Frequently Asked Questions

Nature Explore works closely with many partners and talented craftspeople all over the United States to bring you our field-tested items. For this reason, your order may arrive in multiple shipments. Each item has its approximate ship time in the item description. Some items ship in 1-2 days while other, hand-crafted items, can take approximately 4 weeks to ship. Because we rely heavily on natural, untreated wood products that are hand-crafted to order, we can occasionally experience delays when the climate is unusually wet or when items are in high demand. If you are working on a tight deadline or installation schedule we advise you contact Customer Service so that we can do our best to meet your needs.

Shipping Rates:

Shipping costs for all orders shipping within the contiguous U.S. are 15% of the merchandise total, with a minimum of $8.95.

Shipping charges to AK, HI, PR & International can be requested by contacting Customer Service at (888) 908-8733.

Orders can be placed online, via fax (402-467-6118), email ([email protected]), or phone (1-888-908-8733 x1).

Requests for quotes can be called in or emailed to [email protected]. Please be sure to include complete shipping and billing information including emails and phone numbers, along with the items and quantity of each being requested. Quotes are good for 30 days.

For complete order instructions, a copy of our W-9, and detailed purchasing terms and conditions, see Order Form and Purchasing Information.

Sales tax is collected for orders shipping to Nebraska and Washington. If you are placing an online order on behalf of a tax-exempt organization you will need to create an account (or login to an existing one) upon checkout. If you would like to place your tax-exempt order through any other method please have your tax exempt ID number available.

Many Nature Explore items, such as tree cookies, balance beams, tables, seating, and instruments, are created from natural, untreated wood products and require regularly scheduled, routine maintenance in order to enhance safety and extend the life of the item. Some items arrive with an initial coat of sealant while others do not, please see product highlights for specifics. For additional information on what to expect from and how to treat your natural wood products, see Important Facts About Natural Wood Products.

When cleaning wooden toys such as blocks, special care should be taken to avoid soaking them as wood is naturally porous and can warp when it absorbs too much liquid. It is recommended to wipe clean your items with a solution of detergent and water, towel dry excess liquid, and then allow to air dry. (We love setting them in the sun to dry.) If sanitation is desired, use a health and safety approved sanitation solution such as: bleach and water, vinegar and water, or an alternative non-toxic cleaning solution.

As some of the larger natural wood products such as balance beams, benches, tree cookies, etc., become acclimated with your local environment and seasons, it is a natural possibility for mildew discoloration to appear. Fortunately, this is easily remedied by following the instructions below:

To remove the mildew, sand the area and follow-up with a bleach/water/detergent solution.

Apply the following solution liberally to the wood and allow to set for about 10-15 minutes:

·         3 quarts water
·         One quart common household bleach
·         ¼ cup maximum of liquid dishwasher detergent (ammonia-free)

The bleach is the key component that actually kills the mildew. Allowing this solution to set for 10-15 minutes gives the bleach time to settle into any crevices and hard to reach places to kill all the mildew present. Skipping this 10-15 minute set time may result in an inadequate job. The detergent is added in a small amount to help emulsify any mildew or dirt to aid in its removal. Liquid dishwasher detergent is the best choice as it will not foam like regular dish or laundry detergent.

We ask that you please open and inspect all packages immediately. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return the item within 30 days of receipt for a refund of the purchase price*. Qualified returns after 30 days are subject to a 15% restocking fee and must meet eligibility requirements. Please see full details on our Warranties, Returns & Exchanges page.

*Refunds are for the cost of the products only. Shipping fees are not included in refunds.