Cleaning the sauna – but properly!

Normally, saunas are lined with untreated wood in the interior. Solvents, varnishes, glazes and wood preservatives as well as other substances would evaporate in the great heat that prevails during the use of the sauna. This could be harmful to health when inhaled, and exactly the opposite is supposed to happen in the sauna.

Nevertheless, maintenance of the wood and removal of impurities is necessary. In order to avoid sweat marks from the outset and also for hygienic reasons, visitors should be encouraged not to sit directly on the wood but to place a towel underneath.

There are three steps in cleaning the interior of the sauna:

1. First dry dust and coarse impurities should be removed. This can be done with a dry cloth and a vacuum cleaner. This should be done very thoroughly, as any dust that remains can be whirled up and inhaled during the next sauna session. Tiled areas should be wiped with an all-round cleaner with limescale dissolving power (e.g. Pure Wisin).
2. To preserve the wood’s vivid, warm appearance and at the same time clean it from unsightly stains such as sweat marks, there are special mild sauna wood cleaners such as our Pure Sauna Bench Cleaner. It contains coconut fatty acid, which is one of the gentlest active washing substances that cleans and cares for the wood. In doing so, the pores are not closed, so that the wood can continue to breathe (an important factor for a functioning sauna). It is also well absorbed, protects the wood from the inside and repels dirt. The grease causes the grain to come out beautifully again and the color tone is intensified. It also prevents the wood from cracking due to drying out. Moreover coconut fatty acids are mild and harmless to health, but as a side effect they have slightly disinfecting and fungicidal properties, while the protective layer is not greasy.

3. Wipe the wooden surfaces with a damp cloth (damp, not wet!). If stains have penetrated deeper into the wood fibers, you can try to grind them off with fine sandpaper. Depending on the intensity, work should be done in several steps. This means that the wood is sanded again after each sauna session and the affected area is moistened extra during the next sauna session to maintain the smooth surface. This is repeated until the stain has disappeared.

Disinfection in the sauna is not necessary because the heat has a germicidal effect. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the sauna is sufficiently and extensively ventilated after use. This is especially important in saunas that are not in daily use. When airing, it is important that all areas can dry out well. On the other hand, areas that are exposed to intensive contact, such as the door handles, should be disinfected regularly (e.g. with Pure Desino).