If you own or operate a traditional sauna, you know that the quiet, heat-soaked relaxation it delivers only works when the space itself is clean, safe, and true to its roots. As a traditional sauna supplier, we’ve spent years helping homeowners and small businesses maintain these timeless spaces—not just with high-quality builds like our Redwood Outdoor Sauna or Luxury Outdoor Sauna, but with practical, science-backed cleaning routines that protect both the wood craftsmanship and the health of everyone who uses the space. Many new sauna owners underestimate how environmental factors, use frequency, and basic wear can turn a once-inviting retreat into a space that harbors bacteria, mold, or unwanted odors. The good news is that cleaning a traditional sauna doesn’t require harsh chemicals or fancy tools—it just needs consistency and an understanding of how its materials work. Below, we’ll walk through a step-by-step guide to cleaning a traditional sauna, explain why each step matters, and share pro tips to keep your sauna in top shape for years to come.
First, it’s important to distinguish traditional saunas from other types of heat spaces, like infrared saunas. Traditional saunas use a wood-burning or electric heater to heat rocks, which then radiate dry heat that warms the body directly. Most are crafted from soft, insulating woods like cedar, hemlock, or, for outdoor models, redwood—woods that are naturally resistant to moisture and decay, but not immune to regular wear. The heat and humidity from sauna use (even dry heat, sweat creates mild humidity) create a microenvironment where microbes thrive if left unchecked. Sweat contains salts, oils, and dead skin cells that can build up on benches, floors, and walls over time. Mold and mildew tend to grow in damp, poorly ventilated spaces, so addressing that early is key. Our team at AB Sauna (our brand name, no fancy corporate link here) has seen firsthand how skipping even small cleaning steps can lead to long-term issues like wood discoloration or persistent odors that ruin the sauna experience.
The first rule of sauna cleaning is to establish a regular cleaning schedule, tailored to how often you use the space. For home saunas used 1-2 times a week, a weekly light clean is enough; for commercial saunas or home saunas used daily, a post-use daily tidy-up and a deep clean every 2 weeks is non-negotiable. Routine cleaning prevents grime from setting in, making deep cleans easier and less abrasive on the wood over time.
Let’s start with the daily post-use tidy-up, which takes just 10-15 minutes and is foundational to good sauna maintenance. Right after use, while the sauna is still warm (not scorching hot—turn the heater off and let it cool to around 100-110°F, or 38-43°C, before starting), grab a soft, lint-free cloth or a non-abrasive nylon brush and wipe down all horizontal surfaces: benches, floor edges, and the back of the heater (avoid touching the hot rocks directly). Sweat and oils left to dry on cold surfaces will be much harder to remove later, so this quick wipe prevents that buildup. For any bench that has noticeable sweat stains, a mild solution is to mix one part white vinegar with four parts warm water—vinegar is a natural deodorizer and mild disinfectant that won’t damage wood, unlike harsh bleach or ammonia. Wipe gently in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratching or dulling the finish. After wiping, leave the sauna door and vents fully open for at least 30 minutes to let all moisture escape. Ventilation is one of the most overlooked parts of sauna cleaning: a sauna that’s closed up after use traps moisture, turning a mild damp environment into a breeding ground for mold. For outdoor models, like our Redwood Outdoor Sauna, which are exposed to weather elements year-round, double-check that the drainage holes in the floor are clear of leaves or debris after each use to prevent standing water.
Once a week (for home saunas) or every two weeks (for heavy-use saunas), it’s time for a deeper clean that targets all surfaces and addresses any hidden grime. Start with a more thorough wipe down of all walls, benches, and floors using the same vinegar-water solution, or a wood-safe sauna cleaner (avoid generic wood cleaners, which may have harsh chemicals that strip the natural wood oils). For textured wood surfaces, use a soft-bristled brush to work the solution gently into the grain, which lifts embedded dirt without scratching. Be extra careful around the heater rocks: while you don’t need to scrub the rocks themselves (the high heat they reach during use kills most bacteria), you can wipe the area around the rocks (the heater frame) with the same solution to remove any dust or residue that falls there.
