How to Maintain a Sauna: Cleaning & Maintenance Tips for Year-Round Enjoyment
A home sauna is designed to provide years of relaxation and wellness, but like any part of your home, it holds up best with a little routine care.
The good news is that sauna maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. Most of what your sauna needs comes down to keeping the wood clean and dry, maintaining good airflow, periodically inspecting the heater and sauna stones, and protecting outdoor saunas from the elements.
For sauna owners in East Rochester, Hilton and throughout the greater Rochester area, seasonal changes also make proper maintenance especially important, particularly for outdoor barrel and cabin saunas exposed to snow, rain, freezing temperatures and summer sun.
Whether you own a traditional electric sauna, infrared sauna or outdoor sauna, here’s what you should know about keeping it clean, comfortable and ready to enjoy.
How Often Should You Clean a Sauna?
You don’t need to deep clean your sauna after every use. A simple five-minute routine after each session can prevent sweat, oils and moisture from building up in the first place.
After using your sauna:
- Wipe benches and backrests with a clean, damp cloth.
- Prop up removable floor duckboards to allow them to dry.
- Leave the sauna door open after the session to promote air circulation.
- Make sure intake and exhaust vents remain unobstructed.
Allowing the sauna to dry thoroughly after every use is one of the simplest ways to protect the unfinished wood and discourage mold and mildew.
Should You Use Towels in a Sauna?
Yes. Using towels is one of the easiest ways to keep sauna benches looking their best.
Place a towel on the bench, behind your back and beneath your feet during each session. Sweat contains natural oils and salts that can eventually discolor or stain softwood surfaces. A towel creates a barrier between your skin and the wood, which keeps the sauna cleaner and reduces how often the interior needs a deeper cleaning.
What Should You Use to Clean Sauna Wood?
Avoid bleach, ammonia and harsh household detergents on interior sauna wood. These products can damage wood fibers, and many aren’t appropriate for surfaces that will later be exposed to high temperatures.
Instead, use warm water with a cleaning product specifically designed for sauna wood, paraffin soap or a mild diluted white vinegar solution. Use a soft brush or cloth and clean with the grain of the wood rather than against it, and avoid saturating the wood with excessive water.
Always check the care instructions provided by your sauna manufacturer before applying any cleaner, oil, wax or other treatment.
Can You Sand Sauna Benches?
Yes. Minor stains, discoloration or rough areas on unfinished sauna benches can often be improved with light sanding.
Use fine-grit sandpaper, generally between 120 and 220 grit, and sand gently with the direction of the wood grain. Afterward, a breathable product designed specifically for sauna interiors, such as paraffin oil or sauna wax, may be used to help protect the wood from moisture and staining.
Do not apply ordinary household wood stains, varnishes or sealants to interior sauna benches unless specifically approved by the sauna manufacturer. Products used inside a sauna need to be rated for high-temperature environments.
How Do You Maintain Sauna Rocks?
Inspect sauna rocks at least once a year, or according to your heater manufacturer’s recommendations.
Repeated heating and cooling causes sauna stones to gradually crack, crumble and settle. As smaller pieces accumulate and the stones pack together tightly, airflow around the heating elements can be reduced. During an inspection:
- Remove the stones and check their condition.
- Discard stones that are cracked, brittle or crumbling.
- Remove accumulated stone dust and debris.
- Replace damaged stones with rocks approved for your heater.
- Re-stack the stones loosely enough to maintain proper airflow around the heating elements.
Never force stones tightly around the heating elements. Proper airflow helps the heater distribute heat efficiently and evenly.
Do Infrared Saunas Need Different Maintenance?
Yes. Infrared saunas don’t use a rock-filled heater, so their maintenance needs are different from a traditional sauna.
Regularly wipe interior wood surfaces and keep the sauna well ventilated after use, just as you would with a traditional sauna. For the infrared components themselves, periodically remove dust from heat-emitter grilles and other accessible surfaces with a dry microfiber cloth, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep control panels clean and dry, and avoid spraying cleaning products or water directly onto infrared emitters, electrical components or control panels.
How Do You Prevent Mold and Mildew in a Sauna?
Keep moisture moving out of the sauna rather than letting it sit inside. Moisture combined with poor airflow is what allows mold and mildew to develop.
