Cleaning a Sauna

For those fortunate enough to own a home sauna, cleaning the sauna must be part of a regular cleaning routine. Saunas, like all other areas of the home, get dirty and need maintenance. To maintain a safe and hygienic sauna, there are a series of tasks that must be accomplished periodically.

The most obvious task when cleaning a sauna may be the floors. Just like any floor, sauna floors must be vacuumed or swept regularly to remove hair, dust, dirt, and other debris. If many people use the sauna, it may be necessary to wash the floor as well. A dirty floor can cause the entire sauna to look unattractive. If water has been spilled on the floor, make sure that puddles are mopped up before they can cause damage to floors or cause somebody to slip.

Benches and walls can collect the same amount of debris as floors, as bathers spend most of their time seated and leaning against a wall or lying down in saunas. When these areas are being cleaned, a mild detergent and water solution should be used. Harsh chemicals can damage the wood and should not be used. When cleaning a sauna, pay special attention to the areas most frequently touched: controls and switches, door handles, and benches. Make sure you wipe away all soap residue, but do not use too much water, which can damage the sauna's wood.

The actual heater in the sauna can also become dirty. Water spots can collect on the metal, and dirt and grime can accumulate. When cleaning a sauna heater, make sure you use a nonabrasive cleaner so that the metal does not become scratched. Wipe away any grimy fingerprints that may be present to make the area more attractive.

The sauna rocks may also need to be cleaned — a chore which many people neglect. If anything other than sauna fragrances and clean water has been poured over the rocks, they will need cleaning. Never clean hot rocks, but allow them to cool completely. Soak the rocks in a mild detergent and water solution, and use a cloth or sponge to clean them. Make sure the rocks are rinsed thoroughly, and allow them to dry completely before replacing them.

If you keep water in buckets to ladle or pour over the hot rocks, make sure that the water is not allowed to sit for more than 24 hours. When the buckets are not being used, pour the water out and clean the bucket. Wooden buckets should be used, as metal ones can become too hot to touch.

Cleaning a sauna is not something that many people think to do regularly, but it is essential to keep the sauna sanitary and pleasurable for everyone to use.