How to keep your sauna clean and comfortable year after year

The cleanliness of the sauna is based on the maintenance of not only the sauna but also the washrooms and dressing room. A clean sauna looks tidy and smells good. By anticipating and regularly cleaning, the sauna facilities will stay in good shape for a longer period and you can enjoy the sauna in pleasant surroundings.

The cleaning of the sauna is not just a matter of cleanliness, as the materials in the sauna will consume the sooner the more cleaning is neglected. The cleaning frequency of the sauna depends on how often the sauna is used. For example, if the sauna is in daily use and there are several bathers, cleaning is necessary at least once a month. A more thorough washing is worth doing about twice a year.

Anticipating helps you keep your sauna tidy

When attention is given to the cleanliness of the sauna during the sauna, it is easier to clean. The surfaces of the benches remain cleaner when the seat covers are used both on the upper and lower benches and on the step bench. When a large proportion of dirt and moisture remains in the seat covers, there is no need to clean the benches all the time. The cloth seat covers fit the purpose best. The life of the benches is also extended by the surface treatment of the protective agent.

A bather should remember that in addition to sweat, also dirt and dead skin cells are released from the body. During one sauna time, a man leaves cuticles even some 10g, so if the benches are not protected and the cleanliness is ensured, the dirt begins to accumulate quickly between the bench woods and even under the benches. Before bathing, it is worthwhile to wash properly, so that some of the dead skin cells goes to the drains of the shower room.

However, anticipation does not eliminate the need for careful cleaning, as dirt always remains on the sauna surfaces as well. In addition, the stove spills water, which flushes the stove stone chips to the tile surface of the floor, and it also should be cleaned off regularly.

A sauna needs to dry

The ventilation of the sauna must be effective, as the wooden structures are affected if they never get dry thoroughly. It is worth investing to ventilation especially in saunas without a window to open.  A sauna dries faster when the electric heater is left on for a moment or a couple of trees are added to a wooden heater after the sauna. It is also good to ventilate a sauna well after use, but only after it has completely cooled down.

Hygiene is also influenced by the temperature at which the sauna is heated. If you always bath in lukewarm 50-60 degrees, some of the bacterial strain will remain in life. In a hot environment, for example in a smoke sauna, the heat kills bacteria and the sauna lasts longer in good condition.

TAIVE benches make it easy to clean the sauna

When designing and constructing a sauna, it is worth noting how cleaning is carried out. It is very difficult or even impossible to manage to clean under some bench solutions.

Cariitti’s TAIVE benches are designed so that they are easily removable for the sauna cleaning. Already at the carpenter’s workshop the benches are treated with a protective wax that protects the surface from moisture and dirt. This way, the benches are easy to keep clean and stay tidy in a long time.

The TAIVE benches have silicone cushioning buttons that not only block the rope, but also emit moisture to evaporation, as the surface of the benches is left out of the frame. The backrest panels in the TAIVE collection help keep the surfaces in shape, as they prevent dirt from entering the walls. Even the backrest panels are removable during washing.

Tips for cleaning the sauna:

• To wash the sauna, use a washing fluid that is suitable for wooden surfaces. Do not use chlorinated substances as chlorine can be released into the air when the sauna is heated.
• A soft brush or sauna washer are suitable cleaning tools for a sauna.
• Before washing, drench the wooden surfaces with warm water to open the pores. Finally rinse with cold water to close the pores.
• Carefully clean the glass walls and doors as they become dirty, as they quickly get untidy.
• Clean the handles of the door, as they collect a lot of germs.
• Be sure to also wash the floor drain to prevent clogging and foul air.

If you are interested in the features of the TAIVE benches, you can learn more about them on our website or in our showroom in Espoo!