tawashi#Other tawashis
{{Short description|Japanese scrubbing brush}}
{{multiple issues|
{{one source|date=August 2011}}
{{original research|date=August 2011}}
}}
{{italic title}}
A {{nihongo|tawashi|たわし or 束子|extra=lit., a bundle}} is a scrubbing brush for wet cleaning,{{Cite web|last=Sheets|first=Cassie|title=3 reasons you should buy these Japanese scrub brushes|url=https://missoulian.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/3-reasons-you-should-buy-these-japanese-scrub-brushes/article_a2c0e677-53c9-5be0-8ddb-15f14042bc78.html|access-date=2021-01-24|website=missoulian.com|date=8 July 2019 |language=en}} of a style that is popular in Japan.{{Cite news|last=Stinchecum|first=Amanda Mayer|date=April 5, 1987|title=Shopper's World: Kyoto's Handmade Brushes|page=A6|work=New York Times|url=|access-date=}} Traditionally, tawashis were made from the hemp palm.{{Cite news|last=Oda|first=Shuko|date=June 19, 2018|title=Tawashi Brush: I'd Be Lost Without My...|page=57|work=Financial Times|url=|access-date=}}{{Cite web|last=Writer|first=JENNIFER KOPF {{!}} Staff|title=Kitchen Essential: tawashi brush|url=https://lancasteronline.com/features/food/kitchen-essential-tawashi-brush/article_c176b502-960f-11e6-9834-e33a53116d0b.html|access-date=2021-01-24|website=LancasterOnline|date=19 October 2016 |language=en}} In Japan, sponges used for rubbing and washing are now treated as forms of tawashi.
A {{nihongo|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 {{nihongo|sponge tawashi|スポンジたわし|suponji tawashi}}.
- Nylon sponges, sometimes called {{nihongo|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 {{nihongo|acrylic tawashi|アクリルたわし|akuriru tawashi}} is made of acrylic, typically knitted or crocheted.
- A luffa sponge, or {{nihongo|luffa tawashi|ヘチマたわし|hechima tawashi}}, is used as a body scrub.
- In recent times,{{vague|date=July 2017}} some tawashis are crocheted from cotton yarn, producing the {{nihongo|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{{Vague|date=July 2017|reason= wording is ambiguous.}} it can be used without soap or detergents.{{cite journal|date=September 9, 2009|author=Ogawa, N.|url=http://makezine.com/craft/how-to_magically_clean_eco_taw/|title=Magically Clean Eco Tawashi|page= 114|journal=Make|volume= 9}})
File:Tawashi Japanese scourer.jpg|A popular Japanese design for a tawashi, said to resemble a young turtle
File:Urethane sponge1.jpg|A yellow polyurethane sponge with a green nylon sponge. It is called sponge tawashi in Japan.
File:Luffa sponge.png|A luffa sponge, called hechima tawashi in Japanese
File:Japanese Edo Tawashi.jpg|Tawashi from late Edo period
File:Tawashi for sale Mar 11 2021 02-33PM.jpeg|Tawashi for sale
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Cleaning tools}}
{{tool-stub}}
{{Japan-culture-stub}}