Cleaning a sauna

One of the big advantages of a conventional sauna room is that each use results in very hot dry air filling the sauna room for a prolonged period of time. The effect of this is to kill germs and bacteria very effectively. This means that saunas are naturally clean environments.

In fact in Finland, before the advent and availability of hospitals and medical surgeries, the sterile environment of a sauna room was frequently used for minor medical procedures and for the recovery of patients with chest or breathing problems. Germs and bacteria could not find harbour in these clean dry sterile rooms and they were seen as having many health and medical advantages.

Today the typical home sauna will not burn fossil fuel and some will use infrared lamps rather than proper heaters (when this is the case the air is not hot and dry). Even so, the dry environment of the sauna means that it should be a naturally self cleansing room and this means that cleaning can be kept to a minimum.

Cleaning

If you want to clean your sauna the first thing to be aware of are any recommendations or warnings provided by the suppliers of the heater (or lamps) and the timber lining. Some may advocate cleaning in a particular way or using, or not using, certain chemicals or cleaners.

In most cases the only requirement for cleaning a sauna room is to wipe it with a clean damp cloth. If there is a visible residue of some type, a mild diluted household detergent can be used and then wiped off.

Any spillages, e.g. from drinks or food that are taken into the sauna, should be cleaned immediately or treated as described above. It should not be necessary to use powerful cleaners or strong detergents to clean a sauna and doing so may have an adverse effect on the pre-treated or seasoned timber lining.

As a general guide, any sauna with a hot rock style heater that is used regularly should require an absolute minimum of cleaning. Infrared saunas, which do not heat up and dry the sauna room, will required a more active clean from time to time.

In the case of the infrared heat lamps it is a good idea to regularly check the glass front of the lamp. Dust, dirt, or any other film covering the lamp’s lens will effectively reduce the lamps power to deliver the infrared rays. If you notice that the power of your infrared heat lamps seem to be diminished, this may be the reason. To clean them, wipe them with a damp cloth and then dry them with a dry cloth or duster.