How To Clean A Sauna
Wonder how you should clean your first barrel sauna? Or perhaps you might be a gym owner wondering how to clean your public sauna safely…
In all cases, you’ve come to the right place.
Cleaning a sauna is not that difficult, there’s only some things to be aware of when you decide to maintain your valuable spa.
So, let me show you how to clean a sauna, the right way!
Key Takeaways
Why Is It Important To Clean A Sauna?
In a hot and steamy place, where sweat is everywhere, and sweaty, naked people sit and touch the wood and the whole interior….it is important to clean it!
Here’s why it’s important:
- Avoid mold forming
- Avoid bad smells in the sauna
- It increases the effectiveness of the sauna
- Increase its lifespan
And an investment such as a barrel sauna, lifespan is important…
How To Clean A Sauna?
Cleaning the sauna is relatively simple, but there are some do’s and don’t you have to be aware of.
Remember: When cleaning your sauna, turn it off until the temperature is normal again. Do not deep clean your sauna while it is hot…detergents and products will not react well.
Now, let’s explore each sauna part individually.
The Floor
Cleaning a sauna floor is like any regular floor: Mop it with a damp cloth, or any mop you have, and use a mild detergent.
For any debris or dirt, a regular sweep or vacuum can do the trick just fine!
Sauna Wood (Bench, Seats, Walls)
Cleaning sauna wood is different from regular wood. That’s because the variation of temperature, especially hot, can cause different reactions in the products used.
One common example is paint or any artificial finish used on the wood. These coats can overreact to the heat, making it way too hot to sit on during usage. It also prevents the wood to absorb and release heat for moisture.
For benches and seats, brush the stains with a mild detergent (again, chemical-free). You can use warm water, or even a damp cloth (but not too wet as it damages the dry wood) to scrub over the stain.
If the stains won’t go, then your best option is to use sandpaper to sand the wood to get that new wood look. Just make sure you cover the rocks and heater when doing so. The debris or grit can go into the sauna heater.
Heaters And Rocks
Although not as frequently, heaters and rocks are also part of your sauna maintenance.
You should clean your heaters once in a while, depending on the usage. After the heater is cold, you can clean it with vinegar (natural cleaning solutions or specialized solutions) and a sponge.
As for rocks, you need to replace them once or twice every year. You can also clean them with warm water to remove debris on the surface.
Generally, you can tell you need to inspect the heater/rocks area when the sauna takes longer than usual to heat up, as it hurts the effectiveness of the sauna and limits the benefits you get from it.
Buttons and Accessories
The buttons, switches, buckets, door handles, and everything that is often touched in the sauna also need to be addressed.
You can disinfect them with any natural disinfectant such as lemon water or vinegar, or again any sauna-specific solution.
PS. The ventilation grates must also be disinfected as well.
Mold
Sometimes, mold can form in your sauna. That’s normal since it tends to be a moist environment, ideal for mold.
Treat it immediately with bleach or with a sauna solution. As mentioned earlier, make sure the sauna is turned off.
This is one of the exceptions when we are using chemicals, so make sure the sauna is not hot, and resume your sauna bathing only when the bleach is gone.
The best way to treat mold is to prevent it. That can be done by airing the sauna when not using it. Simply leave the door open to prevent a moist environment, and keep your sauna clean.
The Air In The Room
Since we all know that funguses and bacteria’s prime environment is moist and humid, it’s important to address the air in the room of the sauna.
The solution is simple: After using the sauna, keep the door open to let the air out and fresh air in.
This reduces the humidity of your sauna and significantly lowers the chances of mold and bacteria thriving.
Outside Of The Sauna
If you happen to have an outdoor sauna, like a barrel sauna, then pressure washing the outside usually does the trick, since it’s already weatherproof and made to handle the outside.
For indoor saunas, it’s better to simply wipe the outside with a microfiber towel (or damp cloth) to get rid of dust.
More About Sauna
Like this guide, check out more sauna posts!
How Many Times Do You Need To Clean The Sauna?
When it comes to how often you should be cleaning a sauna, it depends on each part.
Cleaning it after every use is not very convenient, and you have to remember that a sauna cleans itself due to the high temperature.
- The floors should be cleaned after every use. That’s because this is where the sweat will accumulate while you’re in there. Just a quick pass of the mop will do the trick.
