Sauna Maintenance: The Ultimate Care Guide

Home saunas are a wonderful way to relax, unwind, and detoxify the body and mind after a long day. Fortunately, keeping your personal wellness retreat clean and functioning beautifully doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, sauna care is incredibly simple.

It all comes down to building a few good habits before, during, and after your sauna sessions. Follow these easy tips to keep your sauna in pristine condition so you can enjoy the perfect heat for years to come.

Everyday Sauna Maintenance Tips

To make your sauna maintenance completely effortless, we recommend incorporating these simple steps into your regular routine.

Pre-heat (or “cure”) your sauna
Just like pre-heating an oven, you should allow your sauna to fully come up to temperature before stepping inside. If you have a traditional sauna, this dry heat creates an environment that is inhospitable to bacteria. Aim to turn your cabin on 30 to 45 minutes before you plan to use it for the best, most hygienic experience.

Rinse off before entering
Treat your home sauna like a premium spa and take a quick shower before stepping in. This prevents you from tracking any dirt into the cabin and washes away natural body oils and lotions that might otherwise absorb into the wooden benches.

Always use a towel
While traditional sauna use is often done in the nude—which is actually much more comfortable in the heat—bringing a fresh towel with you is an absolute must. Sitting on a thick towel provides a comfortable, absorbent layer between you and the wood. Sweating is great for your body, but salt and moisture will eventually stain untreated timber. A towel is your best defense against discolored benches.

Keep the room ventilated between uses
If you have a traditional steam sauna, airflow is crucial. Warm, damp environments encourage bacteria and musty odors. When your session is over, simply open the vents and leave the door ajar for a couple of hours to let the excess moisture escape. If you have an outdoor sauna, just leave the built-in air vents open.

Wipe down surfaces
Because sauna interiors feature porous, untreated wood to safely absorb and release heat, you want to avoid harsh chemical cleaners. After your session, simply use a soft cloth dampened with warm water to wipe down the benches and backrests.

Sauna Maintenance Checks

Just like your car or boiler, your home sauna benefits from a routine health check. Taking a quick look over your cabin once or twice a year is the best way to prevent issues and ensure you get the most out of your heat sessions.

How to perform a quick visual inspection:
The easiest time to do this is right before your next session while the cabin is still cold.

• Inspect the wood: Check the benches and walls to ensure there is no significant warping, cracking, or deep staining.

• Check the hardware: Are the door hinges moving smoothly? Are all the interior lightbulbs working?

• Look at the heater:  Review the heating elements. Look for any signs of heavy scale buildup or early rust.

Sauna Heater & Stone Care

The rocks in your heater endure extreme temperature changes, which causes them to slowly break down over time. Once a year, remove all the stones from your heater. Wash them in plain water to remove any accumulated dust. As you handle them, tap them together—if they sound hollow, crumble, or have split into small pieces, it is time to replace them.

When returning the good stones to the heater, be careful not to pack them too tightly. The heating elements need plenty of space for air to flow between the rocks to generate optimal steam and heat.