Key Takeaways -

  • Cleaning a sauna is important in order to maintain its optimal health and performance.
  • Regularly brushing down the wood walls with a soft brush and warm water will help remove any dirt or buildup that may have accumulated inside.
  • Get rid of any excess moisture that collects inside the sauna. This can be done with a dry cloth or mop.
  • If you use chemicals to clean, ensure they are specifically designed for saunas so that you don't damage the wood.

Welcome to the wonderful world of saunas! Taking care of your wood-burning sauna is one of the best investments you can make for both your physical and mental health.

Regularly maintaining and cleaning a sauna helps extend its lifespan and ensures it’s always ready for use when you need some R&R.

In this article, we’ll give you our top tips on how to keep your sauna in tip-top shape so that you can enjoy it worry-free all year round. Let's get started.

Tips For Maintaining And Cleaning A Sauna? (Wood)

Safety & Maintenance For A Sauna

Keeping your sauna in good condition is all about SAFETY first. Before using your sauna, be sure to check over our safety and maintenance checklist to ensure you’re getting the most out of your sauna session:

Heater Sauna Maintenance

The sauna heater should be SERVICED and inspected by a professional at least once a year. An experienced sauna technician should also handle any repairs that need to be made.

If the heater is not functioning properly, DANGEROUS temperatures can cause serious injury, so it's important to ensure all maintenance needs are taken care of.

Temperature checking

Checking the temperature in the sauna is essential for safety reasons. Sauna users should check the TEMPERATURE periodically, especially if they are unfamiliar with their particular device or have guests using it.

Pro Tip: It's best to keep the heat below 80-90 degrees Celsius (176-194 Fahrenheit).

Wood preservation

A high-quality sauna requires regular maintenance to maintain its LONGEVITY and aesthetic qualities.

With wooden surfaces, it’s important to periodically check for SIGNS of cracking, warping, or other damage [1].

To PROTECT the wooden interior from water damage, use high-quality mineral oil or wax on all interior surface areas of your sauna. These products will help keep the wood looking great for years to come.

Pro Tip: This applies to all types of saunas, including the infrared sauna, outdoor sauna and traditional sauna.

Cleaning & Sanitation for Saunas

To ensure your sauna is FREE of dirt and bacteria, it’s important to clean the floors, benches and walls on a regular basis. Let's take a closer look at how you can do this.

Before & after cleaning routines

Cleaning the sauna regularly is essential to maintain its SANITARY conditions. Before each session, it is important to remove any dirt or debris that may have found its way into the sauna.

Floor Cleaning:

To keep the floors of your sauna clean, use a mild soap or cleaner and sweep away any debris or dust using a gentle brush. This can help prevent MOLD growth, which can harm your health [2].

Sauna Bench Sanitation:

Saunas have HIGH humidity levels, which can cause bacteria to spread quickly. To sanitize the sauna benches, use mild dish detergent and wipe away any dirt or bacteria that might be present.

Pro Tip: Sauna owners should clean their benches after each session to avoid a buildup of bacteria or mold.

Wall cleaning:

A damp cloth should do the trick when it comes to cleaning the walls of your sauna. For added protection against bacteria, you can wipe down the walls with a sanitizing SOLUTION or bleach.

Exterior Walls:

To keep your sauna looking great, you should also clean the exterior of the sauna as well as the surrounding area. Use a MILD detergent and a soft brush to remove any dirt or dust.

Pro Tip: You can use a pressure washer on the exterior but never use it inside, as this can damaged the wood [3].

Disinfectants to use and avoid

It is recommended to use natural disinfectants such as vinegar or baking soda for cleaning your sauna, as chemical cleaners can be harmful if used over PROLONGED periods of time.

Be sure to properly ventilate the sauna after use, however, as some natural disinfectants can also produce hazardous vapors when left in confined spaces.

Strategies for keeping the wood clean

Keeping your NATURAL wood well-maintained should be at the top of your list when it comes to cleaning & sanitation for saunas.

To keep wood looking its best, clean it with a mild detergent and water solution after every use, and periodically use a wood conditioner or sealant designed specifically for this purpose.

In addition, AVOIDING storing items on top of the wood can help avoid scratches that can cause discoloration or damage over time.

Let air circulate in your sauna

Air circulation is also important for keeping the sauna CLEAN and bacteria-free. To keep a fresh atmosphere, be sure to open the windows and doors regularly for ventilation and use an air purifier in between sauna sessions.

Conclusion

Maintaining and cleaning your wood-burning sauna is essential for ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can rest assured that your sauna will be in tip-top shape for many years to come.

So don't forget - safety first! And with a little extra TLC, you’ll surely enjoy your sauna worry-free all year round. Happy sauna-ing!

Sources -

  1. Niggl J. Wood Warping and How to Prevent It. Intouch-quality.com. Published 2018. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://www.intouch-quality.com/blog/wood-warping-and-how-to-prevent-it
  2. McMahon W. 5 Proven Methods To Prevent Mold In Your Sauna. Sun Valley Saunas. Published September 17, 2021. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://sunvalleysaunas.com/blogs/the-sauna-blog/how-to-prevent-mold-in-your-sauna
  3. Stanley J. 13 Things You Should Never Pressure Wash. Family Handyman. Published February 5, 2021. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-you-should-never-pressure-wash/

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