I was walking down a street in Meydan, Trabzon, A city center on the Black Sea coastline of northeast Turkey, when I first saw a Turkish towel in a shop.
I instantly loved the appearance, the delicacy, and the hard work that must have gone into making this flat-weave masterpiece. It was so light that I couldn’t even feel that it was there.
My attention was drawn by the seller, as he was pointing towards many Turkish towels. There were so many colors and so many patterns to choose from.
This purchase brought a huge difference for someone using regular towels.
The next day, I went to the beach and wrapped myself with this towel. Besides giving a relaxing feeling, the towel was so light that I didn’t even notice I was carrying it.
I also realized how easy it is to handle this towel. I just shook it very gently and swiftly the sand shed already.
The towel was moderately wet but dried in less than a few minutes, even with the sun going down.
The best thing I liked about this towel was that there was no odor. It astonished me truly, and since then, I have fallen in love with Turkish towels.
This is Hira Reyhan’s initial reaction to Turkish towels when she saw them for the first time. I want to acknowledge that I gained many insights from Hira while writing this post.
In this post, We (Me, a Turkish local, and Hira, a Turkish towel addict) tried to explain everything you need to know about Turkish towels.
Why are Turkish Towels so Unique?
Here are the differences between Turkish towels and regular towels that may help you understand why Turkish towels are different.
| Attributes | Regular Towel | Turkish Towel |
| Absorbance | High absorbency | Low absorbency |
| Durability | Low, sheds very easily | High durability and does not shed. Additionally, its colors do not fade easily |
| Comfort level | Ordinary comfort, soft | Thin, firm, and smooth |
| Weight | Heavy Weight | Very lightweight |
| Drying | Hours to dry | Dries faster. No sunlight or heat is required for drying |
| Odor | May develop a bad odor | No odor at all |
| Beach Performance | Sand easily sticks | Best for the beach and is very easy to clean. |
| Space | Requires a lot of space | Easily foldable into very small size |
Turkish towels are so unique because Turkish towels are made with premium quality long cotton fibers.
Additionally, Turkish towels are woven with similar crafting techniques used by Turkish carpets, which grants them durability.
Unlike other cotton types, Turkish cotton has a light mass but long fibers woven on traditional looms. Sometimes linen and rarely bamboo fibers are added to Turkish towels.
Here are the Turkish towels’ unique properties:
- has a smooth and firm feeling
- can quickly dry in the open air and is easy to maintain
- lightweight but durable than a regular towel
- has no odor after washing but is less absorbent than a towel
- Multi-purpose towel with long-lasting colors and patterns.
- Foldable and takes significantly less space than regular towels.
Turkish towels are easy to clean even without washing. For example, you are sitting on a sandy beach on your towel. One shake, all the beach sands are gone from the Turkish towel. Try to do that with a regular towel.
What is a Turkish Towel?
Turkish towels are a type of towel and do not mean all towels “made in Turkey.”
Turkish towels are also called Peshtemal or Hammam Towels in Turkey.
Turkish towels are tightly woven, very thin towels that are designed to be long-lasting. Turkish towels are made with Turkish cotton with long fibers.
The name “Turkish towel” is given to these towels because their existence is rooted in Turkish culture, and high-quality Turkish cotton fabric is used in their making.
When cotton arrived from the new world “Americas” to the Ottoman Empire, Turkish artisans invented a new thin woven towel cloth termed as “Turkish towel”, or “Peshtemal”.
The marvelous weavers in Bursa enhanced the beauty of the towel in such a manner that Turkish towels were accepted as a special form of towels.
At that time, Turkish people had unique hand-weaving skills, and they were making famous Turkish carpets.
Since then, this uniquely crafted and woven cotton has become part of Turkish traditions and culture.
Turkish baths are a unique tradition that has been practiced since the Ottoman Empire era to this day. Turkish towels also have a strong cultural bond with Turkish hammams.
Turkish towels have many different names around the globe. The most used names of Turkish towels are Peshtemal (Peştemal in Turkish), Hammam Towels, or Fouta Towels.
Sizes of Turkish Towels
Turkish towels have different sizes. Here are common sizes by inches.
| Towel type | Size by inches | Size by centimeters |
| Fingertip towels | 11 × 18 | 30 x 45 |
| Hand towels | 16 × 28 – 30 | 40 x 70 |
| Bath towels | 27 × 52 – 58 | 70 x 130 |
| Bath sheet | 35 × 60 – 70 | 90 x 150-170 |
| Washcloth | 13 × 13 | 33 x 33 |
| Beach towel “Hammam towel” | 30 × 60 | 75 x 150 |
| Bath mat | 16 × 28 | 40 x 80 |
Where to Buy Turkish Towels?
If you are in Turkey, you will buy Turkish towels everywhere. Trendyol, the most well-known online shopping website in Turkey, has a diverse set of Turkish towels. You can check Trendyol (by clicking here) to get an idea of Turkish towels. Yet, unfortunately, Trendyol does not ship abroad.
Amazon is another perfect place for buying Turkish towels in other countries. Here are two of my favorite designs. Click to check them.
Turkish towel design 1 on Amazon and Turkish towel design 2 on Amazon
What is a Turkish towel used for?
