A peshtemal (Turkish: peştemal) is a flat-woven towel traditionally worn as a wrap in Turkish hammams. Unlike a terry towel it has no loops, so it is thinner, lighter and quicker to dry. Peshtemals usually have stripes and hand-knotted or twisted tassels at each end, and outside the hammam they are often sold as Turkish towels.
Where does the peshtemal come from?
The peshtemal comes from Anatolia, in present-day Türkiye, where it has been woven for centuries as the cloth bathers wrap around themselves in the hammam. Its job is practical: it has to cover the body, dry quickly in a humid room and be easy to carry to and from the bath.
Peshtemal vs. terry towel
| Peshtemal | Terry towel | |
|---|---|---|
| Weave | Flat-woven, no loops | Looped pile |
| Thickness and weight | Thin and light | Thick and heavier |
| Drying time | Quick to dry | Slower to dry |
| Packing | Folds flat, takes little space | Bulky |
| Ends | Tassels or fringe | Hemmed |
| Feel | Smooth cloth, like a light blanket | Plush |
What size is a peshtemal?
A standard peshtemal is large enough to wrap around the body, typically around 90 to 100 cm wide and 170 to 180 cm long. The Tellak Peshtemal Towel measures 90 x 170 cm (about 35 x 67 in).
What is a peshtemal used for?
- Bath towel or wrap after a shower or a hammam-style scrub
- Beach or pool towel, because it dries fast and shakes out easily
- Gym or travel towel, because it folds flat
- Light throw on a sofa or bed
- Sarong or cover-up
How do you wash a peshtemal?
- Machine wash warm with similar colors.
- Don't use bleach.
- Line dry or tumble dry low.
- Go easy on fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and make any towel less absorbent.
How does a peshtemal fit into the hammam ritual?
In a hammam, the peshtemal is what you wear going in and what you wrap up in at the end. At home the order is the same: scrub with a kese mitt, wash with soap, then wrap up in the peshtemal. We walk through it in How to Do a Turkish Hammam Ritual at Home.