ALL ABOUT TURKISH TOWELS

All About Turkish Towels

JANUARY 2, 2012

Turkish towels are large, flat-woven towels, that were traditionally used in Turkish baths.They are super absorbent and very quick-drying. They pack light and they are versatile as you can use them in many different ways. They usually have a fringe.

They are also known as Peshtemal towels in Turkey and Fouta towels in North Africa.

The history of the Turkish towel: Turkish towels have been used for centuries in hammams, the traditional Turkish baths, and still are today. If you visit a Turkish bathhouse, chances are a Turkish towel will be the only thing you’ll be wearing while enjoying this bathing and scrubbing ritual. People around the Mediterranean, re-discovered them and they have been very popular at home, on the beach or even on sailboats since they don’t take up much space and dry even in the most humid of environments.

Use them right out of the shower and at the beach. They are very absorbent, lightweight and easy to carry, dry quickly and always smell fresh, making them perfect for everyday use. Apart from a great towel, many people use them as a shawl, a scarf, a throw or a blanket. Their compact size and quick drying time make them perfect for the bathroom, the beach, the spa, your yoga or Pilates class, home décor or a picnic.

Turkish towels are flat-woven, lightweight and thin so they dry much quicker than a normal cotton terry towel. They are larger in size (typically 80 by 40 inches), but are very compact. Compared to a thick terrycloth towel, Turkish towels take up much less space.

Turkey is known for producing some of the highest quality cotton products in the world. Our towels, robes and scarves are hand-woven from 100% Turkish cotton or linen by small, family-run textile makers in Turkey.

According to Pottery Barn, Turkish cotton is similar to Egyptian cotton. Both have extra-long fibers that result in stronger, smoother cotton threads and minimal areas where fibers are joined. Egyptian cotton towels are known for their exceptional absorbency. However, the more absorbent it is, the wetter the towel can stay after use. Towels that are too absorbent may stay damp longer in humid climates. Turkish cotton towels are highly absorbent, but they’re also efficient when it comes to drying out.