【Apparel Items】

Q

Washi fibre products are made of “paper”. Are they vulnerable to water? Will they break when they get wet?

Q

Can it be washed using washing machine and dryer?

Q

How long can it be used?

Q

Is the material soft to the touch?

Q

What is Washi’s raw material?

Q

Why is it “soft on the skin”?

Q

What is “OEKO-TEX® Certification”?

Q

What is “humidity”?

Q

Is there a UV-cutting effect on Washi fibre? Is it processed with chemicals?

Q

What does “earth friendly” means?

Q

Why are Washi socks odourless?

Q

Why is it called “Space Socks”?

Q

Is “Face Washcloth” disposable?

Q

Is “Face Washcloth” similar to a whistling net?

Q

Besides online shop, where can I get the products?

【Apparel Items】

QWashi fibre products are made of “paper”. Are they vulnerable to water? Will they break when they get wet?

AThey will not melt/tear/wet because they are waterproof; they can be washed multiple times.

Paper is often thought to be vulnerable to water, but Curetex’s Washi fibre products are water-resistant and will not melt, tear or break when they get wet.

In the first place, Washi itself is water-resistant, even though it is paper. It is made stronger and more durable by being spun and dried in the sun in the process of making it into fibre.
You can wash any item (socks, inner, towels, scarfs, etc.) repeatedly.

 

QCan it be washed using washing machine and dryer?

AIt can be washed multiple times using washing machine but cannot be dried using dryer.

Curetex’s Washi fibre products can be washed at home, including socks, innerwear, towels and scarfs.
For home laundry, put them in a net and use neutral detergent for washing using a washing machine.
Please avoid using bleach/fluorescent agents and tumbler drying.
In addition, please be careful as it may transfer when washing with coloured items.

If the product is a mix of Washi fibre and other materials, follow the washing method that matches the material other than Washi fibre.

 

QHow long can it be used?

AIt has high durability and can be used for a long time.

There are many customers who regularly use Curetex’s Washi fibre products; depending on how they are handled and how often they are washed.
Even socks, which are used under severe conditions such as pressure, friction, dirt and sweat, can been used for several years.

High durability and long-term use also means excellent cost performance.

 

QIs the material soft to the touch?

AIt has a soft texture that is done by our original manufacturing method.

Curetex’s Washi fibre has a gentle touch that allows you to feel the natural freshness of plants.

The original manufacturing method, which is particular about manual work, realizes a soft texture that cannot be thought of as paper while taking advantage of Washi’s unique sharpness.

 

QWhat is Washi’s raw material?

AWashi is made of natural Manila hemp.

Curetex uses Japanese original paper made from Manila hemps as raw material for its fibres.

The raw material used is Manila hemps that grow naturally in the forest.
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not used because they are not agricultural products grown by humans.
Manila hemps are fast-growing perennial plants that, even after cutting, regenerate in about 3 years and do not lead to deforestation.

 

QWhy is it “soft on the skin”?

AIt is hypoallergenic because its raw materials (natural plants) are made into fibres with less usage of chemicals.

Curetex uses Washi made from natural Manila hemp as fibre with a unique manufacturing method that saves the use of glue and other chemicals as much as possible.
It is gentle to the skin because it is close to natural plants; low irritation and can be used for babies and those that have sensitive skin with confidence.

Moreover, there is no tingling sensation even when it becomes fibre. This is because Washi is less furry.

The international safety standard, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, is an objective proof of “kindness” and “reliability”.
Curetex’s Washi fibre has obtained this standard with the strictest regulation value “Class I”.
It is recognized as “safe for the skin of babies with weak skin.”

If you have sensitive skin, we recommend that you select “Generate” as the product colour.
It is not dyed with dyes and does not use bleach.

Some products are mixed with materials other than Washi fibre.
If you have allergies such as “silk” and “cotton”, please check the materials carefully and avoid materials that do not fit your own constitution.

* P.S. Not all people are allergic to silk and cotton.

