FAQ

Where does cork come from?

Cork is the bark of the Cork Oak tree, which grows naturally in all
countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea. The vast majority of the
world's cork comes from Portugal, with Spain coming in second, followed
by Italy, Tunisia, France, Morocco, and Algeria. In Portugal, cork
mainly grows in the southern region of Alentejo. The Cork Oak is
protected by law in Portugal against being cut down or harvested out of
season, as the tree plays an integral role in the culture and economy.

Does cork harvesting harm the Cork Oak?

No! Cork bark is carefully removed from the Cork Oak with a specialized
hand-axe by trained professionals, without harming the tree in any way.
The harvesting of cork bark ensures that cork forests are taken care of
and maintained. Also, this removal of the tree's outer layer of bark
allows the tree to begin a regeneration process, where it is able to
produce more oxygen and absorb more CO2 than before the harvest. This
harvesting also extends the lifespan of the tree.

Is cork endangered?

Not at all! The Cork Oak is not an endangered species, although cork
forests are home to hundreds of endangered species that would not
survive outside of these ecosystems. This seems to be a widely diffused
myth, but in fact, cork oaks are in no way threatened. Harvesting the
bark from the cork oaks actually benefits the health of the tree and the
cork forests. You can read more about this topic in our blog article "Myths About Cork - Exposed!"

Where do your cork products come from?

Our products are sourced from ethical and sustainable brands located in
Portugal, France, Germany, Spain, the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
Our brands all produce their handmade cork items from high-quality
Portuguese cork. You can read about each of the brands whose products we
carry in our store on our Artisans Page.

Is cork durable and/or water-resistant?

Yes, cork is both durable and water-resistant! Cork can be compared
to genuine leather in terms of its durability, and is known to "break
in" and "gain personality" much like their cow-leather counterparts -
with none of the animal cruelty and environmental harm.

Cork is also naturally water-resistant without the need to use any
resins to seal the material. This is due to cork's natural cellular
structure, which consists largely of a wax-based substance, that keeps
water, moisture, dirt, dust, and mold from being absorbed into the
material. You can read more about the unique properties of cork on our
page "What is Cork?"

How is the cork fabric dyed?

Cork leather is dyed using plant-derived, water-based, and non-toxic dyes to achieve beautifully colored hues.

Does my cork bag need to be treated?

No! There is no need to treat your cork bags or accessories with any
additional products. Just a quick and simple occasional cleaning with
soap and water is all that it takes to keep your cork items in prime
condition. (Note: Cork yoga mats should be cleaned and left to air after
each use.)

How do you clean cork?

To clean cork products, just use a cloth dipped in either warm water
alone or slightly soapy warm water, and lightly clean the material in a
circular motion until all visible dirt is removed.

Are the products at HowCork completely vegan?

Yes! All of the products sold at HowCork are 100% vegan and Certified
Vegan by PETA. You can read more about the PETA Approved Vegan
Certification in our article "HowCork is PETA Approved Vegan!"

How does cork compare to leather?

Cork has all of the qualities that one would expect from genuine
leather, in terms of its durability over time, improvement with
continued use, and smooth and soft texture. However, cork is very
different from leather in terms of its production methods. Cork comes
from the bark of a tree, not the skin of an animal, and therefore is a
cruelty-free material. It also does not cause any pollution or waste in
its life-cycle from bark to bag, which cannot be said for leather. Find
out the whole story here in our article "Cork vs. Leather."

How does cork compare to other vegan leathers?

Cork is one of the most natural, beautiful, and durable vegan leather
options on the market today. Many "vegan leathers" are made from
synthetic petrochemical-derived fabrics such as PU or PVC, which while
not directly harming animals, is still not environmentally friendly.
Cork holds up extremely well over time, with a longevity comparable to
genuine leather. Not only is it one of the most durable vegan leathers
available, it is entirely made from plant material and does not require
any chemical coatings on the material to keep it from breaking down. You
can read more in depth on this subject in our article "What is Vegan Leather?"

What are your shipping rates?

We use calculated shipping rates to determine the cost of shipping for
each individual order. When you place an order, you can choose your
preferred courier between USPS and UPS (as well as DHL for international
orders), and your shipping costs will be calculated by using the weight
of your package (based on item and box weight) and the distance
from our location in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to you. You can read more
on our Shipping & Tracking page.

Do you have a physical store location?

Currently, we only have an online store! However, if you are in the
South Florida area, we may be coming to a pop-up venue near you in the
future!

Is there someone that I can talk to if I have any questions?

Absolutely! Just reach out on our live chat, send us an email, or give
us a call and we will respond as quickly as we can. We are available
from 8 am - 8 pm EST to help if you have any questions or if you would
just like to talk to a real person!

Why should I shop at HowCork?

HowCork brings the most authentic, handmade, and natural cork bags,
wallets, accessories, and yoga mats straight from our favorite brands
from around the world to you. Cork is an integral part of the Portuguese
culture and economy, and we think it deserves the same level of
recognition and use in the whole world!

In our store, you can find a curated collection of high-quality cork
products from 15 incredible brands all in one place. Shop with
confidence knowing that everything in our store is vegan and ethically
made. We ship worldwide from our small Florida storeroom location, and
offer free US shipping on orders over $75.

By shopping at HowCork, you are supporting the health of the cork
forests of the Mediterranean, the individual artisans behind the brands
who make the products in our store, and our small, family-run company.

Do you offer returns if I do not like my product?

Yes! If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can
send it back for a full refund! However, return shipping costs are the
responsibility of the customer. See our Returns and Refunds page for more details about how to request to return an item.

Is there a warranty on my purchases from HowCork?

All of our bags and wallets made by Corkor have a two year guarantee
in the case of manufacturing or material defects, as long as the product
has been properly used and has not been altered in any way. However,
natural imperfections in cork itself are normal and not considered a
defect.

If you receive any item from our store that is damaged upon arrival, we will send you another one free of charge.