A sauna is meant to be a place to relax, not another household chore. The good news is that home saunas are very low maintenance, and when cared for properly, they stay clean with minimal effort.
In practical terms, keeping a sauna in good condition usually takes:
- About 30 seconds after each session
- 5–10 minutes once a week
- 15 minutes once a month
This guide explains exactly how to do that — without harsh chemicals, unnecessary products, or complicated routines.
Basic Cleaning Supplies to Have on Hand
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Before getting into the cleaning schedule, it helps to keep a few simple items nearby. None of these are specialized or expensive, but having the right tools makes sauna cleaning faster and safer for the wood.
You’ll want:
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
- Empty spray bottles for mixing a vinegar-and-water solution
- A mild, sauna-safe wood cleaner for occasional deeper cleaning
- Large cotton towels for sauna use
Optional but useful:
- Fine-grit sandpaper (360–600 grit) for rare stain removal
These are the only supplies most sauna owners ever need.
Why Sauna Cleaning Is Relatively Simple
Moisture is what allows bacteria and odors to develop. Because saunas produce dry heat, they are naturally easier to keep clean than pools, hot tubs, or steam rooms.
That said:
- Infrared saunas tend to be slightly easier to maintain
- Traditional saunas require a bit more attention due to higher heat and occasional steam
You’ll sweat in both types. Sweat can drip onto benches and floors, and over time it can stain the wood if it isn’t wiped away.
Beyond sweat, most sauna cleaning involves nothing more than dust and tracked-in dirt, which is easy to manage with light, regular care.
Daily Habits That Prevent Most Cleaning Issues
Rinse off before using the sauna
If possible, take a quick rinse or shower before your session. This removes dirt and dead skin cells before they ever reach the sauna and dramatically reduces buildup.
Use towels on benches
The single easiest way to keep a sauna clean is to place a towel on the bench wherever you sit or lie down. After your session, that towel goes straight into the laundry, protecting the wood from sweat and oils.
Using a towel also:
- Reduces staining
- Extends the life of benches
- Makes post-session cleanup almost effortless
Some people also bring a second towel inside to dab sweat during longer sessions, which many find makes the experience more comfortable.
Quick Wipe-Down After Each Session
After every session, wipe down the area where you were sitting using:
- Plain water, or
- A light vinegar-and-water solution
Many owners prefer distilled or filtered water to avoid mineral buildup on the wood.
You should never use harsh cleaners, ammonia, or strong disinfectants on sauna wood. These products can damage, discolor, or dry out the interior surfaces.
A simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle works well for routine cleaning and leaves no residue.
Leave the sauna door open after use. Leave the sauna door open after using the sauna to allow any moisture remaining in the sauna to escape an evaporate.
If you use towels and keep your spray bottle handy, then cleaning the sauna after each session should take no more than 30 seconds.
Weekly Cleaning
Each week (or once every 5 to 7 sessions if you don’t use the sauna daily) you should do a more thorough cleaning. You should continue to wipe with vinegar and water, but now you should get the entire sauna surface, not just the areas where you sit.
If there are any stubborn stains or dirt, now is the time to use a mild soap or a cleaner that is specifically designed for saunas. Check out this one at Amazon.
Don’t over do it, the interior wood of a sauna is delicate. If you have been wiping down your sauna after every session, it won’t need a lot of cleaning. Weekly cleaning should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes.
Monthly Cleaning
Once a month you should spend 15 minutes getting all the dirt out of your sauna.
Sweep out and mop the floors of the sauna. Again, when mopping use a mild soap, diluted with water. Use a vacuum to clean dust and dirt from the benches, walls, nooks and crevices of the sauna.
If still have any sweat or water stains, which you haven’t been able to get out, you can remove them with a light sanding. Use a fine grain sand paper (360 to 600 grit). You can also sand out any scuffs or scratches.
Yearly Maintenance
Once a year, you should lightly sand the interior wood of your sauna with a fine grade sand paper (360 to 600 grit).
You should also check your sauna for any loose screws and tighten them. Check to see that your door hinges are tight and oil if necessary.
Finally, look for any parts that need to be repaired or replaced.
