How To Clean A Sauna: Expert Tips & Tricks

Saunas have become the ultimate sanctuaries for relaxation and wellness at our homes, gyms, spas, and health retreats. In fact, from traditional Finnish saunas to modern electric and infrared saunas, people love using this ancient therapy in all its avatars. 

But if there’s one question that almost everyone asks, it is: How to clean a sauna the right way?

After all, as much as you enjoy a hot sauna session, cleaning your Steamist sauna enclosure is equally important. And this is where it gets tricky since saunas are equipped with all sorts of complex and high value components. 

In this blog, I’ve detailed everything about how to clean sauna the right way without damaging a single piece of equipment. Also, I’ve answered all your questions about sauna cleaning and maintenance. 

So, let’s get started. 

Why cleaning a sauna is important? 

Let’s face this: As much as we like to enjoy our sauna sessions, we all feel lazy when it comes to sauna upkeep and cleanliness. 

So, it isn’t surprising to yourself if it is really necessary to clean your sauna room. In fact, this is something even I find myself asking. 

Nevertheless, cleaning a sauna is important in more ways than you might think. 

Why? 

You see, everytime you use a sauna, it creates a warm and moist ambiance. And this is the perfect environment for harboring bacteria and other microorganisms, which in turn could spread germs and diseases. 

Meaning, when it comes to ensuring a hygienic sauna bath, there’s no alternative to regular sauna venting and cleaning.

How else does sauna maintenance help? 

Apart from health and hygiene, sauna cleanliness and maintenance comes in handy in many ways such as: 

• Increasing the longevity of your sauna. 
• Preventing the growth of mold and mildew
• Keeping sauna wood in brand-new condition 
• Elevating your overall sauna experience 

All in all, regular sauna cleaning ensures your sauna is always in tip-top shape and you reap the health benefits in the most soothing and enjoyable way possible. 

How to clean a sauna: A step-by-step guide

Now that you know why cleaning a sauna regularly is essential, let me answer the billion dollar question, i.e., how do you clean a sauna. 

As I said earlier, cleaning a sauna is easier said than done. This means you can’t clean a sauna the same way you would other areas of your home, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or living room.

And that’s exactly why I’ve divided the entire sauna cleaning process into 12 simple steps so that you can go one step at a time. 

Here are the steps you can follow to clean your sauna thoroughly: 

Step 1. Source all the cleaning essentials 

The first step of sauna cleaning involves gathering all the necessary cleaning items before you can start the actual cleaning. And to that end, you’ll need to source the following: 

• A vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment
• A soft-bristled broom or hand brush
• Microfiber cloth
• A bucket of warm water
• A mild soap preferably made with natural substances (chemical-based soaps damage sauna materials)
• Sandpaper (150-180 grit)
• Natural disinfectant such as a vinegar solution or a specialized sauna cleaner
• A plastic scrub brush

With all these cleaning materials, you’re now all equipped to start cleaning the enclosure.
 
Step 2. Prepare the sauna for cleaning 

Here’s the thing: You can’t just enter the enclosure after your sauna session and start cleaning it. You’ve got to prepare the sauna room for cleaning so that you don’t end up hurting yourself or damaging any equipment. 

To begin with, you should ensure the sauna is completely cool before you start cleaning. This is important because cleaning while the sauna is still hot can cause accidental burns. 

Thereafter, you can remove any accessories, such as sauna cushions or backrests from the enclosure. 

Also, it makes sense to open the sauna door and windows and ventilate the space well. 

Step 3. Vacuum the sauna enclosure 

The third step of sauna cleaning involves vacuuming the entire sauna enclosure, including sauna benches and seating areas, walls, floor, etc. 

Moreover, you’ll be vacuuming every nook and cranny of the sauna bath, except for the sauna heater. 

Also, if you own a small portable sauna and are curious how to clean a portable sauna, vacuuming is the only step you’ll likely need to follow. 

Note: If your sauna room is equipped with the electric heaters like an Amerec sauna heater, you should be cautious to not vacuum the heater. 

Step 4. Sweep the dirt particles away 

Once you’ve vacuumed the sauna, you can take either a soft-bristled broom or a hand brush and sweep away dirt particles that might have been left behind. 

You see, even if you’ve got the best vacuum cleaner, you’ll agree that it can leave behind dirt particles especially in hard-to-reach areas. 

So, sweeping acts as an additional step to ensure you've removed as much loose debris as possible before the wet cleaning process.

Step 5. Prepare a cleaning solution 

Preparing a sauna cleaning solution is easier than it seems. All you’ve got to do is mix a small amount of natural soap with some warm water. 

However, you should avoid harsh chemicals or bleach since these can damage the wood. Also, they can create harmful fumes in the sauna, thus negatively affecting your health.

Mix a small amount of mild, natural soap with warm water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as these can damage the wood and create harmful fumes in the sauna environment. 

Some sauna manufacturers recommend specific cleaning products, so check your owner's manual if available.

Step 6. Clean the surface 

Sauna surfaces can be challenging to clean, especially as you’ve to tackle all the different areas such as ceiling, walls, floor, etc. 

So, how to clean a sauna surface efficiently? 

Well, you can use a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down all wooden surfaces in the following order: 

• Start with the ceiling first and make your way down
• Clean the sauna benches
• Wipe down walls clean 
• Clean the floor at the end 

Important: Rinse the cloth frequently in clean water to avoid spreading dirt while cleaning sauna wood.

Step 7. Clear the stubborn Stains

Even after you’ve cleaned the sauna surface, some stubborn stains might remain. And to clean them, you can first make a sauna cleaning solution paste using baking soda and water. 

