Here is how to clean a sauna the way the makers recommend: air it out and wipe the benches dry after every session, wash the wood gently every week or two, check stones, vents and fittings each season, and deep clean once a year. No bleach, no varnish, and on an infrared sauna, no water on the heaters. Everything below comes from care guides and manuals we opened from LeisureCraft (the Dundalk brand), Harvia and an infrared sauna maker.
Sauna cleaning schedule at a glance
| When | Traditional sauna | Infrared sauna |
|---|---|---|
| After each use | Open the door and vents, wipe benches and backrests dry | Wipe sweat spots with a cloth dampened with plain water, leave the door open |
| Every 1 to 2 weeks | Wash benches, walls and floor with warm water and a mild, sauna safe cleaner | Damp cloth wipe, sauna unplugged |
| Spring and fall | Check stones, vents, door seal, roof, drainage; snug barrel bands | Check door, vents and power cord |
| Yearly | Deep clean, restack or replace stones, heater service, chimney inspection for wood burners | Deep wipe down per your manual |
This follows LeisureCraft’s maintenance guide, which says to deep clean weekly if you use the sauna most days and monthly if it is an occasional treat.
How to clean sauna benches
After each session, LeisureCraft says to wipe benches, backrests and other sweat spots with a dry towel and let the room air out. For a deeper clean, Harvia’s maintenance tips say to wash benches with warm water and a suitable cleaner using a soft brush along the grain, rinse several times, finish with cold water, then heat the sauna for at least 30 minutes to dry the wood. Harvia also suggests paraffin oil on benches once or twice a year, tested on a hidden spot first.
Sweat stains
Both makers point to light sanding. LeisureCraft recommends fine sandpaper, around 120 to 220 grit, along the grain, then wiping off the dust. Its prevention tip: sit and rest your feet on towels. Removable backrests lift out for washing; we carry the cedar Dundalk Comfort Back Rest ($75.50) and the Dundalk LeisureCraft Elite Back Rest ($80.00).
Walls, ceiling and floor
Most interiors are bare cedar or hemlock. LeisureCraft says to use warm water with a little mild soap or a sauna safe cleaner, working with the grain, and never bleach, ammonia or harsh disinfectants, which can grey cedar and are unpleasant to breathe once the room heats. One option is the Dundalk Sauna Room Cleaner ($19.00, 750 ml), which our listing says can be used full strength or diluted 4:1; LeisureCraft’s guide names it as a wood friendly choice.
For the floor, lift any removable duckboards and wash and dry both the boards and the floor beneath. LeisureCraft says never to coat the interior with ordinary stain, sealer or varnish, since a film traps moisture and can blister or give off fumes; bare wood is fine, or a clear penetrating sauna oil.
Mould and musty smells
LeisureCraft’s fix is drying: run the heater after a humid session, keep the low intake and high exhaust vents clear, and treat any mould with a non bleach remover or diluted vinegar. If your room lacks a proper vent, the Dundalk Complete Sauna Vent Kit ($24.00) includes intake and exhaust parts.
How to clean sauna stones and the heater
Harvia’s support center says stones crumble from heating and cooling, so reload them at least once a year (more with heavy use), clearing debris and replacing broken ones; for a family sauna used about twice a week, it says to change the stones yearly. Harvia’s tips add a test: tap stones together and replace any that crumble or have yellowed.
LeisureCraft says to stack stones loosely, larger on the bottom, never packed tight or pressing on the elements. Once a year, with power off and the heater cool, brush dust off the elements; never use water or cleaners on them. Use only stones approved for your heater, and your heater’s manual always comes first. Harvia suggests water with vinegar or citric acid for limescale on the casing. The Harvia KIP Electric Heater ($1,214.00) we list has a stainless steel casing and a protective rock grill.
Wood stoves add ash and chimney care: LeisureCraft says empty the ash before each fire and have the chimney inspected at least once a year. Our wood burning vs electric sauna heater guide covers chimneys in detail.
How to clean an infrared sauna
The owner’s manual for a Dynamic brand carbon infrared sauna (DYN 6209, from Golden Designs) says to unplug before cleaning, use plain water and a soft damp cloth, and avoid liquid, aerosol or chemical cleaners because they can be absorbed into the wood and released during use. Wipe around the heater panels, not into them. Our Low EMF Two Person Far Infrared Red Cedar Deluxe Indoor Sauna ($2,675.99) lists 8 far infrared panels; follow the manual that ships with it. Still choosing? See infrared vs traditional sauna and how long to stay in an infrared sauna.
Sauna maintenance for barrel exteriors
LeisureCraft says exterior cedar can be left to weather silver, or kept warm toned with a penetrating oil with UV protection, recoated roughly every couple of years. Wash it with a soft brush, mild soap and low pressure, never a full blast pressure washer. On barrels, it says to tighten the aluminum bands with a 3/4 inch wrench or drill after the first month, then each spring and fall, since staves swell and shrink with humidity. That applies to models like the Dundalk CT Harmony 4 Person Barrel Sauna ($5,555.16). For shape trade offs, read barrel sauna vs cabin sauna; for drainage underneath, outdoor sauna foundation.
How to clean a sauna safely: what not to use
- Bleach, ammonia, harsh disinfectants (LeisureCraft)
- Varnish, sealer or ordinary stain inside (LeisureCraft)
- Any chemical cleaner in an infrared sauna (Dynamic manual)
- Water or cleaners on heater elements (LeisureCraft)
- Chlorinated products with heater cleanser (Harvia)
Handy accessories
We stock the Dundalk LeisureCraft Bucket and Ladle ($64.00), the Dundalk LeisureCraft Thermometer ($19.00) and the Dundalk Starter Sauna Accessory Package ($98.00: bucket and ladle, cedar thermometer, 4 oz eucalyptus essence). LeisureCraft sells through dealers rather than direct; see our Dundalk Leisurecraft brand page. Shipping is free on orders of $999 or more and a flat $200 below that, so small accessories alone carry that charge. Returns: see our return and refund policy. New to saunas? Start with our home sauna buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you clean a sauna?
Per LeisureCraft: wipe and air out after every use, deep clean every week or two, inspect each spring and fall, and service the heater yearly.
Can I use vinegar to clean a sauna?
LeisureCraft names diluted vinegar for mould on cedar, and Harvia suggests it for limescale on heater casings. For infrared saunas, the manual we read says plain water only.
How do you clean sauna stones?
With the heater off and cool, lift the stones out, brush off dust, discard crumbling pieces, and restack loosely, larger at the bottom. Harvia says at least once a year.
Should I seal the inside of my sauna?
No sealer or varnish, says LeisureCraft; bare wood or a clear penetrating sauna oil only.
If you have a health condition, check with your doctor before regular sauna use. Questions about care products or parts? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST.
Sources: LeisureCraft, Year Round Outdoor Sauna Maintenance Guide; Harvia, Five sauna maintenance tips; Harvia Support Center articles on changing and stacking heater stones (support.harvia.com); Dynamic (Golden Designs), DYN 6209 Owner’s Manual.