Pay particular attention to areas where air doesn’t circulate as easily, including corners, beneath benches, under floor duckboards, around drains and other enclosed or low-airflow areas. Keep the sauna’s intake and exhaust vents clear and allow the interior to dry completely after each use.
If you notice persistent moisture, unusual odors or recurring mold or mildew, don’t simply keep cleaning the visible area. It may indicate a ventilation, drainage or moisture problem that should be addressed at the source.
How Do You Maintain an Outdoor Sauna in Western New York?
Outdoor saunas in East Rochester, Hilton and the surrounding area face an additional challenge: the weather. Snow, ice, rain, freezing temperatures, humidity and UV exposure can all affect exterior sauna materials over time.
For an outdoor barrel or cabin sauna, periodically:
- Inspect exterior wood for signs of weathering or damage.
- Check the roof or shingles for leaks or deterioration.
- Inspect doors, windows and seals.
- Check steel tension bands on barrel saunas and adjust them according to manufacturer instructions if seasonal wood movement causes them to loosen.
- Keep snow, leaves and debris from accumulating where they could trap moisture.
- Apply an appropriate UV-protective, exterior-grade wood stain or sealant when recommended for your particular sauna.
Be careful to distinguish between exterior protection and interior sauna treatments. A product suitable for protecting the outside of an outdoor sauna may not be appropriate for interior benches and walls.
What Sauna Maintenance Should You Do Each Season?
A simple maintenance schedule makes sauna ownership much easier.
After each use: Wipe down frequently touched wood surfaces, lift floor duckboards when possible, and allow the sauna to ventilate and dry.
Periodically: Inspect benches, floors, corners and other areas for staining, excessive moisture, mold or mildew. Clean more thoroughly as needed.
Annually: Inspect traditional sauna rocks and heating components according to manufacturer recommendations. Outdoor sauna owners should also inspect exterior wood, roofing, tension bands and weather-exposed surfaces.
The exact schedule depends on how often you use your sauna, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, the type of heater, and your manufacturer’s recommendations.
How Long Can a Well-Maintained Sauna Last?
There isn’t one universal lifespan for every sauna. Construction quality, wood species, heater type, frequency of use, ventilation and environmental exposure all affect longevity.
What owners can control is the care their sauna receives. Keeping the interior clean and dry, protecting the wood, maintaining proper airflow and taking care of the heater helps keep your sauna looking and performing its best for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I deep clean my sauna?
There’s no fixed schedule. A consistent five-minute wipe-down and drying routine after every session reduces how often a deeper clean is needed. Watch for visible staining or buildup as your cue to clean more thoroughly.
Can I use regular wood sealant or stain inside my sauna?
Ordinary household wood stains, varnishes and sealants generally aren’t appropriate for sauna interiors unless specifically approved by the sauna manufacturer. Use products designed for high-temperature sauna environments, such as appropriate paraffin oil or sauna wax.
Why do sauna rocks need to be replaced?
Repeated heating and cooling causes sauna rocks to crack, crumble and pack together over time, which blocks proper airflow around the heating elements. Annual inspection and replacement of damaged rocks keeps the heater performing evenly.
Does an outdoor sauna need extra care in a Western New York winter?
Yes. Freeze-thaw cycles can loosen steel tension bands on barrel saunas and expose gaps in exterior wood. Checking the structure and sealing exterior surfaces before winter helps prevent moisture damage during the coldest months.
How long does a sauna typically last with good maintenance?
There’s no single answer, since construction quality, wood type, heater type and usage all play a role. Consistent cleaning, drying and airflow maintenance are what owners can control to help a sauna perform well for years.
Sauna Care Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
The best sauna maintenance routine is usually the one you actually follow.
Use towels. Wipe down the interior. Let it dry. Keep the vents clear. Periodically inspect the wood and heating system. And if your sauna lives outdoors in Western New York, give the exterior a little extra attention as the seasons change.
At Pettis Pools & Patios, we’ve been helping homeowners throughout Rochester and the surrounding communities create spaces to relax, recharge and enjoy more time at home since 1962. Whether you’re maintaining the sauna you already own or considering adding one to your home, our team is here to help.
Looking for a Sauna in the Rochester Area?
Visit Pettis Pools & Patios at one of our two convenient locations in East Rochester and Hilton/Greece to explore sauna options and talk with our team about finding the right fit for your home, available space and wellness goals.