Compared to other wood surfaces, saunas should never be painted or varnished. This allows the natural wood to breathe and absorb moisture, keeping it clean and feeling soft in the heat.
You can buy a cleaning solution made explicitly for saunas or use your homemade cleaner, such as a baking soda concoction. Having a scrub brush with a V-shaped tip for more effective cleaning is also a good idea.
Clean the Heater
In a steam shower, the main portion of the facility that needs regular cleaning is the heater. This is the part that absorbs and holds sweat stains from every user. Perspiration stains can be easily removed from the wood by lightly sanding it. This should be done after each use.
Besides the usual cleaners and disinfectants, it is also necessary to use an anti-mold spray in the sauna. This is because molds are harmful to the health and produce odors that can cause nausea and other illnesses.
It is recommended to have staff wipe down all surfaces of the sauna before and after each use. This is especially important for benches and backrests, where users sit and sweat the most. Also, it is essential never to paint or stain the sauna’s interior because the wood must be able to breathe and release moisture. Instead, a light cleaning with soap and water should be enough.
Clean the Floor
Using the same brush and cleaning solution used for the walls, scrub the floor to eliminate any build-up of dirt or stains that may have formed. If your sauna has wood benches, use a disinfectant such as 3% hydrogen peroxide to clean the seating and bench surfaces. This will prevent sweat, body oils, and bacteria from accumulating on the surface of the wood. If a stubborn stain remains, the surface can be sanded with fine-grained sandpaper (360 to 600 grit) to eliminate the stain.
Although a variety of commercial cleaning products are effective at cleaning sauna surfaces, you can easily make your homemade cleanser with ingredients readily available in most homes. A simple mixture of three-part water and organic cider vinegar is an excellent cleanser for sanitizing the surfaces of your sauna and only costs a fraction of what commercial cleaners cost. This environmentally harmonious method is gentle on all sauna surfaces and materials.
Clean the Seats
The high temperatures of custom saunas make it difficult for bacteria and fungi to grow. However, the room must still be cleaned regularly to maintain hygienic conditions.
Wood surfaces in the sauna must be regularly scrubbed with antibacterial cleaners and soap. This is especially important with benches, backrests, and footrests, as sweat can stain the wood. In addition, the sauna’s stones should be washed with a solution of water and gentle soap. The heating stones may need to be replaced annually. Be sure to post clear cleaning instructions near the entrance of your sauna so that users are aware of what needs to be done when entering the room. This will prevent them from doing things that could damage the room and harm their health.
Clean the Walls
After each use of the sauna, rinse the walls and benches with clean water. This helps keep bacteria from building up on surfaces and prevents mold build-up. You can use a cleaner that is designed specifically for saunas, or you can try a natural homemade vinegar cleaner. This type of cleanser is very effective and doesn’t expose your skin or the surfaces in your sauna to harsh acids or chemicals.
It is also a good idea to periodically spray the surfaces of your sauna with a disinfectant that will kill germs and bacteria. You can use a commercial disinfectant or make your own using equal parts water and vinegar. Use appropriate safety gear when cleaning or sanitizing your sauna, including inhalation masks and protective eyewear if the cleaning solution contains bleach or other chemical agents. Also, never paint or stain your sauna’s interior. Stains and paints prevent the natural wood from breathing and will cause your sauna to deteriorate faster.
