7 Tips to Maintain Your Home Sauna
Enjoying your home sauna is great for relaxing, but it needs care to stay nice. Here are seven easy tips to keep it clean and working well.
7 Tips to Maintain Your Home Sauna
Wash yourself entering a sauna
Take a warm shower right before you go into the sauna. It helps keep the sauna clean by washing away any dirt on your body. Plus, the heat from the shower opens up your pores, so your body can soak in all the good stuff from the sauna. And the warm water also helps to loosen up your muscles, making your sauna time even more relaxing. Adding this easy step to your sauna routine makes sure you get the most out of your sauna time and keeps things nice and clean.
Use towels on the bench when sitting in the sauna
When using the sauna, it’s advisable to lay a towel on the bench before sitting down. This practice serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it maintains cleanliness by creating a barrier between your body and the bench, minimizing contact with sweat, bacteria, or other residues left behind by previous users. Additionally, placing a towel on the bench helps preserve the sauna’s hygiene standards, as it prevents direct skin contact with the bench surface, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Brushing the Sauna
In addition to routine maintenance, it’s advisable to perform a comprehensive cleaning of the sauna every few months. Think of it as akin to the deep clean you give your shower. While you may wipe down surfaces regularly to maintain cleanliness, every few weeks, a more thorough scrubbing is necessary to remove accumulated grime. Similarly, periodically brushing the sauna ensures a hygienic environment, prolongs its lifespan, and maintains optimal performance for your relaxation sessions.
For example, if you have a 2 person traditional sauna, dedicating an afternoon every few months to a deep clean can keep it in pristine condition. Just like your shower, giving it a thorough scrub ensures a refreshing and hygienic experience every time you step inside.
Leave the Door Open after use
After using the sauna, leave the door open to let it air out completely. The remaining heat in the rocks and wood will dry the sauna and even help dry the nearby shower area if it’s connected. This simple step keeps your sauna fresh and ready for the next use.
Avoid Using Hard Water
When cleaning the sauna, it’s best to steer clear of hard water, particularly if it has high calcium levels commonly found in groundwater sources. Hard water can lead to scaling and the buildup of deposits, which can make the sauna surfaces appear cloudy and less appealing. Conversely, low calcium levels in water can cause issues such as foamy conditions. To maintain a clean and inviting sauna environment, it’s essential to use water with balanced calcium levels and avoid the potential problems associated with hard water.
Rinse the rocks before installing them in sauna heaters
In a sauna, particularly with wood-burning or electric sauna stoves, it’s important to rinse the rocks before installing them. Carefully arrange the rocks within the heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensuring the cleanliness of the rocks before heating them is crucial for a pleasant and effective sauna session.
Use antibacterial essential oils
If you’re aiming to deeply cleanse your sauna, consider utilizing tea tree oil. This powerful oil is known for its strong antibacterial properties, making it an ideal choice for maintaining sauna hygiene. When using this oil, you may opt to increase the dosage if you’re cleaning the sauna during periods of non-use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining your home sauna is essential for a consistently enjoyable and hygienic experience. By implementing these practices, such as washing before entering to keep the sauna clean and open up pores, using towels on the bench for hygiene, and leaving the door open post-use to air out, you can preserve the cleanliness and functionality of your sauna. Additionally, avoiding hard water and rinsing rocks before installing them in sauna heaters are crucial steps to prevent issues like scaling and cloudy surfaces. Lastly, incorporating antibacterial essential oils like tea tree oil ensures a deep cleanse, contributing to a refreshing sauna environment.