Mold
If, at any time, you discover mold in your sauna, you should take immediate action. This is the only instance where you should consider using a bleach based product in your sauna. Clean the affected area thoroughly and make sure to air out the sauna before using it again.
If there is mold, it will likely be in between grates, near vents, drains, or anywhere moisture accumulates. If you find that a particular part of your sauna tends to accumulate moisture, than you should take special care to dry these parts after every sauna session to prevent mold from ever occurring.
As long as you take care to dry out your sauna after every use, mold should never
be an issue.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Sauna Heater
Most electric sauna heaters are relatively low maintenance, but a small amount of routine care helps them heat efficiently and last longer. The main goals are to keep dust and residue off surfaces and to make sure stones remain in good condition.
Before cleaning, always make sure the heater is powered off and fully cool.
Wipe down the exterior surfaces
Many heaters have stainless steel surfaces that can be wiped with a damp cloth. For routine cleaning, plain water is usually enough.
For occasional deeper cleaning, many owners use a gentle vinegar-and-water spray solution to remove light residue without harsh chemicals.
Use a cloth that won’t leave lint behind. Many people keep microfiber cleaning cloths dedicated to sauna cleaning because they work well and are easy to wash.
Remove stones and clear debris
Over time, small stone chips and dust can collect in the heater’s stone compartment. If you notice debris, remove the stones and wipe out the heater’s trough gently with a cloth.
If you want to refresh the stones, you can rinse them with clean water, let them dry completely, then return them to the heater. Avoid strong cleaners on stones—simple rinsing is usually sufficient.
When to replace sauna stones
Sauna stones can last years, but they do break down. If you notice stones chipping, cracking, or producing excessive dust, it’s time to replace them. Fresh stones help maintain good airflow through the heater and improve heat efficiency.
Many owners keep a spare box of traditional sauna stones for electric heaters on hand so replacement is easy when needed.
Re-stack stones correctly (important)
When placing stones back into the heater, avoid packing them too tightly. Airflow matters. Stones should be stacked in a stable way that allows air to circulate through the heater.
If stones are jammed together too tightly, the heater may run hotter than necessary and heating can become less efficient.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Portable Sauna
After every use you should wipe out your portable sauna with a towel. You want it to be as dry as possible. On occasion you can wipe the inside of the sauna with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or disinfectant cleaning spray.
Lift up your portable sauna and check underneath it to see if there is any accumulated moisture. If moisture tends accumulated underneath your sauna, you will want to flip the sauna on its side so that both the bottom of the sauna and the floor underneath can dry.
Some portable saunas have covers that can be machine washed and hung to dry. Check your users manual for details. Other portable saunas have detachable cloth collars that can be removed and thrown in with the laundry.
Caring for an Outdoor Sauna
With an outdoor sauna it is all the more likely that dirt will be tracked into the interior of the sauna. For this reason, you will likely need to vacuum and sweep and outdoor sauna more often than an indoor sauna.
The exterior surface wood of an outdoor sauna does not need to be treated. They will weather naturally. If you prefer, you can stain the exterior of a wood sauna. Look for a stain that protects against ultra violet rays. You should never paint or varnish the exterior of your sauna.
You can pressure wash the exterior of an outdoor sauna, but you should never pressure was the inside of a sauna, as the interior wood is delicate and is likely to be damaged.
If ever in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Related Questions
How often should a home sauna be cleaned? Any part of the sauna that is touched by skin should be wiped down after each use. Light cleaning of the sauna should be done weekly and the sauna should be vacuumed and mopped once per month.
How do you treat a wooden sauna? You should never treat, varnish, stain or paint the interior wood of sauna. The outside of a wooden sauna can be stained, but it is not necessary.
How can you make your sauna smell better? Regular cleaning will minimize unwanted odors. You should leave the door open to allow air to flow in and out of the sauna. You can wipe the sauna with essential oils.
Is a sauna self-cleaning? To say a sauna is self-cleaning is a bit of an exaggeration. Because they are hot and dry, they tend to be easier to clean and more hygienic than a pool or Jacuzzi, but you do have to clean them.
