How To Clean An Infrared Sauna (Guide)

Cleaning an infrared sauna seems like it would be an intricate task, but it’s actually straightforward. 

With regular use, your infrared sauna will accumulate sweat, body oil, dirt and dead skin cells. To ensure that you’re receiving your infrared sauna’s maximum benefits, you should prioritise keeping your sauna clean and well-maintained.

Luckily, everything you need to clean your infrared sauna is most likely already in your home. Infrared saunas are relatively low maintenance. Ultimately, less is more when it comes to cleaning. 

In this guide, we discuss actions to take before, during and after when cleaning your infrared sauna. By following these steps, your sauna will feel brand new for years to come.

Before and During Your Infrared Sauna Session

The easiest way to keep your infrared sauna clean is to take preventative measures before your sauna sessions. 

Before your sessions, apply beeswax to the backrests, seat, and floor heater guard, to repel sweat. Take a shower and place a floor mat at the entrance of your sauna to minimise the amount of dirt you bring into your sauna.

When you enter the sauna, wrap yourself in a towel or place a towel over the sauna bench seat. Regularly wipe sweat from your body during your sauna sessions as well as placing a small towel under your feet. This will help reduce sweat from dripping onto your infrared sauna’s floor heater.

Do NOT cover more than 30% of the floor heater with a towel. Allow some breathing space at either end of the heater. 

After Your Infrared Sauna Session

After each sauna session, either leave the door open to properly air out the sauna or leave it running for 20 minutes to dry out any excess sweat. Remove and wash any towels used. 

This applies to every saunas, no matter the size; whether you have a mini infrared sauna or a three person infrared sauna, the following cleaning steps after your sessions applies to both.

Cleaning the Bench 

Since the bench receives the most skin contact, you should wipe down the bench with a damp fibre cloth to remove any sweat droplets or dirt residue after every session. 

For deeper cleans, you can purchase a sauna cleaning solution or create a simple sauna cleaner solution with warm water and a small amount of white vinegar. Every 3-5 sessions, use a fibre cloth dipped in the cleaning solution to wipe down the bench to avoid the accumulation of dirt or any unpleasant odours. Wipe down the cleaned areas with a damp cloth afterwards to rinse the vinegar. Leave the sauna door open after using the cleaning solution to allow the vinegar odour to fade.

Since the internal timber surfaces of the sauna are unfinished, you can safely use fine grit sandpaper to remove any unwanted marks or stains and keep the wood looking fresh. Sand in the direction of the timber grain. Since the timber is unfinished, do not apply paint or stain to the sauna. 

Cleaning the Floor 

The sauna floor is also a hotspot for bacteria as your feet are constantly in contact with it. Follow the same cleaning procedures as you would for the sauna bench. Use a mop with the cleaning solution for a deeper clean. Use a handheld vacuum or broom to remove dirt, dust, and hair from your sauna floor when necessary. 

Every few weeks, lift the floor heater guard and gently wipe the surface of the heater panel clean with a damp fibre cloth. You can use a small amount of dish soap if necessary. Do NOT scrub the heater with excessive pressure. Follow the same guidelines for cleaning the wall heater panels. Before cleaning the heater panels, ensure they have cooled down if you have recently used the sauna. Do not use the sauna again until the heater panels are completely dry. 

Cleaning the Walls

Since your sauna walls with have little contact with your skin, they will not need to be cleaned as often as the bench or floor. Once or twice a month, wipe them down with the sauna cleaning solution. 

To clean the glass door, spray the glass with your choice of natural glass cleaner or the sauna cleaning solution and wipe it down with a dry cloth. 

Avoid detergents or anything that has the potential to off-gas harmful fumes. Avoid using excessive water or hosing down the interior to clean your sauna. 

Final Thoughts

Taking care of yourself includes taking care of your infrared sauna. With proper preventative measures, such as showering before and using a towel while in the infrared sauna, you can reduce sweat, body oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from accumulating in your sauna.

Therefore cleaning your infrared sauna remains quick and easy. By also wiping down your sauna and leaving the door open after each use, you’ll reduce the overall amount of time you spend cleaning your sauna. 

We also have a section on cleaning your infrared sauna within our owners manual guide, so make sure to check that out too!

If you have any specific questions on how to clean your infrared sauna, contact us and we’d be happy to help!