How to Maintenance

Natural materials for cleaning

The cleansing method of these wood wares has been the same for ages; cooking rice with the same pot used for milling, transferring it to the rice bucket, then washing the bucket with palm scrubbing brush and rice bran that was extracted during the milling process. Our unique goal is to deliver the entire experience of a natural lifestyle, from production to the cleaning process. Rice bran not only absorbs the dirty oils but doubles as a finish that polishes, leaving behind the aromatic qualities of rice bran oil. The wooden counters at sushi restaurants are always so clean because the chefs polish it with rice bran everyday. For households that don’t have access to rice bran, we have organic rice bran (no use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers) available, that is made in collaboration with the farmers growing the inochi no ichi rice. 

The scrub brushes which made from hemp palms wash so that the fibers scratch out the dirt. As it’s a natural palm brushes that is softer and more flexible than palm scrub brushes, it can only removes dirt without damaging the surface of the lunch box or the “Ohitsu”.

Clean the lunch box with rice bran.

The outer surface of the bento box can be washed using rice bran, but for inside the box, we have created a special cleansing balm, the Tsunekichi original beeswax. The balm is made with cedar oil extracted from excess saw dust, natural bees wax, and walnut oil blended together. Taking a small amount of this and rubbing it on the surface will protect the wood from drying out and cracking, allowing for a polished, long lasting finish. 

Tsunekichi special product "Mitsurou Baum"
Baum manufacturing process
Baum manufacturing process

How to care: the important 3 points

  1. Use a palm scrubbing brush and wash with hot water at 50 to 60 degrees Celsius.
  2. Wipe off the water with a clean cloth.
  3. Dry it well in a well-ventilated shade with it facing up.
  • Hot water makes it easier to remove dirt and dry.
  • If you use a sponge, the wood grain will get dirty, but the palm scrubbing brush will also remove the dirt from the wood grain.
  • Wipe off the moisture with a kitchen cloth, etc., and lean it upwards to dry it in the shade in a well-ventilated place.

The points before use
Before use a Bento-box, please you dip it in water , wipe it well with a kitchen cloth, and add rice in a moistened state it. It makes to prevent rice from sticking, you can reduce the time and effort required to wash your Bento-box.

How to Maintenance of the surface

Take the beeswax with a dry sponge or cloth and gently apply it along the grain.
Beeswax permeates and an oil film is formed on the surface to protect and enhance the beauty of the wood grain.
Apply 2-3 times, and then wipe with a dry cloth to remove excess oil.
Be sure to wash the used sponges and cloths, and don’t stack them with beeswax attached. There is a risk of fire.

State of maintenance