A Bathroom Essential: The Peshtemal Towel

You probably don’t think about towels everyday, but we think you should. It is an essential element of the everyday bathing experience! But take it from us, It’s the simple things like having a better towel that can make this everyday task wonderful. The Turkish bath towel — also called Peshtemal, Hammam or Fouta towels — is experiencing another revival and we want you to know what all the fuss is about!

The use of peshtemals stemmed from their use in traditional hammam bathhouses in the middle east, which was an integral part of everyday life that fulfilled a significant social, cultural, and physiological role in society. Now, peshtemals have made it’s way to pool sides, beaches, spas and bathrooms all around the world! If you don’t have one already, it’s about time you get one, and make it your new favourite bath and home accessory.

Turkish Towels Vs. Standard Terrycloth Towels

Turkish bath towels are made of Turkish cotton — a premium cotton with extra long fibres — and are lightweight, soft, robust, extremely absorbent and incredibly versatile. They are typically larger than the standard towel, yet only weighs about a third of a terrycloth towel of the same size. This is because peshtemals are flat-woven with a smooth, soft texture. They are also known to become even softer, fluffier, and more absorbent with successive washings due to it’s unique material and its superior weave technique.

Fashionable & Decorative

Functional and decorative, turkish towels are all the rage right now, but they always have been, and always will be. They are simple yet refined. The thinner fibres and flatweave means more intricate designs can be achieved for a peshtemal than a regular terrycloth towel. They are timeless beautiful works of art that are sure to impress your guests hanging in your bathroom or draped over the couch. Whether you like bold bright colours or plain neutrals, simple solids or patterns, there is a design out there that will tickle your fancy and fit your home aesthetic.

It’s a 7-in-1 towel

Aside from its use in the bathroom, peshtemals can be used as a scarf, a summer throw, a picnic blanket, a tablecloth, a yoga mat cover, and as a coverup. To add, the Turkish towel's beautiful designs, lightweight, and ability to pack tightly mean it’s pretty much synonymous with beach vacations as their large size and high absorbency make it the perfect beach towel as well, and just having one around the house during the winter months can be enough to inspire a warm getaway.

Eco-friendly

These towels will appeal to the environmentalist in you. In general, peshtemals are made of 100% cotton — a sustainable material — and in many cases naturally dyed! Moreover, peshtemals are so lightweight, they are more energy-efficient than a typical terrycloth towel. They dry much faster, thus don't take on a musty smell...the result - they don't need laundering as often. And when it comes time to wash them, they take much less space in the washer and much less time in the dryer.

Ideal for allergy suffers

Without the conventional loop/pile construction of a standard terrycloth towel, the flat weave and fast drying action mean that peshtemals trap fewer allergens. Making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

Turkish towels are truly a simple luxury that can elevate your bath experience and add a little flare in your life! Have we converted you yet? Here are some of our favourite designs and sources: