How To Clean Sauna Suit? An Easy Guide

You’ve just finished a solid workout in your sauna suit, you’re drenched in sweat, and you feel great. 

But then you take it off and that strong, sweaty smell hits you. 

Now you’re probably wondering how to clean your sauna suit without damaging it or making it worse. 

Can you just toss it in the washing machine, or is there a better way?

Here’s the thing: Sauna suits are not like regular workout clothes. They’re designed to trap heat and sweat, which also means they hold onto moisture, bacteria, and odor if you don’t clean them properly. 

Meaning if you use the wrong cleaning method, you can easily damage the material or reduce its lifespan.

The good part? 

Cleaning a sauna suit is actually simple. Just follow the right steps and you’re good. 

In this blog, I will explain how to clean sauna suit in five simple steps. Also, I will walk you through things to avoid during cleaning and my pro tips to remove smell from the suit. 
So, let’s get started. 
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Key takeaways

• Sauna suits should always be hand washed, and not in the machine 
• Harsh detergents and hot water can damage the material
• Air drying is essential to prevent shrinking and odor buildup
• Cleaning your sauna suit after every use helps prevent bacteria
• Proper care can significantly extend the life of your sauna suit

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First things first, can you wash a sauna suit in the washer?

Before we get into the cleaning process, let’s clear up one of the most common questions, which is whether or not can you put a sauna suit in the washer. 

The short answer is no. 

You see, most sauna suits are made from materials like PVC, neoprene, and nylon blends. 
These materials are designed to trap heat, but they’re also sensitive to:

• High temperatures
• Aggressive spinning
• Harsh detergents

So if you toss your sauna suit into a washing machine, especially on a hot cycle, you risk:

• Damaging the inner lining
• Weakening the seams
• Reducing its ability to retain heat

That said, some modern sauna suits for weight loss also claim to be machine washable.
But even then, it is safer to stick with gentle cleaning methods unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise.

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How to clean sauna suit step-by-step?

Alright, now that you know machine washing isn’t always the best idea, let’s go through the right way to clean a sauna suit. 
For starters, sauna suit cleaning is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. You don’t need anything fancy here, just the right steps and a few minutes after each use to keep it fresh and long-lasting.
Overall, here’s how to clean a sauna suit: 
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Step 1: Rinse the sauna suit right after use

After a workout, your sauna suit is soaked with sweat, salt, and oils. If it sits too long, it starts to smell and break down faster. 

So right after use, give it a quick rinse with cool or lukewarm water.

A quick rinse helps remove all that surface sweat before it settles into the fabric. And this alone can prevent most odor and buildup issues.

Pro tip: Turn it inside out while rinsing as it cleans the sweat-heavy inner layer much better.
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Step 2: Use a mild soap or gentle detergent

Now it’s time for a proper clean. But here’s the thing: Don’t go heavy on chemicals. 

You see, strong detergents can be too harsh for sauna suit material and may weaken it over time. So, keep it simple with mild soap, gentle detergent, or even a little baby shampoo.

Also, just a small amount of soap or detergent is enough. You’re not trying to deep-clean it aggressively, just refresh it without damaging the fabric.
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Now gently clean the suit using your hands or a soft cloth. And as you do this, it is important that you don’t scrub or twist it too hard. 

Sauna suits are designed to trap heat, not handle rough washing, so being gentle is really important.

Focus more on the inside since that’s where most sweat builds up. Also, lightly wipe the outer layer, especially high-sweat areas like the back and underarms.
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Step 4: Rinse thoroughly

Once you’ve cleaned it, rinse everything off properly with clean water. 

You want to make sure no soap or detergent is left behind in the fabric. That’s because small amounts can cause irritation or leave a weird smell later.

Take your time here and gently squeeze the water out without wringing it. A clean rinse keeps the material fresh and helps it last longer without damage.
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Step 5: Air dry completely

Now comes the most important part, drying. 

Never put a sauna suit in the dryer as the heat can damage the material, ruin its shape, and reduce its ability to trap heat properly. Instead, air dry by hanging it in a well-ventilated area and let it air dry naturally. 

Also, keep it out of direct sunlight and make sure it’s fully dry before storing it away. This helps prevent odor, mold, and long-term fabric damage.
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In short, here’s how to wash a sauna suit:

Step	What to Do	Why It Works
Step 1: Rinse After Use	Rinse with cool water immediately	Removes sweat before it sets
Step 2: Use Mild Soap	Apply gentle cleaner	Protects the material
Step 3: Clean Gently	Wipe with soft cloth	Prevents damage
Step 4: Rinse Again	Remove all soap residue	Avoids irritation and buildup
Step 5: Air Dry	Hang in open space	Prevents odor and damage

What not to do when cleaning a sauna suit?

Now that you know how to clean a sauna suit properly, it’s just as important to understand what you should avoid. 

After all, most fabric damage doesn’t happen from use, it happens from cleaning mistakes. A few wrong habits can easily ruin the material or shorten its lifespan.

Here are a few things I suggest you avoid while cleaning your sauna suit:
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1. Don’t put your sauna suit in a hot dryer

It might feel tempting to speed things up by putting your sauna suit in a hot dryer. 

But it is one of the quickest ways to ruin the suit. That’s because the high heat from a dryer is too harsh for the material. 

Sauna suits are built with heat-trapping layers that can easily get damaged under extreme temperatures. 

In fact, a dryer can melt, shrink, or completely warp the suit in just one cycle. And once that happens, it won’t fit or perform the same again. 

