Why should you bother learning how to clean a sauna ecologically? Isn’t slapping on a bit of detergent enough?
Well, cleaning your sauna without harsh chemicals isn’t just better for the environment—it’s safer for you and your sauna too. Better yet, most of these methods can be found in your kitchen cabinet!
Let’s explore how to clean your sauna in an eco-friendly way and look after ourselves and our planet.
Why choose ecological sauna cleaning methods?
Like we just mentioned above, cleaning your sauna ecologically is a great way to protect both the environment and your sauna.
Two additional reasons to choose ecological methods are:
Safety
Harsh chemical cleaners like you might use in a typical bathroom or kitchen can really harm the soft wood of your sauna. They release toxic fumes and leave behind harmful residues.
But the most terrible thing about this is that when you go to enjoy your next sauna, and the temperature gradually starts to climb, the fumes of those chemical residues will also heat and start to become inhaled by you and your guests. Kind of scary, no?
Opting for natural products ensures a safer experience for everyone using the sauna, while also keeping your equipment in top shape.
Effectiveness
The eco-friendly methods we are going to go through here are just as effective at removing sweat stains, mould, and grime. That means there is really no need for synthetic chemicals!
How to clean a sauna ecologically?
Eco-friendly sauna cleaners:
#1. Vinegar
Vinegar is a popular choice for cleaning saunas because it is cheap, safe and effective! It’s a powerful natural disinfectant that kills bacteria, mould, and germs. It’s also great for removing limescale and mineral buildup from hard water.
How to use it: Dilute half a cup of vinegar with a couple of litres of water to clean sauna benches, floors, and heaters.
Pro tip: Be cautious with tiled areas, as vinegar can damage grout.
#2. Citric Acid
Citric acid is excellent for removing dirt and mineral deposits without harming surfaces.
How to use it: Add a small amount to warm water and use it to wipe down benches and walls. It’s great for tackling hard water stains.
#3. Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralises odours and gently cleans surfaces without abrasives.
How to use it: Mix a pinch of baking soda in a couple litres of water and scrub benches and floors. It’s particularly effective for deodorising and light stain removal.
#4. Clay Stone
Known as universal stone, this eco-friendly cleaner can tackle grime on benches and walls without damaging the wood.
How to use it: Apply a little bit of clay stone to a wet sponge, scrub the surfaces creating a foam, and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
#5. Soda Crystals
Soda crystals are stronger than baking soda, making them a perfect deep-cleaning sauna cleaner.
How to use it: Dissolve half a cup of soda crystals in a couple of litres of water for stubborn dirt or grime. Be cautious—it’s potent stuff! The more intense the dirt, the more concentrated you should make your mixture.
#6. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is not only eco-friendly but leaves behind a fresh, invigorating scent. It also has antibacterial properties.
How to use it: Add a capful of eucalyptus oil-based cleaner to a large bucket (10 litres) of water for a refreshing clean.
#7. Linseed Oil Soap
Linseed oil potassium soap is the only soap suitable for cleaning sauna benches. This soft soap made from linseed oil gently cleans and conditions sauna wood, leaving it smooth and hydrated.
How to use it: Mix 1 litre of linseed oil soap with 5 litres of lukewarm water, scrub along the direction of the wood grain, and dry thoroughly.
Eco sauna maintenance tips
Avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine
Chlorine-based cleaners are harmful to both health and the environment. When used in saunas, they release toxic fumes, especially at high temperatures. Always choose natural alternatives like the ones listed above.
Keep a regular cleaning routine
A regular cleaning routine with ecological products prevents grime buildup, making deep cleaning easier. Quick wipe-downs after each use and monthly deep cleans with eco-friendly products will keep your sauna in top shape.
We put together a quick sauna clean checklist and a monthly deep clean checklist here.
Properly ventilate after each session
Always ventilate your sauna after use! We don’t want mould to build up now do we.
Good airflow is the best way to avoid that happening as it helps dry out any moisture. This simple step can greatly reduce the need for harsh cleaning chemicals in the first place.
Oil sauna benches with linseed oil
This step is completely optional and your choice – but if you feel like it, you can treat your benches annually with linseed oil.
This not only protects the wood but deepens its colour, giving it a refreshed, polished look.
Avoid pine soap
Pine soap is difficult to rinse off because it contains pine oil. An invisible film remains on the surface of the wood or in your tile grout, collecting dirt. This is going to make it harder for you to clean your sauna.
Wrapping up
By learning how to clean a sauna ecologically, you protect your health, extend the life of your sauna, and reduce your environmental impact.
Natural sauna cleaning methods like vinegar, baking soda, and citric acid offer effective cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals. So why not give these methods a try? Your sauna—and the planet—will thank you!Semantic Keywords:
Our sauna cleaning checklists are freely available here.
If you’re still hungry for more info on saunas – from types, to cost, to key features you should look for – we’ve put together an absolute beast of a post covering everything you need to know to choose your perfect home sauna.
