Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Object of Desire: Nawrap Binchotan Charcoal Dish and Bath Cloths from Japan

Search

Object of Desire: Nawrap Binchotan Charcoal Dish and Bath Cloths from Japan

April 16, 2018

Spotted recently: kitchen and bath towels from Japan featuring the antibacterial properties of binchotan charcoal. The most common use of binchotan, which is charred Japanese oak, is to purify water. (See The Binchotan Boom: 10 Ways to Use Charcoal at Home.) But Japanese brand Nawrap has begun making towels with binchotan charcoal infused into the fibers, so they’re naturally resistant to bacterial growth—which, according to the company, means hardworking, often damp kitchen and bath towels will stay smelling fresh for far longer than they otherwise would.

Photography courtesy of Nawrap.

nawrap purple dish towel
Above: Nawrap binchotan charcoal dish towels are a blend of rayon and cotton and have a textured surface for efficient cleaning.

Nawrap has been manufacturing cloth (originally mosquito nets) since the 1930s, and offers a full line of kitchen and bath towels with and without charcoal infused.

nawrap binchotan towels 2
Above: The towels are several layers woven together to increase absorbency. They’re stiff when they arrive, but soften after a soak in water and will continue to soften with use.
nawrap binchotan towels
Above: Though the towels can be washed in the washing machine, Nawrap insists they not be put in the dryer. The main reason, the company told us, is because they will shrink. “Another issue is that because they are woven with a traditional Japanese technique and have anywhere from four to ten layers of material, the dryer will cause the fabric to crimp a bit.”

nawrap tea towel 2
Above: A set of two antibacterial Tea Towels is $22 at Amazon.
But know that the dryer will not affect the cloths’ absorbency or antibacterial traits, Nawrap says. “The charcoal is permanently infused into the fiber, so you don’t have to worry about it dissipating.”

nawrap dishcloth 2
Above: If you wash dishes with cloths (instead of brushes or sponges), read the positive reviews of Nawrap’s Natural Dishcloths on Amazon. A set of two is $16.95 at Amazon.
nawrap body wash towel
Above: The Nawrap binchotan Body Wash Towel is a long rectangle—12 by 34 inches—so you can scrub in the shower; $15 at Amazon.
Object of Desire Nawrap Binchotan Charcoal Dish and Bath Cloths from Japan portrait 11
Above: Beauty editors recommend you change your pillowcases often (to keep bacteria at bay). Nawrap’s binchotan charcoal pillowcase, shown in natural, could help; $32 at Amazon.

nawrap binchotan pillowcase
Above: The pillowcase is 18 by 26 inches, and will shrink by 10 percent after the first laundry wash.

nawrap neck towel
Above: Binchotan’s antibacterial properties are ideal for sweaty gym towels. The Neck Towel in natural is $13.95 at Amazon.
For more in Japanese design across our sites, see:

(Visited 280 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0