A well-maintained sauna is the key to years of relaxation, health benefits, and memorable moments with family and friends. Sauna care should be simple, practical, and an integral part of your routine. Whether your sauna is nestled indoors or stands proudly as an outdoor cabin like Hetki Saunas, a little effort will keep your personal retreat in top condition for many years to come. Here’s our little guide to help you maintain a lasting, hygienic, and inviting sauna.
1. Start with Personal Hygiene
Cleanse Before You Enter
Maintaining a clean sauna begins with you. Before stepping into the sauna, take a warm shower to wash away dirt, sweat, and body oils. This practice not only benefits your personal health and safety but also shows respect for other users by preventing impurities from settling on the wooden surfaces.
Use a Towel or Bench Cover
Place a clean towel or bench cover on the seating to absorb perspiration and prevent stains on the wood. Keep an extra towel handy to wipe away excess sweat during your session. Whether you prefer to sauna naked, wrapped in a towel, or in a swimsuit, ensuring your attire is clean is essential for optimal hygiene and comfort.
Use Soft or Filtered Water
Since hard water contains magnesium and calcium salts that can leave limescale deposits when the steam condenses, we recommend using soft or filtered water. This practice helps avoid buildup that can be difficult to clean, keeping your sauna surfaces pristine.
2. Immediate Post-Session Care: Drying and Ventilation
Efficient Drying is Key
After your sauna session, proper drying and ventilation are essential. If water pools on the floor, gently direct it toward the drain using a floor spatula to speed up the drying process. Remove any seat covers, towels, water buckets, or non-slip mats promptly.
Keep the Heater on Briefly
To facilitate drying, keep the heater running for about 15 to 20 minutes after use. Then, open the ventilation hatch – and if possible, leave the door slightly ajar for a couple of hours. This continuous airflow ensures that moisture is fully expelled, helping to prevent mold, rot, and rust that could damage the wooden surfaces.
3. Regular Cleaning: Keeping Your Sauna Pristine
General Interior Maintenance
• Vacuum or Sweep: Regularly remove dirt and debris from the sauna floor.
• Wipe Surfaces: Use a dry or slightly damp cloth with warm water and a mild, wood-safe cleaning solution (pH between 8 and 10) to gently clean benches, backrests, and those parts of walls that are leaned against, as well as other surfaces that are frequently touched by sauna users.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of strongly alkaline or chlorine-based cleaners, ammonia, benzene, or abrasive materials. Instead, opt for a soft brush with fine bristles or a gentle sponge to avoid damaging the wood.
Enhance Natural Freshness
The natural aroma of the wood is one of your sauna’s charms. For a subtle fragrance, consider using natural ingredients such as lemon slices, mint leaves, lavender, or a few drops of essential oils instead of chemically based air fresheners. A whisk made of birch – called vihta or vasta in Finnish – also brings a fantastic natural aroma to your sauna.
4. Detailed Cleaning of Key Areas
Benches, Backrests, Footrests, and Walls
• Warm Water Wash: Wash the benches, backrests, footrests, and walls with warm water to open the wood grains, making it easier to remove dirt and sweat.
• Thorough Rinse: Don’t forget to clean underneath the benches and between the boards or planks where perspiration tends to accumulate.
• Stain Removal: For stubborn marks or small scuffs, lightly use fine sandpaper along the wood grain. After sanding, rinse with cold water to close the pores, then dry the area by briefly increasing the heat.
Floor Care
• Regular Sweeping: Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dust and small debris, such as stone crumbs.
• Gentle Cleaning: For floors with a varnished finish, use a neutral detergent to clean without causing scratches.
• Drain Maintenance: If your sauna has proper drainage, such as in Hetki Saunas, clean the floor drain to ensure proper water flow and prevent blockages.
Ceiling and Windows
• Minimal Water: The ceiling typically needs only a dry or slightly damp cloth to remove dust, so avoid soaking it.
