to the possible delays involved in international manufacturing, orders may take up to two weeks to process depending on the quantity and color selection. UPS Ground usually takes seven to ten working days. If you are ordering 2 or 3 Day Select, please remember if you order on Friday, your order will not be reviewed until Monday.
10. Q:What is the Lifefactory e-store’s return policy?
    A:We stand behind our products and offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (less shipping costs). If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason, please contact us or call our return department at 888-900-5520 for instructions on how to return or exchange your purchase.

Lifefactory Baby Bottles

1. Why is glass a better choice for baby bottles?
   Glass is clearly a better choice for baby bottles. Plastic bottles can leach chemicals into milk or juice (including BPA); glass does not. Plastic bottles can scratch, and scratches can harbor bacteria—glass does not. And plastic bottles typically end up in landfills when their useful life is over; glass is recyclable and reusable, and is better for the environment.
   
   Most parents like the idea of using glass but worry about breakage. Lifefactory offers a solution by combining a sturdy glass bottle with a custom-designed silicone sleeve to protect the glass from breaking.
2. Your new baby bottles say they are “thermal shock resistant”. What does this mean?
   Lifefactory is proud to bring one of the first borosilicate glass baby bottles to the American market. Borosilicate glass is pharmaceutical-grade glass that is more expensive, purer, and higher quality than other glass baby bottles that are made with soda lime. Thermal shock resistant means the glass is stronger and can withstand extreme temperature changes (from boiling to freezing) without breaking. Soda lime bottles do not have this quality. For mothers who pump and store breast milk, our bottles can go from freezer to refrigerator to hot water for feeding all in one step.
3. What safety certifications does Lifefactory baby bottles have?
   At Lifefactory, we are very concerned about infant safety. We have voluntarily had our bottles tested for safety and integrity by an independent third party lab, Bureau Veritas. The bottles are in compliance with the requirements of CPSIA 2008 and 16 CFR 1500 in the United States. The bottles are EN 14350 compliant in Europe.
4. Why are Lifefactory baby bottles more expensive than some other glass baby bottles on the market?
   It's true that Lifefactory baby bottles are somewhat more expensive than some products, but we believe the combination of safety, quality, and design makes them an excellent value. Consider our materials: Borosilicate glass costs more but makes our baby bottles stronger and thermal shock resistant. The silicone sleeve (the hallmark of our bottles, which gives them their distinctive look, improves their "gripability," and helps prevent breakage) is much more expensive to manufacture than plastic—particularly the thick, high-grade silicone that we employ. Additionally, we use top-quality, FDA-approved plastic for our caps and rings, and our French nipples are medical grade silicone; both of these factors affect product pricing. A final contributor to the price of Lifefactory bottles is our commitment to rigorous product testing, which ensures safety, durability, and minimal environmental impact.
5. How do I wash/sterilize the bottle and its parts?
   Boil or run the bottle through the dishwasher initially to sterilize. All parts are dishwasher-safe, or they can be hand-washed. The bottle and sleeve may be boiled together. You don’t need to remove the sleeve to wash the bottle, but if you wish to remove the sleeve, it comes off best in warm, soapy water. Nipples should be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher only.
6. Do Lifefactory bottles have a venting system?
   Yes, our bottles have a traditional venting system, in which ridges are located on the flange of the nipple. Tightening the ring too much will prevent ventilation and may cause nipple collapse.
7. What kind of nipple is on Lifefactory bottles?
   Our nipples are made of silicone produced in France, where our manufacturer is that country's leading supplier of nipples. The nipples that come with our 4 oz. bottles are Stage 1 (0-3 months), and those that come with our 9 oz. bottles are Stage 2 (3-6 months).
8. Does Lifefactory carry other Stage nipples?
   Yes. All of our nipples—Stage 1 (0-3 months), Stage 2 (3-6 months), Stage 3 (6+ months), and the Y-cut nipple—are available at our online store. You can also check with your local Lifefactory retailer for availability.
9. Will other nipples fit this bottle?
   Yes, any standard size nipple will fit on our bottle. Wide neck nipples will not fit.
10. Your nipples are not marked according to Stage. How do I tell them apart?
    The difference between the various nipples is flow rate, which is determined by the size of the opening. As it is difficult to distinguish the hole size on a nipple by simply looking at it, we recommend washing the nipples separately according to Stage, or not opening new nipple packages until the nipple Stage that it contains is appropriate for use. Our nipples are not labeled according to Stage for manufacturer-related reasons.
11. Does Lifefactory sell replacement parts?
    We sell replacement glass bottles, silicone nipples, solid caps for breast milk storage, and caps/ring/stopper sets. Find them at our online store.

Lifefactory Beverage Bottles

1. What is the new Lifefactory Beverage Bottle?
   In our first major product line extension, we've introduced a product for adults: a 22 ounce (650ml) glass bottle with a removable silicone sleeve that is ideal for people who carry water with them in the car, outdoors, in the office, or at the gym—or even for use at home. If you typically use bottled water, the Lifefactory Beverage Bottle is perfect for you.
2. How is the Lifefactory Beverage Bottle different from (and better than) plastic or metal reusable bottles?
   First and foremost, it's glass, which means it's free of BPA, phthalate, PVC, and polycarbonate—nothing can leach into your water or other beverage in a glass bottle. Glass is also taste-neutral; no plastic or metallic taste will affect your beverage. The patent-pending silicone sleeve adds a distinctive touch to each bottle, and makes the bottle easier to grip and helps protect it from breakage. The silicone sleeve is also non-toxic and plastic-free. Finally, the wide-mouth design makes it easy to fill (add your own ice, citrus slices, tea bags, etc.), easy to drink from, and easy to clean.
3. How do I wash/sterilize the bottle and its parts?
   Lifefactory bottles can be initially sterilized in a dishwasher (all parts are dishwasher-safe) or can be handwashed. You don’t need to remove the sleeve to wash the bottle, but if you wish to remove the sleeve, it comes off best in warm, soapy water.
4. Do you make a sports type cap with a narrower opening? 
   A sports type cap is in development. We expect it be available in late 2010.