What is a Tawashi Brush?
By Fable Staff
A Tawashi Brush is a kitchen cleaning staple in many kitchens around the world.
This brush is durable and long-lasting and is excellent for cleaning pots, pans, kitchen sinks, and so much more. They are great for heavy-duty scrubbing, but the bristles are not tough enough to scratch cookware.
At Fable, the Tawashi Brush is key for keeping your stoneware stain and scratch-free. We view it as the preferred tool to use to keep our products looking like new for years.
Here, we are going to go over the history of the brush and all of the different ways you can use it in your home.
What Is A Tawashi Brush?
The Tawashi Brush has been around for over 100 years and is almost the same today as the original.
The brush was invented in Japan by Seizaemon Nishio in 1907 using palm fibers. There are two different stories on how the brush came to be. The first is that his inspiration came from watching his mother tirelessly clean the home. He wanted to repay her by creating a tool for effortless scrubbing.
The second story is that he was actually trying to invent a bristle doormat, but someone else beat him to the patent. His wife then used the pieces of the mat to clean around the house. When he saw how well it worked, he created the brush.
No matter which origin story is true, the brush became a very useful, and famous, tool.
Its full name is Kamenoko Tawashi. In Japanese, kamenoko means "baby turtle," and tawashi means "brush." Nishio thought his invention looked like a turtle, a reptile that is a symbol of good luck in Japan.
The brush is now made with waterproof fibers that are bent for increased durability. A metal wire loops in the center, creating a built-in hook for convenient use and storage.
How to Use a Tawashi Brush
If you're looking for an eco-friendly tool, Tawashi Brushes are the perfect option. Fable's Tawashi Brush is made from premium quality palm bristles. They are durable and 100% biodegradable, and this tool is bound to become a kitchen cleaning staple in your home.
Once you use a Tawashi Brush, you may never want to touch a sponge again. Studies have shown hundreds of bacteria strains can live in a sponge. In contrast, the bristles of a Tawashi Brush stay much cleaner.
Here are a few reasons you should start using these Japanese scrub brushes.
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Clean Food Residue: The brush can remove food even without soap. It is designed to scrub away grime with just water. They work well at getting off stuck-on food on pots and pans.
They are also safe to use on a seasoned cast iron skillet. Since you're not supposed to use soap on cast iron, these brushes work perfectly. They will remove the food without lifting the seasoning or scratching them.
You can also use the brush to clean things like the stovetop and oven racks.
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Clean Garden Vegetables: They are also useful when it comes to cleaning garden vegetables.
The palm bristles aren't soft enough to use on soft-skinned vegetables and fruit, like peaches or plums. However, they work brilliantly at removing the dirt off root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and radishes.
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Eco-friendly Option: In contrast to plastic scrub brushes or artificial sponges, the Tawashi Brush is made from natural palm fibers that are fully biodegradable when removed from its little metal hanging hook.
Since the bristles are strong enough to work on their own, you can avoid using chemical cleaners. They also dry quickly and won't hold on to odors like a sponge so that you can use them for longer.
Removing Scratches From Stoneware
Another significant use, and the one that's perhaps the most important to us here at Fable, is the Tawashi Brush's ability to clean stoneware.
While our stoneware is highly durable, its semi-matte finish can sometimes get scratches on it from your silverware; the Tawashi Brush can make your ceramics look good as new.
Here is a step-by-step to taking care of your stoneware with a Tawashi Brush.
Step 1
First things first, you will need a scouring powder. This product contains oxalic acid that can break down and remove stains. It is non-abrasive and safe to use on many different surfaces. Scouring powder is also great for helping to remove scratches on hard surfaces like stoneware.
You don't need to buy anything with harsh chemicals. And, if you don't have a scouring powder on hand, you can mix together lemon juice and baking soda and then make a paste with water.
To use it, rub it over the surface with a small amount of water. The powder helps remove grease and other hard stains from your dishes, as well as any imperfections.
Step 2
Once you have your paste, take your Tawashi Brush and give the surface of your ceramics a hearty scrub.
You shouldn't have to scrub very hard or for very long. In a few seconds, you should be able to achieve what you need.
Step 3
Simply rinse off the scouring powder with soapy water, and your dishes will be as good as new. Scouring powder and your Tawashi Brush can also clean stove tops, counters, porcelain, and tile. The possibilities are endless.
In Summary
A Tawashi Brush is a versatile tool that is essential in any home.
Its bristles don't hold onto bacteria like a sponge, making them a great option to clean your stoneware and everyday cookware. The palm bristles aren't soft enough to use on fine china but can be used on many other surfaces. You can even use them to scrub the dirt off your root vegetables.
These brushes are also durable, so they will last for a while, but are also biodegradable, making them eco-friendly. They work well at removing scratches on stoneware that occur from silverware. You can use a scouring powder to scrub off food and gently brush away any scratches. If you don't have a scouring powder on hand, you can easily make one using ingredients you can find in your kitchen.
Fable's Tawashi Brush is premium quality and will help you clean your kitchen and tableware with minimal effort, and maximum effect. Once you get one, you won’t know how you lived without it—trust us.
Sources:
Tawashi: definition of Tawashi and synonyms of Tawashi (English) | Dictionary Sensagent