Tagua Nut Buttons and Pendants

'vegetable ivory'

The Extraordinary Choice

Sustainable, renewable, fashionable and beautiful

As lovely as elephant ivory...without the harm

Tips for Use and Wear

These buttons have been colored with aniline dyes, making them colorfast, washable and drycleanable.

The Tagua nut is a product of nature and the following care instructions are recommended.

Tagua nut and other cellulose buttons, including wood and coconut shell, will benefit from a light polishing with Pledge or other fine wood care products.  Spray a little Pledge onto a soft cloth and polish the buttons with the sprayed cloth.  Be sure to polish the entire button:  front, back and sides.  This should not change the appearance of the material but will add a light waterproof coating.  The Tagua, like all wood/cellulose products tend to absorb water when wet.  While a gentle washing of a hand knit, sewn or quilted item, should not damage the button, this little extra care will insure against any change in the button from an unplanned extended submersion in water.  Occasional re-polishing, after 4 or 5 washings, is desirable. 

While Tagua is actually as strong or stronger than mammal ivory, here is a good way to protect special buttons, especially the finely lasered Tagua, from abrasion when washing or dry cleaning.  This method is also recommended for horn, glass, pearl/shell and buttons with embellished surfaces. 

Make A Button Sandwich:  Purchase a length of "hook and loop" tape, approximately 1/2" to 1" WIDER than the button.  The more height to the button, the wider the tape.  Leave the tape connected.  Measure the width of the button connected and cut pieces that are 1/2" to 1" longer than the button.  Now, separate the hook from the loop side and cut a slit in the hook (*hard) side the width of the button.  This piece of hook tape should JUST allow the button to pass through.  Be sure the 'working' side of the hook tape is facing you.  Now place the "loop" piece on top of the button, loops facing the hooks, making sure the tape forms a 'seal' around the perimeter of the button, sealing the button 'inside'.  This process is a little like making a button sandwich.  The button is now protected front, back, and sides. \

After washing or cleaning, these covers can be 'unbuttoned' and saved to use again. 

Please note:  it may be best to remove very large or delicate buttons, and reattach them after processing an article or garment.  dp