Nothing beats the warm relaxation of a sauna. If you’re the lucky owner of an at-home indoor sauna—or are considering becoming one—you might use your sauna room as often as every day, allowing the soothing heat to alleviate sore muscles and provide a spa-like experience.
But the more you use your sauna room, the more often you should clean it. Cleaning it regularly keeps it sanitary and safe so that your enjoyment of your sauna never puts you at risk of illness or injury.
Fortunately, cleaning your sauna is nearly as simple as enjoying it. Whether you use your sauna every day or every few days, here’s your guide on how to clean a sauna.
3 Ways to Keep Your Sauna Sparkling
Outside of knowing when to use a sauna, learning how to clean a sauna is helpful to understand that proper cleaning is actually a three-pronged effort. It involves:
- Cleaning after each use
- Regular deep cleaning
- Routine maintenance
We’ll break it all down below.
#1 Clean After Each Use
Saunas are designed to be relatively sanitary, but there are steps you can take to help further eliminate and prevent germs and bacteria in this space with each use.
To keep your sauna clean on a day-to-day basis, you can give it a quick clean with the following steps:
- If your sauna uses steam or you sweat when you use it, use a towel to wipe down any surfaces that have accumulated moisture.
- Leave the sauna door open for an hour or two after use. This will allow it to air out and any additional humidity to dry.
- Look around for any signs of wear and tear. Staying on top of sauna upkeep will be easier when you’re paying attention to your sauna’s maintenance needs with each use.
#2 Perform Regular Cleaning Each Week
Aside from the minor cleaning you perform after each use, you may want to give your sauna a slightly more thorough cleaning on a weekly or biweekly basis. This involves a mixture of cleaning and a few maintenance tasks to keep the sauna in good condition.
Regular sauna cleaning should include the following:
- A soap and water rinse – Begin cleaning by rinsing sauna surfaces with warm soapy water. Stick to a mild detergent, as harsher chemicals can damage the wood and other components. Be sure to rinse away soap residue thoroughly.
- A mold check – Mold can develop saunas thanks to the warm sauna temperature and the moist conditions that are integral to the experience. Airing your sauna out and wiping down moisture after use can help keep it at bay. However, be sure to check for mold often, and if you notice any, clean it with a chemical cleaner that’s approved by your sauna manufacturer.
- Mopping – The last step of how to clean a sauna is mopping the sauna floor. Warm water and a mild detergent are enough to give the floors one final clean and help keep odors at bay.
#3 Schedule Routine Maintenance
The process of maintaining a sauna involves a little more in-depth cleaning than your daily or weekly cleanings. This sauna deep clean can be effective in helping to reduce bacteria growth and keep your sauna sanitary. You may want to plan this type of cleaning about once every month, depending on your frequency of use:
- Scrub down surfaces – Use a hand brush and warm water to scrub the walls, wooden benches, and backrests. You should scrub for about 30 seconds to properly clean sauna surfaces.
- Wipe away stains – If you notice any hard water or sweat stains in your sauna, give them additional attention. For tough stains, mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent and apply it with your hand brush.
- Vacuum the floor – Using your sauna means potentially tracking in dirt and dust from the outside or leaving loose strands of your own hair on the floor. The good news is, going over it with the vacuum cleaner is quick and easy.
- Disinfect the drain and ventilation grates – If you use your sauna every day, you should disinfect the grates frequently. For most saunas, the grates are easy to remove, so pop them out, clean them with a disinfectant, and dry them thoroughly.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to lightly sand your sauna bench once a year. If your sauna is located outside, consider using a pressure washer to clean the exterior.
How Often Should You Clean Your Sauna?
It’s important to clean and maintain your sauna regularly. Whether you own a wet, dry, or hybrid sauna, your care can keep your at-home spa experience from welcoming germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can damage your sauna and your health. Regular cleaning and maintenance also help keep the wood surface in good condition and ensure that all the parts continue to work properly.
That said, there are no hard rules for how often you should clean your sauna. Cleaning frequency largely depends on how often you use it. People who use their sauna every day should consider performing regular cleaning at least once a week. But for those who use their sauna a few times a week or less, cleaning it once every other week might be enough.
For the Best Products At the Best Prices, Choose ALEKO
Owning a sauna means you can experience relaxation and rejuvenation any time you want. With the right care and steps to keep it clean, you can be sure your sauna session will remain a welcoming, sanitary space for your at-home spa needs.
At ALEKO, we’ve made a name for ourselves by providing quality saunas for sale and sauna accessories at affordable prices to people all over the country. If you’re thinking of bringing the wonders of a sauna to your home, we have the solutions for you.
We specialize in premium luxury saunas for inside or outside the home in a variety of sizes and styles. Whether you’re deciding between a dry sauna vs wet sauna, or looking into barrel and outdoor saunas to infinitely customizable options designed just for you, Aleko brings your sauna dreams within reach.
Sources:
Forbes. 7 Essential Tips For Sauna Maintenance. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/bathroom/in-home-sauna-maintenance-tips/#scrollto_6_air_out_your_sauna_section
Sauna Helper. How To Clean a Sauna (Indoor or Outdoor Benches, Floors, & Walls). https://saunahelper.com/how-to-clean-a-sauna-indoor-or-outdoor-benches-floors-walls/
WikiHow. How to Clean a Sauna: 10 Steps (With Pictures). https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Sauna
