Tawashi

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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