• Window Cleaning: Use gentle, neutral window cleaners and soft cloths for cleaning windows, taking care not to scratch the glass. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth or spatula.
5. Periodic Deep Maintenance
For saunas in regular use, a deeper maintenance routine should be performed once or twice a year to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and hygiene. This includes thorough cleaning, inspection of key components, and preventive care to maintain a high-quality sauna experience.
If you notice anything unusual, such as heater malfunctions, poor air circulation, or increased moisture retention, consult a professional for further inspection and maintenance.
Heater & Sauna Stones
Regularly inspect your heater. Maintaining the heater not only ensures efficiency but also extends its lifespan.
The heater and sauna stones are at the core of the sauna experience, and their proper maintenance is essential for efficient heating and enjoyable steam. At least once a year, remove all sauna stones and clean them with fresh water. Inspect the stones by tapping them together—if they crumble or show signs of yellowing, they should be replaced. Depending on usage, a full stone replacement once a year is often recommended.
Clean the heater’s stone compartment by gently wiping away dust and stone debris with a damp cloth. Ensure that the heating elements (resistors) are fully covered with stones but not bent. When restacking, position the stones to allow proper air circulation, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing overheating. Check for limescale stains on the heater’s surface and remove them using a mixture of water and vinegar or citric acid powder.
Wood Inspection & Treatment
Check all wooden surfaces for signs of wear, cracks, or moisture damage. To extend the lifespan of the sauna interior, consider applying a sauna-safe wax or oil to completely dry wood. This creates a breathable, water- and dirt-repellent layer. Always test the treatment on a small, hidden area first to ensure it does not alter the wood’s color.
Additionally, check that the benches, railings, and other similar parts are securely fixed and not loose. As Hetki Sauna is made almost entirely of wood, a natural material, expansion and contraction of wood due to sauna humidity and temperature variations may occasionally loosen the fastenings.
Cleaning & Resin Removal
Softwood used in saunas may naturally release resin over time, particularly in high temperatures. Allow resin droplets to harden before carefully scraping them off with a sharp knife to maintain a clean and smooth surface.
Drainage & Ventilation Check
Good airflow and proper drainage are essential for a well-functioning sauna. Clean ventilation channels and floor drains to prevent blockages and ensure excess moisture is efficiently removed.
6. Extra Considerations for Outdoor Saunas
Outdoor saunas face additional challenges due to weather conditions. In addition to the indoor maintenance routines, consider the following:
• Inspect for Weather Damage: Regularly examine the exterior for signs of wear such as peeling wood, loose fasteners, or discoloration.
• Low-Pressure Washing: Gently wash the exterior with a low-pressure hose or damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, and mildew without damaging the wood.
• Protective Stains: To maintain the original color of your sauna, use a breathable, UV-resistant wood stain designed for outdoor use. Avoid varnish or film-forming paints that can trap moisture and harm the wood.
• Drainage and Foundations: Ensure that drainage systems under the sauna are clear to prevent water accumulation. Periodically check the structural integrity of the foundation and ground under your sauna to confirm that the sauna remains stable and secure.
7. Embracing a Routine That Pays Off
Maintaining your sauna is not a monumental task – it’s a series of small, consistent actions that together create a lasting, healthy, and enjoyable environment. By incorporating these practical tips into your routine, you protect your investment and enhance your overall sauna experience. From personal hygiene before entry, through immediate post-session care, to detailed monthly and seasonal cleaning, each step is vital for longevity and performance.
If ever in doubt, you can always consult with professionals – us at Hetki, our authorized resellers, or other sauna industry experts – who can provide additional advice or maintenance services for that professional touch.
A little effort goes a long way in preserving your sauna as a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. With proper care, your sauna will continue to provide a consistently blissful retreat – whether it’s an indoor sanctuary or a charming free-standing outdoor cabin. Sauna maintenance is easy, and with these instructions, you’ll have everything you need to keep your sauna in excellent condition for years to come.