Everyone wants their sauna to be clean, at least I would hope. However, many cleaning agents are toxic, harmful, and made with chemicals you don’t want to be breathing in. How can you make your own sauna cleaning solution at home?
The best recipes for sauna cleaners include either vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, or citric acid. All of these ingredients are strong enough to thoroughly clean and disinfect your sauna, without being so strong that they damage it or create a risk to your health.
However, that’s just the start. Each of these ingredients have their own recipes for making the best solution possible, all of which I’ll go over next!
Different Saunas Have Different Cleaning Needs
Saunas come in many types, from traditional to infrared, and each has its unique cleaning needs.
Traditional saunas, typically made of wood, can accumulate sweat stains and require careful cleaning to prevent damage to the wood. Infrared saunas, made with materials like glass and plastic, can attract dust and other residues that obscure the infrared panels.
If sweat stains are your particular problem, check out the article I wrote about how to get sweat stains out of your sauna!
Steam rooms, though not technically saunas, often fall under the same umbrella. They are tiled and prone to limescale build-up due to the constant presence of steam. Therefore, they require regular descaling and mold prevention measures.
Recipe 1: Vinegar-Based Cleaning Solution
Vinegar is a staple in homemade cleaning solutions, thanks to its natural acidity that can kill bacteria, mold, and germs.
For your vinegar-based sauna cleaner, you will need:
- 1 part distilled white vinegar
- 3 parts warm water
- A spray bottle
- A soft cloth or sponge
Combine the vinegar and warm water in your spray bottle. Shake well to ensure it’s thoroughly mixed. Your cleaning solution is ready to use!
To clean your sauna, generously spray the vinegar solution onto the surfaces. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. This dwell time lets vinegar’s acidic nature work its magic, breaking down dirt and killing microbes.
After the solution has done its work, wipe down the surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge, followed by a rinse with warm water. Ensure your sauna is well-ventilated during and after this process to allow any vinegar smell to dissipate.
If you use this method and find the vinegar smell won’t go away, read my next article about how to make your sauna smell great!
Just like the baking soda cleaner, it’s wise to test this solution on a hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t discolor your sauna’s wood.
With this vinegar-based cleaner, you have a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to maintain a clean and safe sauna.
Recipe 2: Baking Soda Solution
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household item. As a natural deodorizer, it’s excellent for refreshing your sauna’s atmosphere while its mild abrasive properties can tackle stubborn grime.
To create your baking soda sauna cleaner, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 2 cups of warm water
- A spray bottle
- A scrub brush or sponge
Combine the baking soda and warm water in the spray bottle. Shake it well until the baking soda has completely dissolved. Now your cleaner is ready to use!
Spray the solution generously onto the sauna surfaces, focusing on areas with obvious dirt or sweat marks. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then use a scrub brush or sponge to gently clean. Rinse with warm water.
Remember, baking soda is alkaline and can potentially discolor certain woods if left on for too long, so always test on a small, inconspicuous area first. If there’s no adverse reaction, you’re good to go!
This cleaner is a safe, environmentally-friendly option to keep your sauna spotless and inviting. Enjoy your refreshed sauna experience!
Recipe 3: Citric Acid Solution
Citric acid, found naturally in citrus fruits like lemons, is a powerful cleaner due to its acidity. It’s excellent for removing hard water stains, mineral deposits, and grime.
Here’s how you can make a citric acid-based cleaner for your sauna:
- 1/2 cup of citric acid powder
- 2 cups of warm water
- A spray bottle
- A scrub brush or sponge
Start by dissolving the citric acid powder in warm water. Pour both into your spray bottle, and shake until the citric acid is fully dissolved. Voilà, your citric acid cleaning solution is ready to use!
To clean your sauna, spray the solution generously on the surfaces. Allow it to sit for around 10-15 minutes to let the citric acid break down grime and hard water stains. After it’s had time to work, scrub the surfaces gently with your brush or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with warm water afterward.
Before a full-scale application, it’s recommended to do a patch test. Apply a small amount of the solution to an inconspicuous area to check for any adverse reactions.
Recipe 4: Essential Oils Solution
Essential oils are not just for aromatherapy, they also pack a powerful punch when it comes to cleaning, thanks to their antimicrobial properties.
Let’s create an essential oil-based cleaner for your sauna:
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (Tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender oils are all great choices for their antimicrobial properties and soothing scents)
- 2 cups of warm water
- A spray bottle
- A soft cloth or sponge
Begin by adding your chosen essential oil to the warm water in your spray bottle. Shake well to thoroughly combine. Now you have a fragrant, effective cleaning solution!
Apply the solution generously on your sauna’s surfaces, allowing it to sit for about 10-15 minutes. This waiting period lets the essential oils work on the bacteria, molds, and germs. After the waiting period, wipe down the surfaces with your soft cloth or sponge, followed by a rinse with warm water.
Remember to always do a patch test before applying the solution on larger areas to check for any discoloration or damage to the wood.
This essential oil cleaner not only cleans your sauna but also leaves a calming scent behind. Enjoy your refreshed, aromatic sauna!
Safety Measures While Using Homemade Solutions
Firstly, let’s delve into the world of homemade cleaning solutions with a sense of caution. While these solutions are often cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and just as effective as store-bought cleaners, there are a few safety measures to keep in mind.
- Know Your Ingredients: Ingredients like vinegar and baking soda are generally safe, but others like essential oils or hydrogen peroxide can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Make sure to always wear gloves when preparing and applying these solutions.
- Avoid Mixing Certain Ingredients: Some household substances can become dangerous when mixed. A common example is the combination of vinegar and bleach, which produces toxic chlorine gas. Always research before you mix!
- Ensure Good Ventilation: When applying any cleaning solution, make sure your sauna is well-ventilated. Fumes from vinegar or other potent ingredients can be overwhelming in a confined space.
- Test Before Full Application: Before you slather your homemade solution all over your sauna, test a small, hidden area first. This way, you can ensure the solution won’t discolor or damage the wood.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Sauna Cleanliness
Keeping a sauna in top shape requires regular maintenance and cleaning. Here are a few tips to keep your sauna pristine.
- Weekly Wiping: Depending on usage, wiping down the interior of your sauna weekly with a damp cloth can prevent buildup of grime.
- Monthly Deep Cleaning: For a thorough clean, use one of the sauna cleaner recipes in this article to clean all of the surfaces in your sauna.
- Use of Essential Oils: A few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil in your cleaning solution adds extra antimicrobial properties, and leaves a fresh, invigorating scent.
- Proper Sauna Drying: Post-cleaning, ensure your sauna is completely dry before its next use. An adequately ventilated sauna helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- Yearly Sanding: If your sauna is made of wood, consider light sanding once a year to keep the wood looking fresh and to remove any stubborn stains.
The Bottom Line: Making Sauna Cleaner at Home
A sauna can be a sanctuary, providing warmth, relaxation, and health benefits. With a little time and the right homemade cleaning solutions, you can easily maintain a clean, safe, and inviting sauna environment.
Thankfully, when you have your own sauna, cleaning it is under your control. This does mean extra work for you, but at the very least, you’ll know it’s clean.
When you use a public sauna, you have no idea if it’s being kept clean. Thankfully, I wrote a whole article about whether or not public saunas are sanitary!
Remember, safety comes first when creating and applying your own solutions. Regular maintenance will prevent deep-set grime, saving you from intense cleaning sessions in the future.
With these tips, you can keep your sauna looking new for years to come, creating a healthier and more enjoyable space for relaxation. After all, isn’t that what a home sauna is all about?