Next, address the sauna floor. Traditional saunas typically have a solid wood floor or a grated slat floor, and standing water on the floor is the number one cause of odors and mold. For solid wood floors, after wiping down, use a dry microfiber mop or cloth to soak up any remaining moisture, then prop a fan near the open sauna door to circulate air and speed up drying—do not use a wet vacuum, as the suction can force moisture into the wood’s pores, causing warping. For grated slat floors, which are common in outdoor saunas like our Luxury Outdoor Sauna, you can use a low-pressure garden hose to rinse the slats, making sure to aim away from the sauna’s walls to avoid water seeping into the wood’s joints. After rinsing, leave the door and vents open for several hours (or overnight, if possible) to let every part of the sauna dry completely.
One often-overlooked area is the sauna door and vent seals. Rubber or foam seals around the door and vents prevent heat and moisture from escaping, but they can also collect dirt, mold, and mildew over time. Every month, remove the seals (if they’re removable) or wipe them down with a mild soapy solution (dish soap and warm water) and a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry before putting them back—never use oil-based products on seals, as they can cause the rubber to degrade. For glass sauna doors, if you have one, use a glass cleaner that’s ammonia-free to avoid streaks that can trap moisture; spray the cleaner on the cloth, not directly on the glass, to prevent it from seeping into the wood around the door.
For outdoor traditional saunas, there are additional steps to keep in mind due to exposure to sun, rain, and debris. Seasonal deep cleans are a must: before summer and before winter, give your sauna a thorough once-over. In the fall, remove leaves, pine needles, or other debris from around the sauna’s base and drainage system. In the winter, if you live in a cold climate, you can lightly mist the wood with a food-grade mineral oil every few months to replenish its natural moisture resistance—this is especially important for redwood, which is naturally durable but still benefits from a small layer of protection against harsh winter winds. Never use paint or stain on your sauna’s interior wood; the open grain of traditional sauna wood is designed to let the wood “breathe,” trapping heat and creating the perfect sauna environment, while also allowing any residual moisture to evaporate.
Now, let’s talk about what to avoid when cleaning a traditional sauna, because some common cleaning products can do more harm than good. First, never use bleach, ammonia, or harsh disinfectants on wood surfaces. These products strip the wood’s natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to cracking, and they can also leave toxic residues that get released into the air when the heater is turned on—these residues can irritate lungs and skin. Second, never use steel wool or abrasive scouring pads, which scratch the wood’s surface and create tiny crevices where bacteria and grime can hide. Third, never clean a hot sauna—wait at least 30 minutes after turning off the heater to let temperatures drop, so you don’t burn yourself or cause the wood to expand rapidly (which can lead to warping over time).
Pro tips from our team: For stubborn sweat stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and warm water, apply it to the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft brush and wipe clean. Baking soda is gentle enough for wood and works as a natural odor eliminator. If your sauna has a persistent mildew smell, leave a small bowl of white vinegar or activated charcoal inside the closed sauna overnight after a deep clean—these items absorb odors without harsh chemicals. And for regular maintenance, placing a small towel rack inside the sauna (if you don’t already have one) encourages users to hang their towels instead of leaving them on benches, which prevents extra moisture and dirt buildup.
Cleaning a traditional sauna is more than just a chore—it’s how you honor the craftsmanship that goes into building these spaces, and how you ensure every use is safe, relaxing, and true to the sauna’s age-old purpose. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet weekend at home in a custom outdoor sauna or running a commercial space that welcomes dozens of guests a week, a consistent cleaning routine will extend the life of your sauna by years. If you’re in the market for a new traditional sauna, we offer high-quality options like our Redwood Outdoor Sauna, crafted from sustainably sourced redwood that’s naturally resistant to decay and perfect for outdoor use, or our Luxury Outdoor Sauna, designed for maximum comfort and durability. We work with both homeowners and business owners to find the right sauna for their space, and we’re here to answer any questions you have about cleaning, maintenance, or installation. If you’d like to learn more about our products or discuss sourcing a traditional sauna for your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for a personalized consultation.
References
- International Sauna Association. (2021). Sauna Maintenance and Hygiene Guidelines.
- American Wood Protection Association. (2020). Wood Care for Outdoor Recreational Structures.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Healthy Sauna Use: Preventing Microbial Growth in Recreational Water Facilities.
- Redwood Inspection Service. (2022). Properties of Redwood for Outdoor Structures.
- Journal of Environmental Health. (2021). Microbial Contamination in Indoor Hot Spaces: Cleaning Best Practices for Traditional Saunas.