Always stick to air drying, it takes a little longer, but it keeps your suit safe.
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2. Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals

Bleach might seem like a powerful cleaner, but it’s far too strong for sauna suits. That’s because it contains chemicals like sodium hypochlorite that can break down the protective coating, fade the material, and leave behind residue that can irritate your skin during workouts.

The problem gets worse when you start sweating again, as the trapped chemicals can react with heat and moisture. 

So, keep it simple with mild soap or gentle detergent as they clean well without damaging the fabric.
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3. Don’t wring or twist the suit too hard

After washing, it’s common to twist the suit to remove water, but that’s not a good idea.
Sauna suits are built with layered materials and reinforced stitching, and too much force can stretch or weaken them over time. Also, this can affect the fit and overall structure of the suit.

Instead, gently press the water out using your hands. It is safer, and it helps maintain the shape for longer use.
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4. Don’t leave it wet for too long

Leaving a damp sauna suit sitting around is one of the easiest ways to create problems.
Whether it’s in a gym bag or a corner of the room, trapped moisture quickly leads to odor and bacteria buildup.

In some cases, it can even lead to mildew if left too long. So the best habit is to dry it right after washing or using it, as the sooner it dries, the fresher it stays.
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5. Don’t wash it too aggressively after every use

It is easy to think you need to deep clean it every time, but that’s not necessary. 

Over-washing can actually wear down the material faster and reduce its heat-retention ability over time.

That’s exactly why I suggest you keep it light. 

A quick rinse after workouts is usually enough, and a full wash can be done after a few uses. This balance keeps it clean without damaging the fabric.
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In short, here are the mistakes you should avoid while cleaning sauna suit:

Mistake	Why It’s Bad
Using dryer	Can melt or shrink material
Using bleach	Damages fabric & leaves residue
Twisting hard	Weakens seams
Leaving wet	Causes odor & bacteria
Over-washing	Reduces lifespan

How often should you wash a sauna suit?

You don’t need to deep wash it every time you use it, but you also shouldn’t ignore it for too long either. 

A good rule of thumb is to give it a light rinse after every workout to remove sweat and salt. Then do a full wash after about 3-5 uses, depending on how intense your sessions are. 

If you sweat heavily, wash it more often. And if your workouts are lighter, you can stretch it a bit longer. 

The idea is to keep your cleaning balanced. You want to keep the suit fresh, but also not over-clean it.
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How to clean sauna suit to remove bad smells?

Smell is usually the biggest issue with a sauna suit. That’s because even if it looks clean, trapped sweat can quickly lead to a strong odor. 

The good news is, you don’t need anything complicated to fix it, as a few simple, natural methods can make your sauna suit fresh again. In fact, you can use these methods to clean sauna hats without damaging or losing sauna hat benefits. 
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Here’s what you can do to remove bad smells from your sauna suit:

1. Vinegar soak (natural deodorizer)

One of the easiest ways to remove smell is using a vinegar soak. Just mix equal parts water and white vinegar, then let your sauna suit sit in it for about 15-20 minutes. 

Vinegar helps break down bacteria that cause bad odor naturally.

After soaking, rinse it well with clean water to remove any vinegar smell. This method is simple, safe, and works really well for strong sweat odors.
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2. Baking soda method

Baking soda is another great option for tackling stubborn smells. 

Just sprinkle a small amount inside your sauna suit and let it sit for a few hours. It slowly absorbs deep-set odors trapped in the fabric.

Once it has done its job, shake it out properly and give it a light rinse. This is an easy, chemical-free way to freshen things up.
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3. Air drying in fresh air

Sometimes the simplest method works best. 

Fresh air alone can do a lot of the work when it comes to removing odor. Hang your sauna suit outside or in a well-ventilated space and let it breathe.

Good airflow helps remove trapped moisture, reduces smell naturally, and keeps the fabric feeling fresher for longer without any extra effort.
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In short, here’s how to clean a sauna suit to remove bad odor:

Method	How It Works
Vinegar soak	Kills bacteria naturally
Baking soda	Absorbs deep odors
Fresh air drying	Removes trapped moisture

To sum up

By now, you should have a clear understanding of how to clean sauna suit properly without damaging it.

You see, cleaning a sauna suit is not complicated. It just comes down to gentle cleaning, proper drying, and smart maintenance habits
And once you follow the right steps, your sauna suit will stay fresh, durable, and ready for every workout. 

Got more questions or need help choosing the right sauna equipment?

You can reach out to us!
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At Steam and Sauna Experts, we bring high-quality sauna equipment and accessories from industry-leading manufacturers like Amerec, Kohler, Delta, and more. Whether you’re just starting out with a sauna or upgrading your setup, we’re here to help.
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FAQs about cleaning a sauna suit

Can you wash a sauna suit in the washer?​

In most cases, it’s not recommended. 

​Washing machines can damage the material, especially with heat and spin cycles. That’s why hand washing is the safest option.

How do you wash a sauna suit properly?

Rinse it after use, clean it gently with mild soap, rinse again, and air dry completely. Also, avoid harsh chemicals and machine drying.​

How often should I clean my sauna suit?

Light rinse after every use and full wash every few uses is ideal, depending on how much you sweat.

Can you put a sauna suit in the dryer?

No. High heat can damage or shrink the material and reduce its effectiveness.

Why does my sauna suit smell bad?

Your sauna suit likely has a bad odor because sweat and bacteria get trapped in the suit as you work out. And without proper cleaning and drying, odor builds up quickly.

How do I get rid of odor in a sauna suit?

You can use a vinegar soak, baking soda, or fresh air drying to neutralize and remove bad smells naturally.