A Practical Guide to Sauna Maintenance

THE ART OF CARING FOR YOUR SAUNA: A TIMELESS RITUAL

Owning your own personal sauna for some feels opulent. Yet, in Finnish culture it is simply a way of life. In modern Finland there are more saunas than there are cars.

On the Finnish Immigrant homesteads of North America the sauna was always built first. Former prime minister and president of Finland, Urho Kekkonen famously once said: “Life without sauna seems to me impossible.”

There’s something deeply meditative about stepping into a sauna, where the warmth wraps around you, and the world outside seems to fade away. But the tranquility you experience in that moment is the result of more than just the heat—it’s the product of care, tradition, and respect for the space. Just as a garden needs tending to flourish, so too does your sauna. Each task, from sanding benches to stacking wood, is an act of devotion that ensures your sauna remains a place of refuge and renewal.

“Life without sauna seems to me impossible.”

Caring for a sauna is not just about maintenance; it’s about honoring a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Each time you spruce up the sauna, you’re not only preserving the physical structure of your sauna—you’re participating in a ritual that connects you to the many who have found solace in the sauna before you. It’s a quiet dialogue between you and the space, where every action you take is a promise to keep this sacred tradition alive.

Sauna should be something you are proud of whether it is a simple homemade structure or a thoughtfully designed Cedar & Stone sauna. Our saunas are built at an heirloom quality that will last you for years with minimal maintenance and upkeep. Yet, any good product deserves to be cared for.

Here are some directions to keep any sauna working well and looking beautiful.

SAUNA CARE

Sweep Under Benches and Around the Stove

• Purpose: Dust and debris can accumulate in hidden areas, affecting cleanliness and air quality during your weekly sauna sessions. 
• How to: Use a broom or vacuum to clean under the benches and around the stove, reaching into corners where dirt tends to collect, including window sills and the changing room. This is the most regular form of sauna cleaning.
• Interval: Regularly with use, likely weekly.

 Clean the windows

• Purpose: As with any windows, occasional cleaning will help with clarity and brightness, providing a gorgeous view of the landscape you’ve placed your sauna in. 
• How to: We recommend using a squeegee and window cleaner spray to address water spots and residue, finishing off with a microfiber towel to pick up any leftover particles. Give extra attention to natural spray cleaners so as not to introduce any additional unwanted chemicals into your sauna.
• Interval: Regularly with use.

Clean the Benches

• Purpose: Cedar wood has innate antibacterial resistance. However, over time, benches can develop splinters and lose the fresh scent of cedar. The aroma of cedar is one of the most authentic aspects of traditional sauna, and truly makes the experience. 
• How to: Cedar sauna benches do not need to be coated with any additional oils, waxes, or finishes. Washing benches can be done simply with warm water and brush. Mild natural soaps can be added if desired. Lightly sand the benches with high-grit sand paper  to smooth out any rough spots and release the cedar oil. This will refresh both the look and the aroma of your sauna. 
• Interval: Yearly, or as needed.

“Outer order contributes to inner calm.” — Gretchen Rubin

Realign the Sauna Stones

• Purpose: Each year sauna stones should be visually inspected for any cracking or deterioration. Stones in the stove may also shift after repeated use, impacting heat distribution.
• How to: Periodically check and realign the stones to ensure even heating during your sauna sessions. If any stones are cracked they should be removed from the stove. Add new stones if necessary.
• Interval: Yearly.

Clean the Exterior Walls

• Purpose:  All Cedar & Stone saunas are designed with low maintenance high quality siding products. These sidings will provide a beautiful finish with nearly maintenance-free upkeep, but can get dirty from the elements over time. Keep it looking nice with yearly care.
• How to: If siding becomes dirty simply rinse with hose and water, or with a soft brush.
• Interval: Yearly, or as needed.

