If you have own sauna, or frequent one, and are looking to improve your sauna experience, then his article is for you. Simply sitting in a sauna, feeling the heat, with just a towel in hand is great, but there are many accessories out there that can improve your sauna experience.
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The following are 17 sauna accessories that every enthusiast should consider:
1. Your Trusty Sauna Hat
Sauna hats are a must have for any type of sauna use. Whether its a traditional sauna or an infrared, whether its a public sauna or your own home sauna-a good sauna hat will enhance your experience.
The benefits of wearing a sauna hat are twofold. First, they protect your head from overheating allowing your body to heat up more evenly and for you to stay in longer. If you find the heat of the sauna uncomfortably hot, a good sauna hat will do wonders.
Second, they allow you to show off your personal style. Your fun and borderline silly sauna hat (like this aviator hat, complete with goggles) will be the perfect conversation starter.
To see the wide variety of sauna hats available, check out this sauna hat buyers guide.
2. Sauna Rocks
Who doesn’t need a box of rocks? Certainly not the owners of a traditional sauna. If you’ve gone through the rigamarole to build your own personal sauna, then you probably have an eye for the aesthetic and put the are looking to perfect the atmosphere and experience of the sauna.
The sauna rocks on top of your sauna heater will end up being the focal point of your entire sauna. Whether your ladling water, your just fixated on the heater. The sauna rocks are like a campfire, everyone is sitting around it and everybody is gazing at it. You want quality sauna rocks that will COMPLETE the aesthetic.
3. Bucket and Ladle
If you own a traditional sauna, then ladling water on the hot sauna rocks is the cherry on top of your sauna experience. You should definitely get a high quality bucket and ladle. Get something which will match the high quality wood in your sauna.
Or if you prefer, get something which will compliment aesthetic of your sauna, like this copper one.
4. Teak Shower Mat
Standing on warm soft wood is better than standing on cold wet tile. Placing a teak shower mat right outside your sauna and you won’t have to worry about slipping.Teak wood is especially durable and is unlikely to splinter. It is also naturally resistant to mold and mildew.
This teak wood shower mat is noted for its excellent build quality. Its rubber feet will prevent will hold the mat in place, even on slippery wet floors. It looks beautiful and is the perfect touch to give you a luxurious experience.
5. Aromatherapy Oils
Aromatherapy Oils are used to promote health and well-being. There are numerous different oils each providing different benefits and a different experience. Eucalyptus oil is probably the most commonly used oil with saunas. It gives over a pleasant aroma and is thought to help relieve stress and fatigue.
This variety pack is a good start, allowing you to try cherry, eucalyptus, nordic birch, fir tree, and spruce oils.
6. An Aromatherapy Cup
Aromatherapy oils are used in a number of ways, including creams and lotions, facial masks, hot and cold compresses, inhalers and even bath salts. One of the best ways to reap the benefits of aromatherapy is in your sauna.
Aromatherapy Cups like this are easy to attach to your sauna. Simply drip a few drops of oil into the cup and use your sauna like normal.
7. A Back Rest
Give your back a break. The 90° angle between the wall of your sauna and the typical sauna bench leaves plenty to be desired when it comes to comfort.
A good backrest, like this one, has an ergonomic s-shape that will fit and support the natural arch in your back. It is made from high-quality cedar and will match almost any sauna. And it is light and can be moved as desired.
It will work great in both infrared and traditional saunas. And with infrared saunas, it puts a little extra space between you and the infrared panels in your sauna’s walls making for an even safer experience.
8. A Combo Thermometer and Hygrometer
Every sauna owner needs to know the air conditions of their sauna. And who doesn’t love gadgets with dials.
This Double Dial Thermometer/Hygrometer has one dial which displays the temperature in both Fahrenheit and celsius. Its other dial displays the percentage humidity from 0 to 100. The dials are embedded in a quality pine which will look great in any sauna.
If you’re looking for the top of the line model, check out this German-made thermometer/hygrometer at amazon.
9. Sauna Slippers
If you frequent a public sauna, you will definitely want a pair of sauna slippers to protect your feet from the bacteria and fungus that is likely lurking on the sauna floor.
These felt slippers are so comfortable, you will probably want to use them in a home sauna as well. They come in models for men and for women.
For something different, check out these wooden sauna slippers on Etsy.
10. A Sauna Sand Timer
This Sauna Sand Timer is more charming than a digital timer. It is made from cedar and will match perfectly with most sauna.
It takes 15 minutes for the sand to run out–the perfect amount of time for your sauna session.
11. A Sauna Light Shade
Sauna lampshades are responsible for the pleasant and relaxing ambiance of the sauna. Instead of being bombarded with the harsh and intense light of the bulb, the lamp shade bounces the light of of the wooden walls of the sauna creating the orange glow that saunas are known for.
The lighting of a sauna is second only in importance to the heat of the sauna. Good lampshades are as important as the light fixtures themselves. Though somewhat expensive, this lampshade is both effective and elegant.
12. A Sauna Clock
Telling time is simple enough, but you will probably want your sauna clock to match your sauna. This all-wood clock should do the trick.
For whatever reason, ebay seems to have a larger selection of wooden sauna clocks than amazon. I like this one. If you are looking for something with a little more personality, check out this one on etsy.
13. A Sauna Headrest or Pillow
If you are looking for more head and neck support in the sauna, a great option is a wooden headrest. They are a nice choice, not only because they match your sauna, but also because these wooden headrests are more comfortable than they might seem, providing firm support for your head, neck and shoulders.
If you are looking for something softer, there is a nice selection of linen pillows at etsy. Some like this, actually attached to a wooden headrest giving you the best of both worlds. While others are made from linen, designed specifically for use in the Sauna. Most importantly, these sauna pillows can be machine washed!
14. A Foot Massager
Though not designed specifically for saunas, this foot massager can be placed on your sauna floor and used while you are relaxing in the sauna. Not only is it great for conditions like plantar fasciitis, but it will loosen and relax the muscles in your feet.
15. Sauna Seat Cushion
The benefits of a good sauna cushion are twofold: It will provide a soft place for parking your rear in the sauna. And it is also a great way to keep your sauna clean, since the cushion and not your sauna wood will take the brunt of your sweat.
This sauna cushion is made specifically for Radiant brand saunas, but if you measure your space, you will find it will work well with many lines of saunas. I like it because it is resistant to mold and mildew, and because it has a removable cover that can be thrown in the washing machine.
16. A Teak Shower Bench
Whether it’s to sit down on or to place a handy item like a towel, a teak shower bench is just the right thing to have just outside your sauna. Teak wood is premium quality wood which looks good and feels good.
I like this bench because it is sturdy, it looks great, and its adjustable legs mean that you can make it level on all types of floors.
A teak shower bench can be used inside your sauna. If you have a large sauna with room for it, a shower bench can provide additional seating.
This shower bench has a gently curved seat for added comfort.
17. A Bath Broom
A russian bath broom, or venik, is a bundle of twigs and leaves which are used to massage a sauna bathers body. The venik releases essential oils and is said to improve circulation by opening capillaries in the skin.
You can use a bath broom on yourself, but ideally, someone else with massage you as you lie on your stomach or back. The will be slapped or lashed against your skin for several minutes during your sauna. It might not sound pleasant, but it is.
