Saunas have been used for hundreds of years to offer many benefits. A steamy sauna session can help you relax and reduce stress levels. Saunas offer several health benefits, such as improved blood circulation, weight loss, and detoxification. Using a sauna can also help you relieve muscle and joint pains.

To keep your thermo-treated sauna working at optimal levels, you must ensure that it is well-maintained and clean. Saunas are made with materials that are safe, easy to clean, and durable. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that you have a more enjoyable sauna experience for many years. Thankfully, sauna maintenance is far less costly and time-consuming than the maintenance required for a pool or hot tub.

If you are thinking of maintaining your thermo-treated sauna, but you do not know where to start, you have come to the right place. We have made an in-depth guide on how to clean and maintain your outdoor home sauna to get the most out of it for many years. Keep reading to learn more.

How Long Can You Expect Your Thermo-Treated Sauna to Last?

Thermo-treated saunas can last for decades. The wood and elements that make up your sauna determine its comfortability and durability. Thermo-treated saunas are made using thermal wood (also known as thermowood or heat-treated wood), thanks to its durability and versatility.

Thermal wood is wood that has undergone chemical changes to improve its stability and durability. The treatment involves exposing wood to a temperature between 185 to 212 degrees Celcius. During the process, all moisture is removed from the wood cells, and the chemical composition is completely transformed. This gives you a product that is more stable and resilient. Besides, most barrel saunas are made using durable wood, such as Canadian Hemlock and Western Red Cedar.

Preparing Your Thermo-Treated Outdoor Sauna

There are several things to consider when choosing the right location in your yard to place your thermo-treated sauna. First, you should ensure the foundation is firm, flat, or slightly tapered. Place it on concrete, deck, paved stones, or gravel. If you get a sauna with a window, we highly recommend placing it somewhere with a view! 

Because of the process described above that a thermo-treated sauna goes through, they are not easily affected by rain, snow, or intense heat. However, continued exposure to extreme weather conditions will eventually have an effect on your sauna room. Therefore, if you live in a place with extremely inclement weather, it is important to place your sauna in a covered location.

Regardless of where you put a barrel sauna, molded cradle supports will help to keep the bottom of your sauna safe from moisture damage. 

Maintaining Your Outdoor Sauna

The craftsmanship used in making thermo-treated outdoor saunas ensures they last many years. Therefore, there is no doubt that with proper care, your sauna can last decades. Here are a few maintenance tips that can help keep your thermo-treated sauna up and running for many years.

Cleaning Regularly

It is important to ensure that your thermo-treated outdoor sauna is clean all the time to extend its life. If you use it regularly, you can clean it once a month. You should vacuum and sweep out loose grit and dirt. 

It is advisable to turn off your barrel sauna when cleaning. Cleaning your sauna in high temperatures can be risky because the cleaning products can release harmful chemicals when exposed to heat. 

The best way to clean a sauna is with a simple mixture of household ingredients, such as baking soda and warm water. A tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water will do well. It will help get out stains and keep your thermo-treated sauna smelling great. If you opt for a cleaner, you should use a chemical-free product to avoid any health risks. 

To remove scuff marks or stubborn stains, you can use fine-grit sandpaper. In addition, you can pressure-wash the inside of your sauna if you feel it is necessary. However, be sure to use a wide-pattern nozzle with a low-pressure setting. 

When cleaning the wooden interior of your sauna, you will want to avoid using hard water as much as possible. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium salts that can make lime buildup, making cleaning more difficult. Also, you should avoid using sealants or protectants inside the sauna to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture.

Checking and Replacing Parts

In addition to cleaning your sauna, you will need to check and replace parts of the sauna to ensure it is performing effectively and efficiently. One of the best things about owning a thermo-treated outdoor sauna is that they do not require a lot of ongoing maintenance. 

You will need to check the bands and tighten them within the first few months of ownership. As time passes, you may have to add more filler staves. This will make your thermo-treated sauna durable and more efficient.

Ensuring Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is one of the most important parts of a thermo-treated outdoor sauna. Without proper ventilation, are will likely feel dizzy and uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of your sauna’s vents and doors. They should function optimally and be able to open and close easily.

To ensure proper ventilation, you will need to do minimal repairs like screw replacement. You can try using longer screws if you come across loose hinge screws. If there are issues with closing the sauna door, you can follow the following steps:

• Find out where the “higher” spots are on the sauna door
• Mak the spots with a pencil
• Sand down any excess material

If the sauna door keeps popping open, check if the ketch needs some adjusting. You can put a small piece of cardboard between the hinge and the jam. Wood-made sauna vents help with regulating heat, humidity, and fresh air. If the sauna vent has issues, you can loosen its screws or sand the edges. In addition, you can reduce drag by sanding the slider corners.

What NOT to do

Staining or treating the outside of your outdoor sauna is perfectly fine. However, you should never treat, stain, or paint the interior because it can lead to exposure to toxic fumes during your sauna sessions. Besides, you might warp or crack wood due to the inability to release moisture. 

Using Your Sauna the Right Way for Less Maintenance

Using your thermo-treated outdoor sauna the right will not only ensure that you get the most out of your sauna but will also increase its durability. Here are a few steps that you should implement into your routine.

Before Getting Into the Sauna

It is important to clean your feet before getting into your sauna. This helps to eliminate sweat and dirt buildup and reduces the risk of mold growth. Showering before getting into the sauna can also assist with cutting back on sweat, grime, and dirt left behind on the sauna benches and wood floors.

During/After Your Sauna Sessions

While inside your sauna, you should use absorbent towels to help you collect any sweat that may cause stains. You should get used to using fresh towels on the benches and floors and ensure they are available for any guest.

Also, you should remember to remove the towels after your sauna sessions. To increase the durability of your sauna, you should use a soft towel to wipe the sauna benches to get rid of any moisture left behind.

After your sauna session, you may want to leave the door open for a few hours to help with it fully drying up. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long do Thermo-treated Saunas Last?

Thermo-treated saunas are built to last for decades. However, regular maintenance of the sauna is essential to keep it in good condition and improve its durability.

Should You Leave Sauna Door Open or Closed?

Moisture inside the sauna can lead to mold, stains, and mildew. Therefore, it is important to leave your sauna door open for a few hours as it cools down to allow humidity to escape. Therefore, you should close the sauna door to keep out dust and excess moisture.

Is Sauna Maintenance Time-Consuming?

Sauna maintenance does not consume much time, especially if you compare it to the maintenance needed for a hot tub or pool. Once you learn how to maintain a sauna, you will learn to include it in your routine. For instance, it is important to shower before getting into your sauna to keep it clean.

Do You Wear Shoes in a Sauna?

You should not wear normal footwear into the sauna as they can track in germs and dirt. It will also make you too hot and cause discomfort.

Conclusion

Maintaining and cleaning your thermo-treated sauna is important as it helps to keep it working at an optimal level and ensures that you have a more enjoyable sauna experience. Besides, cleaning and maintaining your sauna will also ensure that it lasts for decades.

Shop Forever Saunas now to find a beautiful, durable thermo-treated sauna that will last you for years. You can also contact our team for any questions about thermo-treated saunas.