Infrared Sauna Maintenance Tips: An Updated Guide

Infrared saunas are good for your heart, and your health. But we need to look after our prized gadgets – regular infrared sauna maintenance ensures that your sauna continues to operate efficiently and safely.

From cleaning infrared panels to keeping the wood looking sleek, we will walk you through the basic steps necessary to maintain your sauna for years of trouble-free use.

It’s super easy – let’s start.

Step one: clean you, clean sauna

Just like with any other type of sauna, it is important that you clean yourself first before using it!

Why? Well, your body is the only way that dirt, oil and bacteria can enter the sauna.

So, wiping off your feet before use, and taking a quick shower if you feel it’s needed before hand are good steps.

Remember to dry off after your shower so you aren’t bringing in excess moisture.

Use a towel on the bench while you’re seated. Not only is this comfortable, it also prevents oils and sweat stains from seeping into the wood!

Step two: wood care

Now, this section does not differ from any other type of sauna wood care.

We’ve covered sauna wood care across our main cleaning guide and maintenance tips posts, however for sake of convenience we will provide a quick rundown right here.

Basically, sauna wood is soft and specialised. It needs to breathe, and it definitely doesn’t want any varnishes or paints covering it. This would not only harm your sauna, but also yourself when you inhale the heated fumes!

It is very simple to care for sauna wood. Here are the main things to know:

1. Sand sauna benches: Gently sand your sauna benches annually to prevent splintering and remove stains from sweat (remember to vacuum after sanding)
2. Oil the wood: (this is optional – purely your choice) apply natural wood oils such as paraffin or linseed once annually to keep wood moisturized and prevent cracking
3. Avoid moisture damage: Prevention is key! Keep sauna doors or vents open after each session to air out moisture

Keep it simple! This upkeep is all very minimal stuff.

Step three: routine clean down

Again, keeping it simple here.

Due to the dry heat of infrared, very little cleaning is required.

• Aim to wipe down benches after every use
• Use a soft sauna brush to clean a little more every 3-5 uses
• Vacuum the floor once a month or so
• Wipe sauna floor from time to time with a natural cleaning solution
• Wipe down glass with any natural glass cleaner

If you are using a halotherapy (salt therapy) device such as the Halo One in conjunction with your infrared sessions, be sure to wipe down metal components inside your sauna after each use. This is to avoid any damage from salt particles.

Step four: caring for infrared panels

Infrared sauna heating panels literally just need the occasional wipe down (so easy, right?!)

First, turn off heating elements.

• Use the sauna cleaner of your choice and a sponge or microfibre cloth to remove dirt, dust, fingerprints etc.
• Avoid harsh chemical cleaners (these release fumes when your sauna is heated)
• Regularly check for dust-build up on heating elements – this reduces efficiency

How do I prevent mold and mildew in my infrared sauna?

This is really as simple as keeping the doors and vents open after use, as mentioned above, and ensuring that no excess moisture is somehow creeping in.

So – no wearing a sopping wet swimsuit. Towel off after your shower.

Wipe up excess pools of moisture after use etc etc.

That’s really all there is to it!

What electrical maintenance is required?

Unless you are a qualified electrician, we don’t recommend carrying out any electrical work on your sauna.

However, you can still check the control panel while using to make sure temperature control is functioning the way it should be.

When should i call a professional for repairs?

If you start noticing any of these things happening, might be time to call someone out

• Overheating issues
• Poor heat distribution
• Very slow warm-up times

Unless you have professional experience with electrical work, we recommend calling out a pro or contacting the sauna brand if you notice anything broken.

It’s much better to get a professional opinion rather than risk worsening the issue by performing a dodgy home repair!

Wrap up

Regular infrared sauna maintenance is crucial to getting the most out of your sauna experience. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

The best way to stay on top of everything is just keep the door open after each use, wipe it down, check the electricals for any weird flaws, and do a couple of very basic annual maintenance tasks!

Not only are you maintaining efficiency, you’re also ensuring a safe, relaxing environment for years to come!

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.

FAQs About Infrared Sauna Maintenance