Now, scrub the stained area with this paste and rinse thoroughly with clean water. 

Note: It is possible for some extremely stubborn stains to still remain on the wood surface. 

Curious how to clean sauna wood with such stains? 

You can simply sand that area with fine-grit sandpaper and then wipe it clean. 

Step 8. Disinfect the enclosure using natural disinfectants 

Disinfecting the sauna is essential since even after vacuuming and wet cleaning germs might still be present there. 

But how to clean a sauna with natural disinfectants. 

Well, to do so, you’ll have to make a natural disinfectant solution first using equal parts water and white vinegar. If this sounds like a hassle, you can also buy a natural sauna cleaner from the market. 

Spray this disinfectant lightly across the sauna, especially on high-touch areas like door handles, light switches, temperature controls, and benches. You can then wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

Step 9. Clean the sauna heater 

Having cleaned the sauna surface thoroughly, it's now time to clean the sauna heaters. 

But before you do so, be sure to take all the necessary precautions for safety. That’s because sauna heaters are made with complex electrical components. So, one wrong move and even the best sauna heaters can endanger your safety. 

Here’s how you can clean your sauna heater safely: 

Cleaning electric sauna heaters: 

• Make sure the heater is turned off and has cooled
• Wipe the heater’s exterior with a damp cloth
• Remove any dirt and debris from the vents

Cleaning wood-burning sauna heaters: 

• Remove ashes and debris from the heater 
• Clean the glass door with a natural glass cleaner
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines to clean the chimney 

​How to clean infrared sauna heater?

I am often asked by infrared sauna users how they can clean their sauna heater since these heaters are different from your regular electric heaters. 

However, cleaning infrared sauna heaters is no rocket science and the cleaning method is pretty much like other electric heaters. 

Here’s how you can clean an infrared sauna heater: 

• Ensure the heater is off and cool
• Wipe down heater panels with a soft and damp cloth
• Use a mild soap-based sauna cleaning solution if necessary (avoid harsh chemicals)
• Inspect the panels for dust and debris on a regular basis

Step 10. Clean the sauna floor

Now, this step is quite simple, all you’ve got to do is mop the floor with a mild soap solution.

Also, if you have a textured floor, a soft brush can help you reach into the grooves and clean thoroughly. 

However, I suggest you pay extra attention to the corners and areas near the door since dirt can accumulate here.

Step 11. Clean the sauna rocks 

A lot of modern-home saunas like the Amerec sauna use vulcanite sauna rocks for increased wellness and more authentic sauna experience. And while cleaning your sauna room, you might want to clean these rocks too. 

So, how to clean sauna rocks? 

Well, you can: 

• Rinse the rocks to remove mineral deposits
• Inspect them for cracks or damages
• Replace any broken rocks 
• Rearrange them for even heat distribution

 
Step 12. Rinse and dry the sauna 

With bulk cleaning out of sight, you can now rinse the sauna with a clean and damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
 
Thereafter, you can dry the sauna surfaces with a clean towel. Also, you can leave the sauna open and let natural air do the job. 
​
Frequently asked questions about how to clean a sauna

 How often should you clean a sauna? 
 
Talking about the frequency of sauna cleaning, I suggest you undertake thorough at least once every week. 

Apart from that, you should do basic cleaning on a  daily basis to keep your sauna in tip-top shape. 
 
How do you clean a sauna for regular maintenance? 

While the above steps explain how you can undertake thorough sauna cleaning, you won’t be spending so much time for such in-depth cleaning everyday. 
 
So, how to clean a sauna easily everyday?

Here’s what you can do: 

1. Wipe down the benches and backrests using a clean and damp cloth after each session.
2. Leave the sauna door open after use to air it out and allow moisture to escape. 
3. Encourage all sauna users to use towels in order to minimize direct sweat contact with wooden surfaces.
4. Check for any signs of mold, mildew, or wood damage regularly.
5. A quick vacuum between deep cleaning can keep your sauna looking tidy.

How to clean an infrared sauna? 

You can follow the same 12 steps that I’ve explained to clean an infrared sauna. The only time where you’ll have to be super careful is when cleaning the infrared sauna heater. 

But that said, you can follow my infrared sauna heater cleaning tips to clean the heater safely. 

Note: If you use an infrared sauna pod, I suggest you don’t undertake sauna cleaning and maintenance yourself and leave it to professionals. 

That’s because these saunas are different from your regular saunas and are equipped with more complex accessories. Also, cleaning these saunas might involve dis-assembliing the infrared pod. 

How to clean cedar sauna? 

Cleaning a sauna made with cedar isn’t very different from the cleaning process I’ve detailed. 

However, you’ve to make sure you don’t use any hard chemicals as your sauna wood can get damaged and lose its aesthetic appeal. 

Also, you shouldn’t use a lot of water while cleaning a cedar sauna, a damp cloth can do the job. 

The same thing applies when it comes to how to clean infrared sauna wood. In fact, you can use a special infrared sauna cleaner to make sure you don’t damage the wood.

Conclusion 

As you can see, cleaning a sauna is complex and involves multiple phases of cleaning which can indeed be time consuming. Also, you've to be careful while cleaning the sauna so that you don’t end up causing damage or hurting yourself. 

Nevertheless, with the right gear, cleaning materials, and sufficient time, you can clean your sauna to make it look brand new.

Looking to install a home sauna instead? 

You can get in touch with us!

At Steam and Sauna Experts, we are seasoned sauna installation experts in South Florida and beyond. Also, our online storefront has an extensive sauna inventory from industry leaders like Delta, Amerec, Mr Steam, Steamist, and more. 

In short, we’ve got all your sauna requirements covered in one click.