How to Clean a Sauna (and Keep It Smelling Good)
Clean a sauna with warm water, mild sauna cleaner and good drying — never harsh chemicals or a sealant. A simple routine and deep-clean method that works.
A sauna cleans itself less than people assume. The same heat and sweat that make it feel good also soak into bare wood, and without a simple routine the benches darken, the room starts to smell, and moisture lingers where it shouldn’t. The good news: cleaning a sauna is quick, cheap, and mostly about water and air — not chemicals.
The short answer
Clean a sauna with warm water and a mild, sauna-safe cleaner, scrub stains gently, rinse, and — most importantly — dry it thoroughly with the vents open. Never use bleach, strong solvents, or any sealant on the bare interior wood. A towel under you during each session prevents most of the mess in the first place.
The daily habit that does the most
The best cleaning is the mess you prevent. Two habits handle most of it:
- Sit on a towel. It catches sweat before it soaks into the bench — the number-one cause of stains and odour.
- Air it out after every use. Leave the door and vents open so the room dries fully. Trapped moisture is what breeds smell and mildew.
Do those two things and cleaning becomes a light, occasional task rather than a battle.
The regular clean
For a home sauna in regular use, once a week:
- Let it cool and remove any loose items, duckboards and bench mats.
- Wipe benches and backrests with warm water and a little mild sauna cleaner, using a soft cloth or brush.
- Do the floor — sweep out debris, then wipe or mop. Pay attention to under the benches, where sweat and dust collect.
- Rinse with clean water; don’t leave cleaner residue on bare wood.
- Dry completely. Open the door and vents, or run the heater briefly on low, until everything is dry to the touch.
The periodic deep clean
Every month or two, go further:
- Scrub stubborn stains on the benches. Because the wood is bare, light sanding with fine sandpaper lifts sweat stains and greying and brings back a fresh surface.
- Clean around the heater and check the stones, clearing out accumulated grit and dust.
- Wash duckboards, mats and backrests separately and let them dry fully before returning them.
- Check the corners and floor drain (if fitted) for standing water or debris.
What never to use
This is the same logic as leaving interior wood unfinished in the first place, covered in our interior wood guide: the surface has to breathe.
Keeping it fresh long-term
Odour and staining almost always trace back to two root causes — sweat soaking into wood, and moisture that never fully dries. Fix those and the sauna stays sweet on its own: use a towel, clean lightly and often, dry thoroughly every time, and make sure your ventilation actually moves air. Fold the deeper tasks into a seasonal routine with our sauna maintenance checklist, and the room will smell like warm cedar for years instead of a gym bag.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean a sauna?
Wipe benches and floor with warm water and a mild, sauna-safe cleaner, scrub any stains with a soft brush, rinse, and let everything dry thoroughly with the vents open. Do this regularly, and a deeper clean periodically. Avoid harsh chemicals and sealants.
What should you not use to clean a sauna?
Avoid bleach, ammonia, strong solvents and any film-forming sealant or varnish. They can be absorbed by the bare wood, release fumes when heated, or damage the surface. Mild, purpose-made sauna cleaners or plain warm water are best.
How do I get rid of sauna smell or stains?
Most odour comes from sweat absorbed into benches and trapped moisture. Regular cleaning plus thorough drying fixes it; for stains, lightly sand the bare wood or use a dedicated sauna cleaner. Improving ventilation prevents recurrence.
How often should you clean a sauna?
Give benches and floor a quick wipe and a proper airing-out regularly with use — weekly for a busy home sauna. Do a deeper clean, including under the benches and around the heater, every month or two.
Can you use vinegar to clean a sauna?
A diluted vinegar solution is sometimes used for spot-cleaning and deodorising bare wood, followed by a rinse and thorough drying. Use it sparingly, avoid soaking the wood, and never mix cleaning products.
How do you keep sauna benches hygienic?
Sit on a towel, wipe benches down after use, dry the room with the vents open, and clean regularly. A towel between skin and wood is the single most effective hygiene habit.
