Wood care in the sauna

The interior of a sauna consists mainly of wood. Natural woods are used for this purpose. Over time, light to medium soiling can be deposited here, the wood can darken. In some cases, resin leaks out. In this article you can read how the wood is properly treated, disinfected, cleaned and cared for in the sauna.

Basic wood care in the sauna

As a natural product, the wood in the sauna does not require any special care in most cases and should always be left in its natural state. With proper use and sufficient ventilation of the sauna cabin, germs, fungi and mildew should also be prevented from forming. Basically, the wood in the sauna must always dry out well after use. Make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. For benches, we recommend the use of obeche, which is naturally well protected against deeper soiling and germ formation due to its small-pored structure. The use of sauna towels is a must in order to avoid contamination by sweat, for example.

Under no circumstances should wood in the interior of the sauna be painted, varnished, impregnated or treated with wood preservatives. These agents evaporate when the sauna is heated, e.g. by an electric sauna oven, and the partly harmful vapours are inhaled. In addition, the structure and natural properties of the wood can be affected by such a wood treatment.

One way to seal wood in the sauna is to use a suitable paraffin oil. This is absorbed into the surface, but does not hinder the exchange of moisture and air in the surface structure. Apply paraffin oil evenly and thinly when the sauna has cooled down, let it soak in and dry for about an hour, then wipe off excess oil with a damp cloth. Before doing so, test on an invisible spot how the wood reacts to the oil.

Disinfection in the sauna

If you want to disinfect the wood in the sauna, use only suitable disinfectants that are available especially for the sauna area. Such agents are often offered as sprays and are easy to use. After disinfection, rinse the surfaces with plenty of water and let the wood dry completely.

If the sauna is used correctly and is well ventilated, disinfection will only be necessary at longer intervals.

Removing superficial dirt and discoloration

If stains are found on the sauna wood, they can in most cases be removed with a fine sandpaper. If this is not sufficient, use the next coarser grain and always sand with the fibre. After each sanding cycle, rinse the wood with plenty of water and let it dry again. In the end, use the finest grain again.

Deeper contamination can be removed with a hydrogen peroxide based wood bleach. For this purpose, we recommend treating large areas to achieve an even result. You can also use this option if the wood in the sauna has darkened unwantedly.

Resin on sauna wood

With some woods, such as Nordic spruce, resin leaks out. You can dissolve and remove fresh resin with a solvent such as acetone, and hardened resin is best removed with a scraper. Pay particular attention to horizontal surfaces from which the resin could drip onto underlying surfaces when heated.

Basically, the following applies: Sauna wood is a natural product and should be left as such during care and cleaning. Good drying after each use of the sauna is a good prerequisite for this. Coatings in the interior of the sauna cabin should be avoided in any case. To care for the wood in the sauna, use only cleaning and care products that are specially offered for this purpose sparingly