Helpful tips on how to clean and care for your sauna

The essence of good sauna care is cleaning. This should be performed regularly to ensure the cabin is hygienically clean and ready for your next sauna bathing session. Always leave the sauna vents open when the sauna is not in use.

Here we will provide details of how to clean each area of your sauna cabin. These are guidelines, and how regularly they are conducted will depend upon how often the sauna cabin is being used. Commercial operators should establish a regular and detailed cleaning schedule.

Cleaning should be carried out when the sauna is cold.

Sauna timber is extremely dry and is very sensitive to moisture. Once clean, the sauna cabin needs to be ventilated, to do this leave the door and vents open and allow the cabin can dry out entirely. After a deep cleaning session, you may find the most effective way to dry the sauna cabin is to turn the heater on for 30 minutes, open the vents and close the door.

Dark blue or black discolouration mean the timber has been left wet, this can happen if say the sauna bucket has been left on the bench.

Never use a steam cleaner, hose or high pressure cleaner to clean any part of your sauna. Excessive water and pressure can permanently damage the surface and structure of the timber. High pressure cleaning will void the guarantee of the sauna cabin.

Using non-abrasive cleaners is crucial for preserving the quality of sauna surfaces and accessories. Abrasive products can damage wood finishes and harm the sauna’s overall appearance. Opt for mild, sauna-safe cleaners that effectively remove dirt without causing any damage. Sauna cleaning products can be purchased directly from Oceanic Saunas. We offer a range of daily cleaning and deep cleaning products to effectively clean all areas of the sauna, steam room and spa area.

A soft sponge, or cloth can be used to clean the timber surfaces of the cabin, and a cloth can be used to clean any glass and the sauna accessories, and a soft brush or cloth can be used to clean the sauna heater. A mop can be used to clean the floor beneath the floor mat

Begin with the walls of your sauna. Using a mild detergent and warm water wipe the walls with a soft sponge or cloth. Rinse well to ensure that all cleaning products are removed.

Wipe over the glass in the sauna door with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

Next, using soft sponge or cloth, a mild detergent and warm water, wipe over the surfaces of the back rests, benches (don’t forget to wipe underneath the benches) and floor mats. Follow the grain of the timber to avoid raising it and don’t overly scrub the surface. Be particularly careful not to soak the benches or back rests especially in locations close to wiring for lighting. Rinse with clean water and sponge or cloth to remove all cleaning products.

Ensure the sauna bucket is emptied after each use, and wipe over with a damp cloth to avoid the build up of water marks. If lime-scale builds up on the surface of the bucket and ladle, use a soft brush and mild detergent to remove it. Wipe over all other sauna accessories with a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent and warm water, wiping over again with clean water to remove the cleaning products.

Lift the slatted wooden floor mat (if supplied) and use a dustpan and brush of vacuum to remove any debris from the floor, next, mop the floor of the cabin paying particular attention to the areas directly beneath the benches where perspiration may have dropped onto the floor. If you have purchased a sauna cabin with bench in-fills, remove the bottom slat to provide access under the benches.

Note: please ensure the heater is completely cold before cleaning.

The exterior case of the Finnish heater and/or saunarium steam generator may become watermarked with lime-scale over time, this can be removed with a soft brush and mild detergent. If required, use a small amount of citric acid dissolved in warm water or lemon juice to help remove it. Wipe the surfaces of the heater/ steam generator with a damp cloth and mild detergent, and rinse to remove all cleaning products.

Oceanic Sauna towels and pillows should be machine washed on a gentle cycle and hung up to dry naturally.