 

QWhat is “OEKO-TEX® Certification”?

AIt is an inspection and certification system based on global standard that proves the safety and security of textile products.

OEKO-TEX® is a certificate that complies with the laws and regulations of countries that are stricter than Japan; it is an important indicator for transactions and consumption as proof of the world’s highest level of safe textile products.

The certification organization, OEKO-TEX® International Community, is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland; with a total of 18 inspection and research institutions, 17 in Europe and 1 in Japan.

A rigorous analytical test for more than 300 hazardous chemical substances not only proves that no harmful substances are contained in the human body, but also a production system that takes into consideration of the environment and workers. For example, working environment in the manufacturing process and factory wastewater.

It is a proof of “a textile product that is friendly to people and the earth.” In Europe, it is said that it is “normal” to check the OEKO-TEX® label when shopping for clothing.

Curetex’s Washi Yarn has obtained OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification with “Class I”, the strictest regulation value.

“Class I” is a class corresponding to textile products for infants, which is required to have a particularly high level of safety among OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
In other words, it is recognized as “safe even if a baby puts it in his/her mouth”.

 

QWhat is “humidity”?

AA feature that absorbs and dissipates sweat that has been evaporated; keeping it dry.

Washi fibre is generally excellent in “water absorption” that absorbs sweat; it is also characterized by “hygroscopicity” that absorbs evaporated sweat.

Among them, Curetex’s Washi fibre has higher surface area than normal Washi fibre; it exhibits even higher water and moisture absorption.

It has high water absorption and hygroscopic properties, and it is easy to absorb hard sweat and evaporated sweat.
That is “humidity control”.

The sweat that comes out of the body and the moisture when it evaporates can cause discomfort such as skin swelling and stickiness.
That is why if the material that comes in contact with the skin has the ability to absorb moisture quickly and dissipate it; the comfort when wearing it will increase.

Curetex’s Washi fibre, which excels in humidity control, is smooth and difficult to sweat even when sweating, making it ideal for items that touch the skin.

 

QIs there a UV-cutting effect on Washi fibre? Is it processed with chemicals?

AThe “natural UV-cutting effect” of the plant as raw material is still active even when it becomes fiber.

One of the features of Curetex’s Washi fibre is its ability to prevent ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Moreover, it is not artificially added by chemicals or processing; it can be said to be “natural UV-cutting effect”.
It does not strain or irritate the skin.

Curetex uses Washi made from perennial bark as its fibre.
In fact, trees are also damaged by UV rays. The bark has a natural ability to block UV rays to protect the inside of the trees.

Washi has inherited this “natural UV-cutting effect” and is not damaged during the process of making Washi into fibre.
Therefore, Curetex’s Washi fibre is a thin and light fabric that protects your skin from UV rays.

 

QWhat does “earth friendly” means?

ASince the raw material is perennial plants that regenerate even after cutting, it does not lead to deforestation.

In Japan, papers were made by spreading bark such as “mitsumata” and “kouzo”.
This is “Washi”.
At present, “mitsumata” and “kouzo” are almost impossible to collect in Japan, and Manila hemp imported from overseas is the main raw material for Washi.

Common paper such as books, magazines, and copy papers that are familiar to modern life is “Western paper” that entered Japan during the Meiji period.
It is made by melting wood chips, extracting fibres (pulp) and drying them to harden them.

In recent years, hardwood has been increasing as raw material for pulp, but conifers are still widely used; it takes more than 20 years to grow into pulp.

On the other hand, Manila hemps, the raw material for Curetex’s Washi fibre, are perennial plants that grow naturally in Southeast Asia.
They grow quickly, and even if they are cut, they will regenerate in about 3 years; it will not lead to deforestation.

Curetex believes that Washi fibres that make use of natural perennial plants are sustainable and “earth-friendly” materials.

 

QWhy are Washi socks odourless?

AThis is because they are made of fibres with porous structure that firmly absorbs odor-causing bacteria.

Washi has many pores in long fibres and adsorbs dirt and fungi.

