How To Maintain A Wood Sauna?

Wood has been the primary material for building saunas for centuries. While saunas are now available in a variety of materials and designs, wood remains the cornerstone of sauna construction. Not only is wood durable, but it also offers natural beauty and therapeutic benefits. This guide from Alphasauna explores why wood sauna dominate the market and provides tips on how to maintain your sauna wood.

Why Choose A Wood Sauna?

Wood sauna not only feature a natural wood texture, but they are also capable of withstanding high temperatures and humidity, making them highly regarded for creating a comfortable and aromatic sauna environment.

Advantages Of A Wood Sauna

1. Natural wood scent
2. Natural antimicrobial properties that help resist bacterial growth
3. Provides insulation and improves energy efficiency
4. Regulates humidity to prevent excessive heat

Top Woods for Building Saunas

Modern saunas are typically constructed using natural and durable materials, with wood being the primary choice for the sauna’sframework and internal structures. Wood’s unique properties contribute to a comfortable sauna experience and ensure the sauna’s stability.Common sauna woods include cedar, pine, and hemlock, each with its attributes.

Wood is one of the best construction materials for building saunas. While different woods have varying characteristics, wood itself inherently offers excellent heat resistance, capable of withstanding the wood sauna environment. However, prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity can lead to issues such as deformation, cracking, and mold growth, necessitating regular maintenance of the wood.

How to Maintain Your Wood Sauna

1. Daily Cleaning:
After each use of the wood sauna, promptly clean the surface of the wood. Wipe away sweat, grease, and dirt from the wood surface to prevent bacteria from breeding and damaging the wood. You can gently wipe with warm water and soap, then rinse thoroughly with clean water, ensuring the wood is dry.

2. Ensure Ventilation:
After using the sauna, maintain good ventilation to ensure that moisture inside the sauna room can be completely expelled, preventing moisture from lingering on the wood and causing mold or rot.

3. Deep Cleaning:
In addition to regular daily cleaning, regular deep cleaning is also necessary. You can use specialized wood sauna cleaners to thoroughly clean the wood surface, removing dirt and bacteria from the wood surface, as well as deeper-seated grime.

4. Regular Sanding:
Over time, wood may become rough or scratched. Regular sanding of the wood can ensure a smooth wood surface.

5. Proper Maintenance:
You can use specialized sauna wood protectants, such as wood wax oil, to apply to the wood surface for maintenance. This increases the wood’s waterproof and dirt-resistant capabilities, prolonging the wood’s lifespan.

6. Regular Inspection Of Wood Condition:
Regularly check the wood for deformations, cracks, mold, etc. If any issues are found, they should be addressed immediately to prevent them from worsening and affecting the sauna’s normal use.

7. Protect Wood Surfaces:
You can lay towels or mats on wooden benches to prevent direct contact between the wood and the sauna’s high temperature and humidity.Regular cleaning and maintenance of the wood can extend the lifespan of sauna wood, ensuring the sauna can be used normally and providing a comfortable and safe sauna environment.

Mold in Wood Saunas: Risks & Solutions

Mold typically grows in humid environments. If mold develops on a wood sauna, its spores can enter the respiratory system through breathing, leading to various respiratory problems. Additionally, mold can cause allergic reactions and even lead to health issues such as fungal infections. Moreover, mold can cause the wood to rot, compromising the structural integrity of the sauna, damaging its aesthetics, and making the wood more fragile, which in turn shortens the sauna’s lifespan.

Wood Sauna Wood Solutions

1. Prevention Measures: 

After using the wood sauna, ensure proper ventilation to thoroughly air out and dry the sauna room, preventing moisture from lingering on the wood and causing mold growth. You can open doors and windows, activate ventilation systems, or use dehumidifiers and fans to expedite moisture evaporation. Regular cleaning of the wood surface with cleansers can also effectively prevent mold growth by preventing the accumulation of dirt and sweat. Additionally, applying specialized mold-resistant agents and wood wax oil to the wood surface can effectively prevent mold growth.

2. Dealing With Existing Mold: 

Upon discovering mold growth in the sauna, use a brush to sweep away the surface mold, then lightly sand the affected wood surface with fine sandpaper. After sanding and cleaning, apply some mold-preventing care solution on the surface. If the wood is severely corroded and damaged, it is best to replace it to prevent structural damage tothe wood sauna, ensuring the safety of sauna use.

3. Maintain Proper Ventilation: 

Install ventilation systems in the wood sauna room to quickly expel moisture and heat, ensuring enough dryness inside the sauna. Pay attention to the humidity levels inside the sauna room; if humidity is too high, expel the moisture from the sauna room to prevent it from becoming overly humid and hot, thereby promoting mold growth.By implementing these measures, you can prevent and address mold growth, ensuring the durability of sauna wood and the health and safety of sauna users.

Final Thoughts

A wood sauna is an investment in your health and well-being. By choosing the right type of wood and following a proper care routine, you can extend the life of your sauna. Whether you prefer the aromatic qualities of cedar or the affordability of hemlock, understanding the specific needs of the wood will help ensure a safe, mold-free environment.

If you’re looking to invest in a wood sauna, Alphasauna is the manufacturer to choose. With over a decade of experience in sauna production, we offer a diverse range of saunas, built with various types of wood and designed in different shapes and functions to provide a variety of sauna experiences. Our saunas are not only of the highest quality, but also made with carefully selected materials to ensure that you receive only the best sauna products.