scrubbing brush; scourer
A stiff brush or abrasive pad used for scrubbing pots, sinks, or other surfaces. Often made from natural fibers or synthetic materials.
鍋をたわしでこする。
I scrub the pot with a scrubbing brush.
台所のシンクをタワシで磨いた。
I polished the kitchen sink with a scourer.
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
Katakana spelling is also common, especially on product packaging.
Rare kanji form; learners will almost always encounter the kana spellings.
The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb たわめる (to bend), referring to the flexible fibers of traditional scrubbing brushes.