How To Clean and Maintain a Wood Sauna (That Actually Gets Used)

Keeping a wood sauna in good nick is mostly about little routines done often. A tidy hot room feels better, heats better and lasts longer, whether you run a compact sauna tent in the garden or a larger outdoor cabin. Below is a straightforward care plan that keeps the kit safe, fresh and ready for weekday sessions.

After every session: quick wins

• Air it out. Prop the door open for 10–15 minutes while the stove settles. Fresh air carries out moisture and that “post-steam” smell, which helps a home sauna stay inviting.
  
• Dry the splash zones. Wipe benches and floors with a clean microfibre cloth, paying attention to where water drips after löyly.
  
• Ash discipline. When the firebox is stone cold, tip ash into a metal bucket with a lid. Ash left damp will corrode steel and stain fabrics.
  
• No quenching. Never pour water onto the hot stove body to cool it. Let it wind down naturally to protect welds and coatings.
  

Weekly: light clean, inside and out

• Benches and boards. Mix a mild solution of warm water with a dash of white vinegar or a pH-neutral cleaner. Wring the cloth well so you are cleaning, not soaking.
  
• Flooring. If your garden sauna has removable duckboards, lift and brush underneath. Grit is the enemy of fabrics and coatings.
  
• Windows and zips. A soft brush keeps tracks and teeth clear. For clear panels, use a non-abrasive cleaner.
  

Monthly: the bits you cannot see

• Flue and spark arrestor. Remove soot and check for tar build-up. A clean flue draws better and keeps smoke down.
  
• Gaskets and seams. Inspect high-heat seals and fabric seams for wear. Catching a fray early is the difference between a simple repair and a weekend lost.
  
• Guy lines and pegs. For portable sauna tents, inspect tension points and pegging angles. Replace fatigued lines before winter winds arrive.
  

Wood, water and ventilation: three fundamentals

• Wood fuel. Burn seasoned hardwood around 15–20% moisture. Dry logs burn cleaner, keep glass clearer and reduce soot. Store off the ground with airflow.
  
• Water discipline. Löyly belongs on stones, not on metal. Throw small ladles, little and often, and keep the bucket outside the heat.
  
• Ventilation. Keep a low intake and a high outlet cracked during heat. Good air makes heat feel softer and keeps heads clear.
  

Fabric-sheltered hot rooms: special care

Modern sauna tents have tough outer shells and insulating layers. Treat them like expedition kit. Avoid harsh chemicals, never pack away damp, and use a breathable cover if you leave the structure standing. If you want a fabric-sheltered, wood-fired setup optimised for British weather, start here: PortaSauna. Their compact HEX portable wood-fired sauna (1.8 m × 1.8 m) is easy to dry, simple to sweep and built for repeat use: PortaSauna HEX sauna tent.

Annual habits that pay off

• Sweep the flue properly.
  
• Refresh any protective oils on timber duckboards.
  
• Replace worn gloves, ladles and thermometers.
  
• Photograph wear points so you can compare season to season.
  

A sauna that is easy to clean is a sauna you will use. Keep tasks short, stick to the rhythm, and your sweat sessions will feel better every single time.