Sarashi / bleached cotton cloth (さらし in Japanese) is a plain woven white cotton fabric. The term "sarashi" refers to the process of exposing the fabric to sunlight and weather to whiten it. The fabric that has undergone this process is called sarashi. It is used in various cooking tasks, such as filtering dashi, covering sushi rice to prevent drying, and lining steamers. Additionally, it is handy for post-cooking cleanup, such as wiping dishes, kitchen tools, and tables.

Cut the sarashi to a convenient size for use, and after using it, wash and sun-dry it to whiten it again. Initially, the edges will fray, but after several cycles of washing and drying, the fraying will stop and the threads will no longer come loose. 

Sarashi can be substituted with paper towels or gauze. Non-woven paper towels or reusable paper towels can provide a similar experience to using sarashi. Conversely, sarashi can also be used as an eco-friendly substitute for paper towels.

Durable and highly absorbent sarashi has been used in various aspects of Japanese life beyond cooking. Its applications include diapers, kimono padding, wrapping a pregnant woman's belly, and cleaning. Wrapping a pregnant woman's belly with sarashi blessed at a shrine is believed to ensure a safe delivery while keeping the belly warm and protected from shock and strain.