Safety Disclaimer for Reusable Grow Mediums

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE USE

This Safety Disclaimer applies to all reusable grow medium products sold by On The Grow, LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By purchasing, handling, or using any of our reusable grow medium products, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this disclaimer.

I. GENERAL DISCLAIMER & LIMITATIONS

A. Material Transparency & Informed Use

On The Grow, LLC provides information about product materials, testing results, and intended use to the best of our knowledge and based on information provided by our suppliers and third-party testing facilities. However, users are strongly encouraged to conduct their own independent research and make informed decisions about which growing products align with their personal preferences, growing practices, safety expectations, and risk tolerance.

B. Personal Responsibility & Assumption of Risk

BY PURCHASING AND USING THIS PRODUCT, YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS USE, including but not limited to risks of:

Physical injury from sharp edges or improper handling
Material degradation over time
Crop contamination from improper cleaning or maintenance
Any other hazards inherent to growing product use

Growing methods, materials, and comfort levels vary from person to person. It is solely your responsibility to evaluate whether any grow product aligns with your individual needs, safety expectations, and growing goals.

C. No Warranties or Guarantees

While materials used in our products are selected with safety, performance, and durability in mind, we make no express or implied warranties regarding:

Complete freedom from wear, degradation, or material breakdown over time
Suitability for any particular purpose beyond general growing applications
Specific crop yields, quality, or safety
Absolute performance consistency across all environments and use conditions

Product performance and longevity may vary based on environmental factors, handling practices, cleaning methods, frequency of use, and individual growing conditions.

D. Not Medical, Health, or Food Safety Claims

These products are intended as growing accessories only. On The Grow, LLC does not make and expressly disclaims any medical, health, nutritional, or dietary claims regarding crops grown using these products. Proper food handling, sanitation, washing, and safety practices remain entirely the responsibility of the user. We recommend following USDA and FDA guidelines for safe food handling practices.

II. PRODUCT-SPECIFIC SAFETY INFORMATION

A. STAINLESS STEEL REUSABLE GROW MEDIUM

Material Composition

Our stainless steel reusable grow medium is manufactured using 316-grade stainless steel (also known as marine-grade stainless steel), selected for its superior corrosion resistance and suitability for high-moisture growing environments. We maintain supplier certifications for material specifications on file.

⚠️ SHARP EDGE WARNING - HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE

This product contains inherently sharp edges that pose a significant risk of cuts, lacerations, or puncture injuries if not handled properly.

REQUIRED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Wear protective cut-resistant gloves when handling, cleaning, installing, or moving the medium
Keep fingers away from edges
Store in a safe location away from areas where accidental contact may occur
Never handle carelessly or without attention to edge locations
Exercise extreme caution during all cleaning and maintenance procedures

Inspection & Maintenance

INSPECT BEFORE EACH USE. Immediately discontinue use if the stainless steel medium shows any of the following:

Excessive sharpness beyond normal manufacturing edges
Warping, bending, or structural damage
Rust, corrosion, or discoloration (though rare with 316-grade steel)
Loose pieces, fragments, or separation of materials
Any condition that increases risk of injury

Prohibited Modifications

DO NOT CUT, BEND, GRIND, WELD, OR RESHAPE THIS PRODUCT. Any modification:

Significantly increases risk of injury
May compromise structural integrity and corrosion resistance
Voids any responsibility on the part of On The Grow, LLC for resulting damages or injuries
May create additional sharp edges or hazardous conditions

Children Safety Warning

NOT FOR USE BY OR NEAR CHILDREN. Due to sharp edges, this product must not be handled by children under any circumstances. Adult supervision is mandatory if this product is used in any area accessible to children.

B. SILICONE REUSABLE GROW MEDIUM

Material Composition

Our silicone reusable grow medium is manufactured using virgin, food-grade silicone with an internal fiberglass reinforcement core designed to provide structure, flexibility, and durability. The silicone material has been independently third-party tested by our supplier and certified for FDA compliance for food-contact applications.

Material Characteristics & Wear

Silicone is a synthetic polymer (siloxane-based, containing silicon and oxygen) and is chemically distinct from traditional carbon-based plastics. However, like any reusable material, silicone products may experience gradual wear, surface changes, or degradation over time depending on:

Frequency and intensity of cutting or trimming
Cleaning methods and chemical exposure
Environmental factors (UV exposure, temperature extremes, humidity)
Physical abrasion or rough handling
Age and cumulative use cycles

While silicone degradation differs chemically from traditional plastic breakdown, proper care, gentle handling, and appropriate cleaning methods help maintain product integrity and extend usable life.

Safe Cutting & Modification Guidelines

When cutting or trimming the silicone medium to size:

Use sharp, clean scissors or cutting tools designed for silicone materials
Cut slowly and deliberately on a stable surface
Avoid excessive force or sawing motions that may tear the material
Keep fingers clear of cutting path
Smooth any rough cut edges if necessary
Modification is performed at your own risk

Inspection & Maintenance

INSPECT BEFORE EACH USE. Immediately discontinue use if the silicone medium shows any of the following:

Excessive wear, cracking, or surface deterioration
Tearing, splitting, or separation of layers
Exposure of internal fiberglass reinforcement material
Discoloration, odors, or signs of mold/bacterial growth not removed by cleaning
Loss of flexibility or structural integrity
Any condition that suggests material breakdown

Cleaning & Care Recommendations

Proper cleaning and sanitization extends product life, maintains hygiene, and ensures safe growing conditions for edible crops.