Here are more personal experiences from my co-writer Hira about Turkish towels.
“.. a few days into using this towel, I learned all the great ways Turkish towels can be used. I was able to use a Turkish towel as a hair towel, sarong, shawl, and even as my yoga mat. This towel was one kind of deal to me, which surely seems to be an important addition to my home bathroom.
The best thing I liked about this towel was that the Turkish towel has no odor at all. It astonished me truly, and I fell in love with the world’s best towels giving me a pampered feeling.“
Turkish towels are used for many purposes. Here are some ways Turkish towels are used.
Beach-wrap
The Turkish Towel is mostly used as a beach towel. Its ability to resist the sand and quick drying making it the best choice for a beach day.
Also, it makes packing so easy because of its small size and foldable thin sheets, you can fit more than enough towels in a backpack.
Tablecloth, Picnic, and Camping blanket
Most Turkish families used to have the same cotton sheets as tablecloths on their dinner tables.
Because Turkish sheets clean very easily and are durable, Turkish towels are one of the best options for your long traveling trips. Also a must in your picnics, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Bath towel
Ideal for packing in your beach bag and even perfect for your home bathroom, make it your bathrobe and enjoy its unique qualities.
Using Turkish Towel As Clothing
You may use a Turkish towel not only when bathing but also as a long skirt, scarf, or shawl, or you can use it more creatively.
Since Turkish Towels are comfy, they are worn as stylish sarongs by girls.
Just wrap around the waist with a tuck. It looks like a trendy skirt. Girls would love it on the beach as worn around your upper body back and front, then tuck it, and enjoy the look of a lovely long dress.
Ideal for an outing at beaches and will add extra pleasure and joy while taking your pictures on the beach.
Scarf, Hair turban, or Head Towels:
Perfectly suited for winters, it can be warped around the neck softly for warmth and comfort during any traveling and long casual walks.
Turkish towels are light in weight, so they are always the preferred choice as a hair towel instead of normal towels.
Girls may wear it as turbans, which work like a magic conditioner, and quickly dries their hair.
Are Turkish towels better than regular towels?
Turkish towels dry faster and are more durable and functional than regular towels. Yet, regular towels can be better absorbent and more comfortable.
Regular towels also can develop bad odor quickly and are not easily maintainable and long-lasting as Turkish towels.
When I use regular towels at home, they look faded as their shine fades away each time I wash them.
From personal experience, I can tell you that Turkish towels don’t get old even if you wash them multiple times.
How do I wash my Turkish towels for the first time?
The very first wash is very important to know as it will loosen the fibers of your Turkish towel, making it more absorbent.
You can get the best result when you soak your Turkish towel overnight in a cold-water tub for 12 hours before washing them for the first time.
Just like other towels, the Turkish towel requires proper care to maintain its durability.
A useful tip for making your Turkish towel long-lasting is to avoid detergents and fabric softeners when washing them.
Soak them in warm water, then add little drops of white vinegar. This process enhances Turkish towels’ freshness and durability.
Check my guide on “How To Wash Your Turkish Towels?” to learn the proper ways to wash Turkish Towels.
How long do Turkish towels last?
If you wash Turkish Towels correctly, Turkish Towels are long-lasting. You can use them for years, not months. My mom still uses the Turkish towels that were gifted from his mom.
Washing your towels correctly smoothens the cotton fibers, which adds to the durability of a Turkish towel.
Do Turkish cotton towels shed?
Turkish cotton towels shed a lot less than any other towel and were durable.
Turkish Towels are made up of high-quality Turkish cotton that is famous for its long fibers. For this reason, shedding is almost non-existing.
As with any other clothing item, expect a very slow shedding.
Good care may prolong the towels’ durability.
What does Turkish cotton feel like?
Turkish cotton is grown in rather hot weather than other kinds of cotton, such as Indian or Brazilian Cotton.
The geo-agricultural aspects yield long cotton fibers because longer fibers have stronger and smoother threads resulting in reliable and high-quality cotton.
These long fibers make it softer, and if you touch them, you will realize how easy it goes with your hands. These fibers are the main difference, making Turkish cotton unique from all other cotton types.
Also, the way cotton is handled and treated is an ancient Turkish process. Turkish towels are woven like Turkish carpets (rugs).
The weaving techniques are tighter; hence, the material produced is extra smooth, which never stiffens and remains soft and thin.
Is Turkish towel seaweed edible?
A seaweed species (Chondracanthus exasperatus) is commonly called Turkish towels.
The texture of this seaweed resembles the luxurious and smooth feeling of a Turkish towel, and California locals call this seaweed species “Turkish towels.”
Real Turkish towels are not edible and are not made of seaweed. Sometimes Turkish towel seaweed species are mixed with real Turkish Towels.
This also leads to confusion, and for this reason, some people think Turkish towels are made with seaweed and are edible.
This is a misconception due to the name of seaweed.
Further Reading
How To Wash Your Turkish Towels (Step by Step Guide)
Choosing the Right Towel: Turkish vs Egyptian Towels
What is a Peshtemal? Why Should You Use Them?
17 Famous Turkish Fashion Brands That You Can Shop Online
