From the article “Immerse yourself in Turkish Bath products” in Wall Street Journal Europe, 28/01/05, interview with Burcu Travis, owner of Orientum and information on Turkish bath products, also taken from the Orientum website.
“…Although there are a lot fewer hamam these days, the tradition of fine bath accessories continues. In the past decade, more and more manufacturers in Turkey have returned to making high quality products such as towels, bathmats and robes in traditional ways-weaving silk, cotton, linen and wool on old-fashioned looms and relying on organically grown cotton and vegetable dyes instead of chemicals, according to Burcu Travis, the Turkish owner of Orientum, an importer and retailer of Eastern bath products in London. These manufacturers are gearing up to meet the rising demand from consumers for environmentally friendly products. ‘People value them much more.’ Ms Travis says……”
“…..Ms Travis’s Web site, www.orientum.com , sells high-end Turkish-made towels(about £35,or roughly €50, for a large plush bath sheet) and other products for the hamam…..”
“…..Scrubbing is the essence of the Turkish bath experience, Ms Travis says. ‘Turkish people would regard themselves as dirty if they didn’t take some skin off’ A variety of exfoliating products are available to help you create a home hamam…”
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Orientum
This London-based company sells top Turkish bath products over the internet. The luxury hamam basket makes a great starter set and includes soap, bath oil, a pumice stone, a peshtemal (thin towel used in Hamam) and exfoliating scrubs.