Photography courtesy of Nawrap.
Spotted recently: kitchen and bath towels from Japan featuring the antibacterial properties of binchotan charcoal.
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.
Nawrap binchotan charcoal dish towels are a blend of rayon and cotton and have a textured surface for efficient cleaning.
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.
Though the towels can be washed in the washing machine, Nawrap insists they not be put in the dryer.
“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.”
A set of two antibacterial Tea Towels is $22 at Amazon.
If you wash dishes with cloths (instead of brushes or sponges), read the positive reviews of Nawrap’s Natural Dishcloths on Amazon.
The Nawrap binchotan Body Wash Towel is a long rectangle—12 by 34 inches—so you can scrub in the shower; $15 at Amazon.
Beauty editors recommend you change your pillowcases often (to keep bacteria at bay).
The pillowcase is 18 by 26 inches, and will shrink by 10 percent after the first laundry wash.
Binchotan’s antibacterial properties are ideal for sweaty gym towels.