The Giant, Odor-Free Minimalist Travel Towel

Do you have a problem with smelly towels? We always did, but no more! Over here, especially during Italy’s rainy season, towels take a long time to dry. So unless washed after each use, they turn sour-smelling, and so unpleasant to use!

But how can we wash them daily when it rains? Like a good portion of Italians, we don’t own a clothes dryer. So I’d long hoped for a solution, both for at home and when we travel.

And I know plenty of missionaries have these same difficulties. Especially those living in more humid climates than ours!

We’d tried microfiber towels, touted as minimalist. But we found they still got smelly, and weren’t very absorbent. And then, at last, I found them — odor-free minimalist towels! The TURKISH PESHTEMAL!

The Peshtemal is ideal towel!

1. Absorbent, yet quick-drying

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

2. Compact and lightweight

Easily fitting in 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 one-bag travel! And even if our hosts forget to put towels out, we can still have our sunrise shower. Or grab them for a surprise trip to the beach. We never travel without them!

4. Super soft, and only gets softer with washing

Which makes it ideal to use even on 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 during travel.

Other uses for the Peshtemal:

• As beach towel
• As a lightweight shawl
• As a small warm weather sheet
• As a wrap for your baby
• As a swimsuit cover
• To wrap around like a sari or sarong as a make-shift bathrobe
• Gather and tie the ends together to form a carry sack

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

We also have two nicer Peshtemal towels: slightly larger and thicker, usually saved 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 above link. Or check out some great prices through Amazon.

After seeing how well the Peshmetal works for us, I replaced all our terry cloth. Which is great, because now towel storage is no problem at all in our small house!

They’re space-saving too!

All our towels (except those in use) now fit into this small box (approx. the size of a box for mens’ running shoes).

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

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

Images: Towels by Engin_Akyurt | Hanging towel by Emmanuel.butot.