A tawashi (たわし or 束子, lit., a bundle) is a scrubbing brush for wet cleaning,[1] of a style that is popular in Japan.[2][3] Traditionally, tawashis were made from the hemp palm.[4][5] In Japan, sponges used for rubbing and washing are now treated as forms of tawashi. A metallic tawashi (金属たわし, kinzoku tawashi) is made of metal; steel, stainless steel, and brass are frequent choices. They may be used in removing scorching and rust.

Types

Several synthetic polymers are frequently seen:

  • A polyurethane sponge is sometimes called sponge tawashi (スポンジたわし, suponji tawashi).
  • Nylon sponges, sometimes called nylon tawashi (ナイロンたわし, nairon tawashi), are suitable for washing tough stains, but should not be used on delicate items.
  • An acrylic tawashi (アクリルたわし, akuriru tawashi) is made of acrylic, typically knitted or crocheted.
  • A luffa sponge, or luffa tawashi (ヘチマたわし, hechima tawashi), is used as a body scrub.
  • In recent times, some tawashis are crocheted from cotton yarn, producing the eco-friendly tawashi (エコたわし, eko tawashi), which is scratch-free, and used for dishes and small cleaning jobs. (The prefix eco- (エコ) indicates that it creates less pollution because it can be used without soap or detergents.[6])
A popular Japanese design for a tawashi, said to resemble a young turtle
A yellow polyurethane sponge with a green nylon sponge. It is called sponge tawashi in Japan.
A luffa sponge, called hechima tawashi in Japanese
Tawashi from late Edo period
Tawashi for sale

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sheets, Cassie. "3 reasons you should buy these Japanese scrub brushes". missoulian.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  2. ↑ Stinchecum, Amanda Mayer (April 5, 1987). "Shopper's World: Kyoto's Handmade Brushes". New York Times. p. A6.
  3. ↑ "Simple Clean Washing". Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Oda, Shuko (June 19, 2018). "Tawashi Brush: I'd Be Lost Without My...". Financial Times. p. 57.
  5. ↑ Writer, JENNIFER KOPF | Staff. "Kitchen Essential: tawashi brush". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  6. ↑ Ogawa, N. (September 9, 2009). "Magically Clean Eco Tawashi". Make. 9: 114.
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