Signora Sheila

Do you have a problem with smelly towels? We always did, but not anymore! Over here, especially during Italy’s rainy season, towels take a long time to dry. So if they’re not washed after each use, they start to smell acidic, and so unpleasant to use!

But how can we wash them when it rains? Like many Italians, we don’t have a clothes dryer. So I’ve been hoping for a solution, And I know others who have these same difficulties. Especially those living in climates more humid than ours!

We tried microfiber towels, which are touted as minimalist towels. But we found they also got smelly, and they weren’t very absorbent. And then I found what I was looking for — odor-free minimalist towels! The TURKISH PESHTEMAL!

The peshtemals is the ideal towel!

1. Absorbent, yet fast drying

Which makes it more hygienic, with fewer germs. (Germs thrive in dampness.) And did you know that germs are what cause odors?

2. Compact and lightweight

It easily fits into a carry-on bag or even some purses. Yet at 37½ x 67 inches (95 x 170 cm), its size is anything but minimal! Which makes it great to take to the beach, gym, pool, or spa.

3. Great for traveling

Especially then you’re traveling with one-bag! And even if our hosts forget to lay out towels, we can still have our sunrise shower. Or grab them for a surprise trip to the beach. We never travel without ours!

4. Super soft, it only gets softer with each wash

Which makes it ideal even for small children and infants!

5. Durable and wears well

We’ve had ours for years and they’re still holding up well! And they have many other uses as well, especially in travel.

Other uses for the Peshtemal:

• Use it as a beach towel
• Wear it as a lightweight shawl
• Use it as a small warm weather sheet
• Wrap your baby up with it
• Tie it around you like a swimsuit cover, a sari, or a make-shift bathfobe
• Make a pouch by gathering the ends and tying them together

Hence, the truly GIANT, odor-free minimalist towels — that replaced all our bulky, smelly towels. And we never travel without them!

We also have two nicer Peshtemal towels: slightly larger and thicker reserved for guests. Although we do sometimes travel with them, as they also double as lightweight blankets! You can see various qualities and sizes by clicking on the link above.

After seeing how well the Peshmetal worked for us, I got rid of all our terrycloth towels. Which is great, because now storing towels in our small house is no problem at all!

They’re also space-saving!

Yet it holds all of our towels. Although it obviously helps that we have a minimalist towel supply. But still try stuffing that many terry cloth towels into such a small box!

So if you have problems with smelly towels, try the Peshtemal!

📷 Image credits: rolled towels; hanging towel