A sauna is a warm, damp room that people sweat in, so it needs regular cleaning for hygiene, to protect the wood and to keep it smelling fresh. The good news is that routine care is quick: a 2-minute wipe after each session, a short deep clean each week and a few checks through the year. This guide covers each step and the differences between infrared and traditional saunas.
Sauna cleaning schedule at a glance
| When | Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna |
|---|---|---|
| After every session | Wipe benches, mop the floor, leave the door open to dry | Wipe benches and backrest with a damp cloth, leave the door open to dry |
| Weekly (if used often) | Vacuum, then wash benches and walls with mild soapy water and rinse | Unplug, vacuum, wipe the wood with plain water and dust the emitters with a dry cloth |
| Every few months | Clear the drain, check the door seal, look for cracked stones | Check the door seal and cords, and keep dust off the control box |
| Once a year | Rearrange the heater stones and replace crumbled ones | Look over the wood, glass and emitter covers for damage |
What you need
- Soft cloths or microfiber towels and a soft-bristle brush (never wire)
- A bucket and warm water
- Mild, unscented dish soap (traditional saunas, unless your manual says otherwise)
- White vinegar and a spray bottle
- Baking soda
- Fine sandpaper (150-grit or finer) for stubborn stains
- A handheld vacuum or a brush and dustpan
After every session (2 minutes)
- Wipe down benches and backrests with a clean, damp cloth to remove sweat before it soaks into the wood.
- Mop up any water on the floor.
- Air it out: leave the door open so the cabin dries. This is the best defense against mold and mildew.
Using a towel to sit and lie on also keeps sweat off the wood. Our guide to what to wear in a sauna covers the two-towel method.
Weekly deep clean (15-20 minutes)
Always start with the sauna switched off and completely cool. Unplug an infrared sauna before you clean it.
- Clear the space: remove towels, duckboards and movable backrests.
- Vacuum dust, hair and debris from the floor, benches and corners.
- Mix a mild solution: for a traditional sauna, a few drops of unscented dish soap in warm water, or one part white vinegar to three parts water in a spray bottle. For an infrared sauna, check your manual first; many, including Dynamic's, call for plain water only.
- Scrub benches and backrests gently with the grain, paying attention to sweat stains.
- Wipe walls and floor with a damp cloth.
- Rinse with a cloth and clean water so no soap or vinegar residue is left to be heated later. Do not soak the wood.
- Dry with a towel and leave the door open for several hours before the next session.
Cleaning by sauna type
Traditional saunas
- Stones: heater stones crack and crumble with repeated heating. Harvia advises checking and rearranging them at least once a year, more often with heavy use, and replacing broken pieces. At about two sessions a week, Harvia suggests changing the stones once a year.
- Rinse dusty stones in plain water. Never spray cleaning solution onto a hot heater, and never use chemicals on or near the stones.
- Look at the wood closely, since heat and steam make wood care the main job. Browse our traditional saunas to see the range of builds.
Infrared saunas
- Wipe surfaces after each use, since you tend to sweat on the benches and backrest.
- Follow the manual on cleaners. Dynamic's owner's manuals, for example, say to unplug the sauna and use only plain water and a soft, damp cloth, with no liquid, aerosol or chemical cleaners.
- Dust the carbon or ceramic panels with a dry, soft cloth when the sauna is cool and unplugged. Never pour or spray liquid on the emitters or their covers, and never use abrasive scrubbers.
- Find model-specific advice in our Dynamic owner's manuals and other brand manual guides, and see our infrared saunas for home.
Fixing common problems
Mold and mildew
Prevention is ventilation: air out the cabin after every session. For small spots in a traditional sauna, wipe with one part white vinegar to three parts water, then dry thoroughly. In an infrared sauna, check your manual before using vinegar. If mold keeps coming back, improve airflow and check for leaks or a damp floor.
Musty smell
A musty smell means moisture. Deep clean, dry the cabin fully and leave a bowl of baking soda in the cool sauna overnight to absorb odors.
Stains and dark marks
Fresh sweat stains usually come off with water and a soft brush. Older marks can be lightly sanded with the grain, then vacuumed. Wood can also release natural tannins that cause darker patches, which are normal and can be sanded off.
What never to use
- Bleach, ammonia and harsh cleaners: they damage wood and can leave fumes that are released when the sauna heats up.
- Stain, varnish or oil on interior wood: sealants can make surfaces hot to touch and are not meant for sauna interiors. Natural wood is meant to breathe. See our guide to the best wood for a sauna.
- Pressure washers or a hose: they force water deep into the boards and raise the risk of rot and mold, and water must never reach an infrared sauna's electrics.
Quarterly checks
- Clear any floor drain.
- Check the door seal and replace it if worn or cracked.
- Look at wiring, cords and the area around the heater or control box for dust buildup, and keep it clear.
Cleaning is part of owning a sauna, and the right cabin makes it easier. If you are still choosing, read our guides to the types of saunas and infrared vs traditional saunas.
