Stepping into the world of sauna bathing opens a gateway to relaxation, rejuvenation and a unique cultural experience. Whether you find yourself in a tranquil spa, a bustling health club or the cosy confines of a home sauna, understanding proper sauna etiquette is essential for ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable session.
This guide delves into the do's and don'ts of sauna etiquette across various settings, exploring acceptable behaviours, attire and traditional customs such as the use of sauna whisks and hats. Join us as we uncover the nuances of respectful and mindful sauna usage and discover how to make the most of your sauna time, whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer.
Sauna Etiquette Basics
Respect Personal Space
When sharing a sauna, respecting personal space is crucial. Saunas are often intimate settings where physical proximity can’t always be avoided, but being mindful of others can make everyone’s experience more pleasant. Always keep a respectful distance from other sauna-goers, especially in public saunas. If seats are limited, try to sit in a way that maximises available space without crowding others. Avoid stretching out or taking up more room than necessary.
Additionally, refrain from engaging in loud conversations or activities that could disturb the peace of the sauna. Remember, the goal is to create a relaxing environment for all. Respecting personal space ensures you contribute to a harmonious sauna session for everyone involved. Whether you’re in a spa, health club or even sharing your own personal home sauna, maintaining this awareness enables a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.
What to Wear
Sauna attire can vary depending on cultural norms and the specific sauna's rules. In most public saunas in the UK, wearing a swimsuit or wrapping a towel around your body is the standard practice. This not only respects the privacy of yourself and others but also maintains hygiene by keeping the sauna benches clean. However, some traditional saunas, particularly in countries like Finland, Estonia and Sweden, encourage nude bathing. In such cases, a towel should always be used to sit on.
Avoid wearing jewellery as metals can heat up and cause burns. For those who feel uncomfortable with full nudity but want the most out of their sauna session, lightweight swimwear can be a good compromise. Always check the dress code of the sauna you are visiting to ensure you are following their specific guidelines. By adhering to these unwritten rules, you contribute to a respectful and comfortable sauna environment.
For a general overview as to acceptable sauna attire by country take a look at this guide to typical sauna attire across the world.
Using Essential Oils
Adding essential oils to a sauna session can enhance the experience with soothing aromas, but it’s important to use them considerately. Always ask fellow sauna-goers for their permission before using essential oils, as some people may have allergies or sensitivities to strong scents. In a public sauna, unanimous consent is necessary to ensure everyone’s comfort.
Essential oils shouldn't be applied directly to sauna stones, so instead, dilute a few drops in water before pouring it over the stove to release the fragrance safely. Using oils like eucalyptus or lavender can provide a relaxing atmosphere, but remember that moderation is key. Overpowering scents can detract from the relaxing environment that saunas aim to provide. By being mindful and considerate, you can make the most of essential oils without compromising the comfort of others sharing the sauna space.
If in doubt, go without! However, if you're keen to explore more of the benefits of essential oils as part of a traditional sauna bathing ritual, consider a home sauna where the only rules are your own rules.
Using the Stove
The stove is the heart of the sauna, responsible for generating the heat and steam that define the experience. When using the stove, it’s important to follow a few key guidelines to ensure safety and comfort for all. First, never pour water on the sauna rocks without asking other sauna-goers for their consent. The sudden burst of steam can be intense, and not everyone may appreciate it. Use a ladle to control the amount of water, adding it gradually to find the sweet spot for steam without overwhelming the room.
If you prefer to adjust the temperature, always check with others before making any changes. This ensures that the environment remains comfortable for everyone. You should also avoid placing any objects on the stove as this can be a fire hazard.
Public Sauna Guidelines
Spa and Health Club Etiquette
When using a sauna in a public facility, adhering to proper etiquette is vital to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. First and foremost, always shower before entering the sauna. This helps maintain hygiene and ensures that the steam room remains fresh for all users. Don't forget to bring a towel to sit on as it keeps the benches clean and dry.
You should also be mindful of your time in the sauna, particularly in a busy public gym, spa or health club. Most people generally recommend sessions of 15-20 minutes to avoid hogging the space, and this is also ideal for the practice of contrast therapy.
Finally, when leaving, close the sauna door quickly to maintain the room’s heat and steam levels. Be mindful of the fact that every in and out can disturb your fellow sauna bathers as well as bring the temperature down, lessening the positive effects of the hot steam.
Keep the Noise Down
Maintaining a quiet atmosphere in public saunas is essential for creating a relaxing environment. Saunas are places of peace and tranquillity, where many people go to escape the stresses of daily life. Keep conversations to a whisper or remain silent to respect the tranquillity of the space. Remember that other users may wish to use the sauna for calming meditation, as a place for relaxation and sanctuary from the outside world. This also means you need to avoid using your phone, regardless of it being on quiet mode. Just don't bring it, for your own benefit as much as for everyone else's.
