Wood care in the sauna

The interior of a sauna is mainly made of wood. Natural wood is used for this purpose. Over time, light to medium soiling can accumulate and the wood can darken. In some cases, resin may leak out. This article explains how to properly treat, disinfect, clean and care for the wood 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. If the sauna cabin is used correctly and sufficiently ventilated, germs, fungi and mould are unlikely to form. The wood in the sauna must always be allowed to dry thoroughly after use. Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. For benches, we recommend the use of abachi, 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 soiling from sweat, for example.

Under no circumstances should wood inside 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 heater, and the sometimes harmful vapours are inhaled. In addition, the structure and natural properties of the wood can be affected by such wood treatment.

One way of sealing 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, allow it to soak in and dry for about an hour, then wipe off any excess oil with a damp cloth. Test how the wood reacts to the oil on an invisible area beforehand.

Disinfection in the sauna

If you want to disinfect the wood in the sauna, only use suitable disinfectants that are specifically designed for use in saunas. Such products are often available as sprays and are easy to use. After disinfection, rinse the surfaces with plenty of water and then allow the wood to dry completely.

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

Remove superficial soiling and discolouration

If there are stains on the sauna wood, in most cases these can be removed with fine sandpaper. If this is not sufficient, use the next coarser grain size and always sand with the fibre. After each sanding cycle, rinse the wood with plenty of water and then allow it to dry again. Finally, use the finest grit again.

Deeper stains can be removed with a hydrogen peroxide-based wood bleaching agent. We recommend treating large areas to achieve an even result. You can also use this option if the wood in the sauna has darkened undesirably.

Resin on sauna wood

Some woods, such as Nordic spruce, leak resin. Freshly leaked resin can be dissolved and removed with a solvent such as acetone; 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.

As a general rule, 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 on the inside of the sauna cabin should always be avoided. To care for the wood in the sauna, only use cleaning and care products specifically designed for this purpose sparingly.

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