 Regular Inspection

• Purpose: Saunas help us slow down. In our fast paced life its good to pause and take a look at your sauna. Routine checks help catch small issues before they become big problems. For any buildings and spaces designed for longevity, taking an extra look always helps. Exposure to the elements can cause wear and tear on any buildings.
• How to: Take a few minutes each month to inspect the sauna for signs of wear and tear, such as loose boards, deterioration, or rusting hardware. Address any issues promptly to maintain the sauna’s integrity.
• Interval: Quarterly.

Enjoy the Ritual

• Purpose: Beyond maintenance, the care you invest in your sauna deepens your connection to it.
• How to: Approach each task with mindfulness, treating it as a part of the overall sauna experience. This ritual of care is what makes a Nordic sauna more than just a room—it’s a sacred space for renewal and reflection.
• Interval: As often as possible.

IF YOU HAVE A WOOD-FIRED STOVE

Remove Ash

• Purpose: Before starting a wood fired sauna, check to see if there is any ash buildup. Like any wood burning stove. regular use produces ash that needs to be cleared to maintain efficiency and safety. Many sauna stoves come with an additional ash pan that can be easily removed and emptied. Using seasoned and dry wood will create less ash build up.
• How to: Scoop ash or remove and empty the ash pan, giving it a thorough cleaning to prevent buildup. If using the sauna regularly be sure to store ash in a noncombustible storage container until disposal. It can be common for coals to remain warm for hours and even days. Make sure the area around the stove is free from excess ash and debris.
• Interval: Each time you start the stove.

Prep the Kindling Box

• Purpose: Having a well-stocked kindling box ensures you’re always ready to start a fire when needed.
• How to: Collect fallen branches from your yard and gather old newspapers. Store these materials in a dedicated fire-starting box near your sauna for easy access. Cedar wood is also a wonderful option for kindling, cut in sm
• Interval: As needed

“You can tell a lot about a person by how they stack their wood.”

Chop and Stack Wood

• Purpose: There is an old nordic proverb: “You can tell a lot about a person by how they stack their wood.” A good supply of firewood is essential for wood-fired sauna sessions.
• How to: Spend some time chopping and stacking wood in a dry, accessible place. Ensure you have enough to last through the colder months, so you’re never caught without fuel for your sauna.
• Interval: Seasonally.

“You can tell a lot about a person by how they stack their wood.” – Lars Mytting, Author of, “Norwegian Wood: The pocket guide to chopping, stacking and drying wood the Scandinavian way”

Clean your Chimney

• Purpose: Saunas are forgiving when it comes to chimney maintenance. Most saunas run hot fires, and have short runs from stove to chimney cap. This helps prevent build of creosote that can be coming in home chimneys with longer runs. Keep your sauna safe for years of enjoyment by maintaining your chimney. A clean chimney prevents corrosion, carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, smoke, and damage. It’s essential to a proper sauna experience. 
• How to: There are many affordable, easy-to-use chimney sweeping kits online that allow you to clean the chimney, ensuring efficient heating for your hot room. Hiring a local chimney sweep can provide assurance that things look good.
• Interval: Yearly.

As you step out of your sauna, feeling refreshed and centered, take a moment to appreciate the care that went into creating that experience. The warmth you feel isn’t just from the stove; it’s from the attention to detail, the respect for tradition, and the connection to a practice that transcends time. Your sauna is more than just a place to escape the cold—it’s a reflection of your dedication to well-being, both physical and spiritual.

In caring for your sauna, you’re not just maintaining a structure; you’re nurturing a relationship. A relationship with nature, with tradition, and with yourself. Each task you undertake, from the smallest sweep of the floor to the stacking of winter’s wood, is a step in a journey that keeps you grounded, connected, and whole. And in that care, you find not only the warmth of the sauna but also the warmth of a well-lived life.

OUR COMMITMENT TO OWNERS

As an owner of a Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna we promise to provide a sauna that is built to heirloom quality. Our designs integrate thoughtful nordic modern design. Our build process uses sustainable practices and materials. We strive to care for you with exceptional customer service, and hope you enjoy using your new sauna as much as we enjoyed designing and building it.