The properties of Washi fibres are used as they are. When they come into contact with the skin, the pores in the fibres catch dirt and bacteria.
Since the cause of odour is the growth of dirt and bacteria, the Washi fibre adsorbs and releases these; it has high “antibacterial and deodorant capability”. Thus, socks that were worn all day are odourless.

 

QWhy is it called “Space Socks”?

AThis is because Curetex socks are used for astronaut’s inboard clothing.

A public recruitment of clothing for astronaut's life in spacecraft was held, and in 2010, Curetex’s ankle socks were chosen.

Since it is not possible to bathe or wash in the spacecraft, it must be clean and has no smell even if worn for several days.
Curetex’s Washi fibre products have been recognized for their high antibacterial and deodorant properties, and have been used by Japanese female astronauts in spaceships; meeting strict conditions.

Since then, Curetex’s ankle socks have become a main product called "Space Socks" for the company.

 

QIs “Face Washcloth” disposable?

AIt is not disposable.

If it is handled properly, such as washing and drying in the shade, it can be used for a long time until there are no irregularities in the waffle.

Curetex's Washi fibre products are not limited to face washcloth, but also socks, innerwears, towels and scarfs.
They have high strength and durability and can be used regularly for a long time.

 

QIs “Face Washcloth” similar to a whistling net?

AIt is not for foaming; it is a mitten for skin care that absorbs skin sebum and dirt with the characteristics of Washi and removes old keratin.

The porous structure of Washi fibres gently entangles the dirt on the skin and removes old keratin without scrubbing it; leading to smooth skin without stickiness.

It is recommended for facial cleansing and face massage without facial cleansing foam, as well as foaming facial cleansing foam.

However, please avoid scrubbing your skin strongly.
It is also not suitable for makeup cleansing.

* Please read carefully on how to use it, in order to not damage your skin.

 

QBesides online shop, where can I get the products?

AWe do not have any direct-managed stores. However, there are shops that handle some of the items.

Store Name	Address	Contact Information	Curetex Washi Fiber Products
Fukui Minami Aoyama 291	Grasseria Aoyama, 5-4-41 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo	TEL: 03-5778-0291 URL: https://fukui.291ma.jp/aoyama/	Socks, scarfs, towels, oil blot handkerchiefs, face washcloths, cure sheet, etc.
Tokyo Kyukyodo Ginza Main Store	5-7-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo	TEL: 03-3571-4429 URL: http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp/	Oil blot handkerchiefs, Azuma bags with original embroidery by Hatoidou, etc.
Kawashima Paper Store	2-3 Kodenma-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo	TEL: 03-3663-3371 URL: https://www.3k-kawashima.co.jp/kawashima/	Socks, scarfs, towels, oil blot handkerchiefs, face washcloths, etc.
Hiyori Hakone-yu Main Store	702-1 Yumoto, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa	TEL: 0460-85-7055 URL: https://www.hiyori-hakone.shop/?mode=f2	Face washcloths, oil blot handkerchiefs, etc.

Fukui Minami Aoyama 291

Grasseria Aoyama, 5-4-41 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5778-0291
URL:
https://fukui.291ma.jp/aoyama/
Socks, scarfs, towels, oil blot handkerchiefs, face washcloths, cure sheet, etc.

Tokyo Kyukyodo Ginza Main Store

5-7-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3571-4429
URL:
http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp/
Oil blot handkerchiefs, Azuma bags with original embroidery by Hatoidou, etc.

Kawashima Paper Store

2-3 Kodenma-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3663-3371
URL:
https://www.3k-kawashima.co.jp/kawashima/
Socks, scarfs, towels, oil blot handkerchiefs, face washcloths, etc.

Hiyori Hakone-yu Main Store

702-1 Yumoto, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
TEL: 0460-85-7055
URL:
https://www.hiyori-hakone.shop/?mode=f2
Face washcloths, oil blot handkerchiefs, etc.

* Please check with each shop for details as the handling items may be changed or out of stock.