Wazarashi Cotton Square Cloths, Box of 8 | sasasa

Eight cotton squares in a box that doubles as storage

Eight 35 cm squares of traditional Japanese bleached cotton, folded into a paper box. Pull out a fresh cloth whenever you need one for wiping, drying, straining or wrapping, then wash it, fold it and put it back. The box is designed to be kept and used as storage, on a kitchen shelf or in a drawer. It also makes a thoughtful small gift.

What is wazarashi?

Wazarashi is traditional Japanese bleached cotton. Raw cotton cloth is slowly boiled and bleached over several days, which removes the natural oils and starch and leaves a soft, airy fabric that absorbs water quickly and dries fast. Before paper towels, every Japanese kitchen had a length of sarashi for wiping, straining, wrapping and covering food. Think of it as something between a paper towel and a dish cloth: you can tear off just what you need, then wash it and use it again and again.

About sasasa

sasasa is the everyday line of Takeda Sarashi, a cotton bleaching works founded in 1911 in Sakai, Osaka, one of the historic centres of wazarashi production. The name comes from the Japanese sound “sa-sa-sa”, meaning quick and effortless. The brand was designed around three ideas: easy to use, easy to keep within reach, and easy to buy. Takeda Sarashi keeps chemicals and environmental impact to a minimum, so the cloth is safe for use with food.

Specifications

• Square: approx. 35 × 35 cm (13.8 × 13.8 in)
• Material: 100% cotton (wazarashi, bleached oka cotton)
• Colour: white
• Quantity: 8 squares in a paper storage box
• Made in Japan (Sakai, Osaka)

Care

• Washable and reusable. Wash before first use; the cloth becomes softer with every wash.
• Cut edges may fray a little; simply trim any loose threads.
• Dry well after each use to keep it hygienic.