About Us
Picture of Rex, the former owner of EFC Manufacturing Co for last 40 years. With me, Jo Murphy, new owner, and hopefully, owner for next 40 years!
In 1970's, a Sydney inventor came up with an idea to solve one of life's little problems - balls of wool on his wife's worn knitted sweaters. This would save her hours of picking each woollen pill off, one by one - by hand.
Turns out lots of other people had the same problem and it sold millions in lots of countries around the world.
The unique design with specialised materials doesn't harm the yarn, as it's combed over the knit, which makes it so unique.
Over the years, lots of people have tried to copy the comb, (even the colour) but none comes close to matching the quality of The Original Fabric Comb, known also as the EEZY™ Fabric Comb.
We make & sell 2 tools:
- EEZY™ Fabric Comb; and
- Super EEZY™ Fabric Comb
They are still the finest quality, most effective, Fabric Combs on the market today.
We believe that good design never gets old.
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And I also believe in timing.
In 2017, my mother and I were diagnosed with cancer, in the same month.
It was a scary and confusing time for all of us, not knowing what the future held, and I needed flexibility for whatever we were facing, so I resigned from my dream fashion job.
A few months later, I met Rex, the 84 year old businessman & owner of EFC Manufacturing Co, that produced the EEZY™ Combs. He mentioned that he wanted to sell, or close, the business.
I had discovered this product in a Laura Ashley store about 15 years ago, and was so excited I bought one for everyone I knew. I couldn't believe that such a simple, inexpensive little tool could transform my cherished knits from old to new again!
I still have those combs today. (pictured)
Buying the business has allowed me to own a product that I am passionate about, and believe in wholeheartedly.
I'm not a natural salesperson, but I when I believe in something that's useful, and has integrity, it doesn't feel like selling to me.
Being a manufacturing business, the sale included the original machinery, and tooling, that was held in different businesses in Melbourne.
It wasn't large enough to house everything under one roof, and it still works this way.
There's no machinery line churning out EEZY™ Combs.
Each one is hand-assembled, by different small businesses around Melbourne and share the same integrity, and old-fashioned-ness.
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When I met Rex a few years ago, I wasn't aware of the larger, wooden-handled comb that had been sold to the Dry Cleaning industry for over 40 years.
It had been designed at the same time as the smaller EEZY™ Comb, but it hadn't been available to households.
I thought that it was just a fantastic tool that other households may find very useful. Including chunkier knitwear. It's an all-rounder.
It especially handy to use on soft furniture, or furniture covered with fabric. It gets rid of pet hair, fuzz balls or pilling, dust, and lint from:
- Couches,
- Chairs,
- Ottomans,
- Dining Chairs,
- Upholstered Bedheads
- Rugs
- Carpets
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I was lucky to spend my childhood on a remote Victorian farm that grew wheat and sheep, so I'm no stranger to the machinations of running your own business, and producing products - even if it might be from the sheep's back. (You could say I'm doing the same thing ;)
I even juggled a fashion degree whilst having 3 children (patient husband!) so I was determined to be around this magnificent natural fibre.
Because of this, I have a great love and appreciation of making things by hand, or the land, particularly wool, having seen it grown, shorn, processed into the beautiful knitwear we all love.
I'm passionate about extending the life of woollen knitwear, to keep wearing it again and again. I want to bring awareness to people that this fantastic little product will transform their knits, and there's no need to throw them out, and buy new.
With a fashion background, I know first-hand it's an unsustainable model for our future. If we can provide the community with a simple tool that can reinvigorate knits and furniture, we can keep loving them a bit longer.
Sign up for our EEZY Update every few weeks via email, or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for lots of How-To's and Tips.
I even got my Mum involved in showing me (us!) How to Darn. I hate it when I find a hole in my knits. But surprisingly, it's an EEZY fix. (**pun intended**:))
I'd love to hear any comments that you may have using the fabulous Eezy Combs, and a short video would be unbelievably appreciated!
Use #eezycomb or #supereezycomb and tag us at @theoriginalfabriccomb on Instagram 🙏
THANKS for reading to the bottom!
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