It shouldn't need saying but playing music, watching videos or making phone calls in a public sauna is extremely disrespectful and highly disruptive to other sauna-goers. Additionally, refrain from any loud or sudden movements that can break the silence. If you are a fan of music or even listening to podcasts whilst in the sauna you can enjoy integrated bluetooth speakers in some high end home saunas, such as Wildhut saunas. Your home, your rules!
If you are with friends, save your animated discussions for outside the sauna. Respecting the need for quiet not only enhances your own relaxation but also ensures that others can fully enjoy their sauna time. If you want to hold discussions with friends, family or business associates, do so in a private sauna where you can also choose to play music depending on your personal preferences (though bear in mind many people prefer the silence).
Understanding Traditional Customs
Understanding and respecting traditional customs can greatly enhance your sauna experience, especially in public settings. In countries like Finland and Estonia, saunas hold a deep cultural significance, and certain practices are observed to honour this heritage. One such custom is the use of a sauna whisk, or "vihta," made from birch branches. Gently striking the skin with the whisk improves circulation and adds to the overall detoxifying effect.
Another tradition involves wearing a sauna hat to protect the head from excessive heat. This helps maintain a comfortable body temperature and reduces possible dizziness. Typically made from linen or merino wool, sauna hats serve a practical purpose as well as embracing tradition and often it is customary to soak the hat with cold water to maximise its soothing, cooling potential. If you're after a traditional sauna hat take a look in our Wildhut Shop.
While these accessories might seem unusual to newcomers, they offer both health benefits and a deeper connection to the cultural aspects of sauna bathing. Additionally, as touched on earlier, in many cultures it is customary to alternate between hot and cold by taking a plunge into cold water or rolling in the snow after a sauna session. These practices not only offer health benefits but also deepen one's connection to the cultural roots of sauna bathing. To embrace these traditional customs is to enrich one's sauna experience and show respect for the cultural practices that have shaped it.
Home Sauna Best Practices
Hosting Guests
Hosting guests in your own home sauna can be a rewarding experience and a great way to spend quality time with friends and family, but it requires some preparation and etiquette. First, ensure that your sauna is clean, tidy and ready for use. You don't need to train as an Aufguss sauna meister to accommodate your guests but it is polite to offer fresh towels and water, and if you have essential oils, hats and sauna whisks your guests might enjoy embracing these traditions too.
Before starting the session, explain any house rules, such as showering before entering the sauna and the expected duration of each sauna session. Remember that suggested session durations aren't contests and your fellow bathers should feel comfortable leaving your sauna cabin at any time should they wish to cool down. It’s also a good idea to discuss comfort levels regarding clothing or nudity to prevent any awkwardness.
Make sure to monitor the temperature and humidity levels to suit everyone's preferences. Offer breaks between sessions for cooling down and rehydrating. Respect your guests' personal space and encourage a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. A considerate sauna host ensures that guests leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Maintaining Hygiene
Never neglect the importance of hygiene in your home sauna, as this is crucial for ensuring a pleasant and healthy experience. Ideally you should always shower before entering the sauna to remove any dirt, sweat or lotions from your skin. This helps keep the sauna environment clean and pleasant, free from unwanted odours. Sit on a towel to avoid direct contact with the benches, which will help keep them dry and sanitary.
For maximum cleanliness, after each use, wipe down the benches and any surfaces with a mild disinfectant to remove sweat and bacteria. You should also clean the sauna stones and stove to ensure they remain free of debris and buildup though this is not essential after every session.
Additionally, by periodically airing out the sauna you can help maintain a hygienic and inviting sauna space, ensuring that every session is as refreshing and enjoyable as the last. After all, if you want guests to return it needs to be a clean space to make it a comfortable one.
Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Ultimately, your luxury home sauna is designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere for you and your guests so don't lose sight of this primary aim. You may wish to experiment with ambient lighting, dimmable lights or LED candles to create a soothing environment. Wildhut luxury saunas feature dimmable lighting as standard and offer recessed specialist sauna lighting too.
Adding soft background music or nature sounds can further enhance the tranquillity, or you could play meditative podcasts, though never underestimate the value of keeping it simple with nothing but blissful quiet!
If you're interested in enjoying the benefits of sauna bathing in your home, whether for your own health and wellbeing or because you'd like to host guests and share the enjoyment of traditional sauna, Wildhut offer a range of high quality luxury garden saunas. You can explore our website to find out more about our range or get in touch if you'd like to discuss our saunas in more detail.