- You should clean the wood (bench, wall, seats) at least once a week, or any time you see a sweat stain. For grit sandpaper, once or twice a year is good enough.
- The heater can be cleaned once a month, and the rocks should be changed once or twice a year. Just remember that when the sauna isn’t heating up properly, then it’s your sign to clean this part.
- Obviously, anytime you see mold, you should address it.
Things To Avoid Cleaning The Sauna With
Here’s a list of products/methods to AVOID when cleaning and maintaining the sauna:
Here’s what’s okay to clean the sauna with:
What Happens If You Don’t Keep Your Sauna Clean?
As much as a sauna is capable of cleaning itself, it does need our maintenance and regular cleaning. But what happens if we don’t?
Is it dangerous? Is it toxic? Here’s what happens when your sauna isn’t clean:
Mold
We already discussed about mold in this article, but let’s understand why it’s dangerous for you.
Mold can lead to allergy reactions, infections, illnesses, and other health-related problems such as skin problems (eczema).
It can also contaminate the air, and in a sauna, that isn’t ideal, considering you’re there to get healthier.
Smelly
One of the biggest results of not cleaning your sauna is the most straightforward: your sauna will smell bad.
That’s because not cleaning forms bacteria, which thrive in moist environments. Also, the dirt left untouched in there can produce a bad smell as well.
Lower Life Span of Your Sauna
Over time, the material (especially the wood) can degrade and lose its effectiveness, making your sauna’s lifespan shorter.
That’s not fun, considering buying a sauna is not that cheap…
Plus, as we discussed earlier, it hurts the effectiveness of the sauna if not cleaned well such as with the heater and rocks, where it can take longer to heat up if they are left dirty.
Health Problems…Yes or No?
In the sauna world, there is a big debate whether a dirty sauna is considered toxic, and can cause health problems.
The simple answer is: No, there are no studies that confirm that a dirty sauna can cause significant damage to one’s health.
That’s because the microbes found in a sauna are part of the human flora.
Of course, mold forming is another thing. But generally, the microbes and bacteria in a sauna die pretty quickly because of the dryness and heat of the sauna
To catch any disease from the sauna, you would have to be in direct contact with another person, which is pretty rare.
But that does not mean that you shouldn’t clean your sauna…
As we saw, a dirty sauna is, quite simply, disgusting, and it hurts the sauna itself, as well as ruins the experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why you should clean your sauna, but the most important one is common sense. In a place where people sweat, hygiene should be considered.
And as you saw in this article, cleaning the sauna is not rocket science…it’s like cleaning any part of the house, and does not require specific procedures: Simply scrub and mop!
And by far the best way to keep your sauna clean is to think of preventive methods, and what better way to do so than to ask every user to shower before entering the sauna?
This will solve 60% of your problems right there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I clean a sauna?
To clean a sauna, start by removing any debris and wiping down all surfaces with a damp cloth. Use a sauna cleaner or a mixture of warm water and detergent to scrub away any dirt or sweat stains. Rinse thoroughly and ensure proper ventilation.
What is the best way to maintain a sauna?
To keep your sauna in top condition, regularly clean and disinfect all surfaces. Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots on the wood. Keep the door open when not in use to promote airflow.
How can I protect the sauna bench?
Protect the sauna bench by wiping it down after each use to remove sweat and oils. Consider using a sauna-specific cleaner to maintain cleanliness and prevent staining. Sand the bench occasionally to keep it smooth.
What are some tips for cleaning the sauna interior?
For cleaning the sauna interior, focus on the cedar wood surfaces. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to wipe down all surfaces, making sure to dry them thoroughly afterward. Regular cleaning will make it easier to maintain your sauna over time.
How often do you need to clean a sauna?
It is recommended to clean your sauna at least once a month, or more frequently if it gets heavy use. Regular cleaning will prevent dirt buildup and prolong the life of your sauna.
Can I use bleach to clean the sauna?
While bleach can be effective for disinfecting surfaces, it is not recommended for regular sauna cleaning, unless it is to remove mold. Bleach may damage the wood and affect the sauna’s aroma. Opt for mild detergents or sauna cleaners for routine maintenance.
How do you clean sweat out of a sauna?
The best way to clean sweat out of the sauna is to mop it if it is on the floor. On the sauna wood, use a brush or a damp cloth (or microfiber) and scrub the sweat with warm water and mild detergent (too strong will damage the wood). For extreme cases, sand the wood.
