The wood, the heater, the rocks, the ventilation — exactly what to do after every session, every week, and every season. Written by the techs who service traditional and infrared saunas in the Summerville and Charleston area.
Regular cleaning, drying, and equipment inspections help extend the life of your sauna. Follow the care instructions for your specific model.
The #1 rule. After every session, prop the door open and open the vents so moisture escapes. Wood that never dries warps, darkens, and grows mildew. This one habit prevents most sauna problems.
Sauna wood is unsealed so it can breathe and absorb sweat. Clean it with a damp cloth and mild, unscented cleaner — never a hose, never harsh chemicals that soak in and off-gas when heated.
Traditional: rinse and re-stack the rocks yearly, replace crumbling ones, keep the heater clear. Infrared: keep panels and heaters dust-free and check the controller. Heat problems are the ones to call a pro on.
Both are "saunas," but they heat differently and wear differently. Know which you own.
Home sauna in normal use. Commercial saunas (gyms, studios, spas) need weekly professional cleaning and documented hygiene logs.
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| After every use | Wipe the bench you used, mop up any standing water, prop the door and open vents to dry. |
| Weekly | Wipe all benches, backrests, walls you touch, and the floor. Vacuum debris. Check the door closes and seals. |
| Monthly | Traditional: inspect heater + rocks. Infrared: wipe panels, check heaters and controller. Both: check vents are clear and lighting works. |
| Quarterly / seasonally | Full deep clean and sanitize. Sand out any stains. Traditional: rinse and re-stack rocks, replace crumbling ones. |
| Yearly | Professional service: heater and electrical check, hardware and glass inspection, rock replacement, deep hygiene clean, and moisture/ventilation check. |
Some things aren't a wipe-down. Call a tech if you see any of these:
Use only the cleaner and method approved by your sauna manufacturer. Let equipment cool, follow product dilution instructions, avoid soaking wood or wetting electrical components, and allow the room to dry fully.
Almost always because it isn't drying out between uses. Prop the door and open the vents after every session. If mildew has already started, sand the spots lightly along the grain, wipe with a diluted sanitizer, and dry fully. Persistent odor usually points to a ventilation, seal, or drainage issue worth having checked.
Never seal, varnish, paint, or use household oils on the interior wood — coatings blister and off-gas at sauna temperatures. Bare walls are correct. The one common exception: many manufacturers approve a sauna-specific paraffin oil on benches to resist sweat stains — only use it if your sauna's maker allows it (we apply it during a Deep Clean where approved). You can also lightly sand to refresh the surface. (Exterior finishes are a separate question and depend on the manufacturer.)
Regular cleaning, drying, and equipment inspections help extend the life of your sauna. Follow the care instructions for your specific model.
Serving Summerville, Charleston, and surrounding Lowcountry communities. Travel included within 30 driving miles of Summerville; additional travel quoted before booking.
Book a sauna deep clean, tune-up, or repair — or a recurring plan so you never think about it.
Serving Summerville, Charleston, and surrounding Lowcountry communities. Travel included within 30 driving miles of Summerville; additional travel quoted before booking.
Cold Flow Solutions provides cold plunge and sauna maintenance, cleaning, diagnostics, and repair for homes and commercial facilities. Serving Summerville, Charleston, and surrounding Lowcountry communities. Travel included within 30 driving miles of Summerville; additional travel quoted before booking.
See sauna service & pricing →Email Cold Flow SolutionsThis guide is general maintenance information for typical residential saunas. Always follow your manufacturer's care instructions, and never attempt heater or electrical repairs yourself.