Routine Cleaning (After Each Growing Cycle)

Rinse with warm water to remove plant debris
Wash thoroughly with mild dish soap and warm water
Use a soft brush or sponge to clean textured areas and perforations
Rinse completely under running water until no soap residue remains
Shake off excess water and air dry completely before storage or reuse

Deep Sanitization (Recommended Weekly or Between Different Crop Types)

Boiling Water Method (Most Effective):

Bring a large pot of water to rolling boil
Fully submerge silicone medium for 5-10 minutes
Remove with tongs and allow to cool and dry completely

Dishwasher Method:

Place on top rack of dishwasher
Run full hot-water cycle with heated dry (150°F+ recommended)
Allow to air dry completely if needed

Hydrogen Peroxide Method:

Mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts water
Soak medium for 10-15 minutes
Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely

What NOT to Use

❌ Bleach or chlorine-based cleaners (can degrade silicone and leave harmful residues)
❌ Abrasive scrubbers (steel wool, hard brushes, scouring pads)
❌ Harsh chemical cleaners (ammonia, oven cleaners, or non-food-safe products)

Proper Storage

Store only when completely dry (2-4 hours air-dry time typical)
Keep in cool, dry location away from direct sunlight
Store flat or loosely rolled; avoid tight creasing or folding
Do not store in sealed plastic bags (can trap moisture)

When to Replace

Discontinue use and replace the silicone medium if you observe:

Persistent odors that do not resolve with sanitization
Tears, splits, or visible degradation
Exposed internal fiberglass reinforcement material
Mold that returns immediately after deep sanitization
Surface feels sticky, tacky, or otherwise degraded

For detailed care instructions, refer to our blog post: Meet Our New Reusable Microgreen Grow Medium - Silicone

Children Safety Warning

NOT A TOY - NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN. This product is a growing tool and must not be used by children. Adult supervision is required at all times if this product is used in areas accessible to children to prevent choking hazards, misuse, or accidents.

III. UNIVERSAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS (ALL PRODUCTS)

Intended Use Only

All reusable grow medium products are designed and sold exclusively for use as plant growing media in microgreen, sprout, and small-scale growing applications. Any use outside of the intended purpose constitutes misuse and is undertaken entirely at your own risk.

Adult Use & Supervision Required

These products are designed for use by adults age 18 and older who understand and can follow safety guidelines. Children must not handle these products without direct, continuous adult supervision.

First Aid & Injury Response

In the event of any injury:

Immediately cease use of the product
Seek appropriate medical attention for cuts, lacerations, or other injuries
Follow standard first aid protocols
Discontinue use of the product if it was involved in the injury until it can be inspected or replaced

Contact Customer Service

If you have any questions about safe handling, use, maintenance, or any safety concerns regarding our products, please contact our customer service team before using the product:

Email: info@onthegrow.net
Website: www.onthegrow.net

IV. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

On The Grow, LLC, its owners, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any injuries, damages, losses, claims, or expenses (including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages) arising from or related to:

Purchase, handling, use, or misuse of any product
Improper handling, cleaning, storage, or maintenance
Modification, alteration, or use outside of intended purpose
Failure to follow safety instructions or warnings
Material wear, degradation, or breakdown over time
Crops grown using our products
Any other cause related to product use

You acknowledge and agree that your use of these products is at your own risk and that you are solely responsible for any consequences resulting from such use.

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory upon which any claim is based, including but not limited to negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, or any other theory.

V. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

ALL PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, On The Grow, LLC disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to:

Implied warranties of merchantability
Implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose
Implied warranties of non-infringement
Any warranties arising from course of dealing or usage of trade

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusions may not apply to you in their entirety. In such cases, warranties are limited to the minimum period required by applicable law.

VI. GENERAL LEGAL PROVISIONS

Governing Law

This Safety Disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding related to this disclaimer or the products shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in United States of America, Texas.

Severability

If any provision of this Safety Disclaimer is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if such modification is not possible, such provision shall be severed from this disclaimer. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

This Safety Disclaimer, together with our Terms of Sale [if applicable - link to separate document], constitutes the entire agreement between you and On The Grow, LLC regarding the safety warnings and liability limitations for our reusable grow medium products.

Modifications

On The Grow, LLC reserves the right to modify this Safety Disclaimer at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. Your continued use of the products after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised disclaimer. We recommend reviewing this page periodically for updates.

Acknowledgment of Understanding

By using any On The Grow, LLC reusable grow medium product, you acknowledge that:

You have read and understood this entire Safety Disclaimer
You agree to be bound by all terms, warnings, and limitations contained herein
You voluntarily assume all risks associated with product use
You accept sole responsibility for safe handling, use, and maintenance

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions about this Safety Disclaimer or need clarification on any safety matter, please contact us before using the product:

On The Grow, LLC
709 West Rusk Suite B-908, Rockwall, Texas 75087
Email: info@onthegrow.net
Website: www.onthegrow.net

SAFETY FIRST: When in doubt, reach out. Your safety is important to us.