How to Clean an Infrared Sauna: Maintenance & Care Guide - Peak Primal Wellness

How to Clean an Infrared Sauna: Maintenance & Care Guide

0 comments
Saunas

How to Clean an Infrared Sauna: Maintenance & Care Guide

Keep your infrared sauna hygienic, fresh, and performing at its best with these simple cleaning and maintenance tips.

By Peak Primal Wellness7 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Clean After Every Use: A quick wipe-down after each session prevents sweat buildup, bacteria, and odor from setting in.
  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, ammonia, and solvent-based cleaners damage infrared panels and cedar wood — stick to mild, natural solutions.
  • Wood Needs Special Attention: Untreated cedar and hemlock are porous; improper cleaning causes warping, staining, and mold growth.
  • Ventilation Is Non-Negotiable: Leaving the door open after each session is the single most effective way to prevent odor and moisture damage.
  • Deep Clean Monthly: A thorough monthly cleaning keeps your sauna hygienic, extends its lifespan, and protects your investment.
  • Protect Your Panels: Infrared heating panels are sensitive electronics — never spray liquid directly onto them.

📖 Go Deeper

Want the full picture? Read our The Ultimate Guide to Saunas for everything you need to know.

Why Cleaning Your Infrared Sauna Matters

An infrared sauna is a significant investment in your long-term health and recovery. Like any wellness equipment, it performs best — and lasts longest — when it's properly maintained. The warm, enclosed environment that makes your sauna so effective at promoting relaxation and detoxification also creates ideal conditions for bacteria, mold, and unpleasant odors to develop if left unattended.

Unlike traditional steam saunas , infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures and don't generate steam, which means they don't "self-sanitize" through intense heat. Every session leaves behind sweat, skin oils, and moisture that need to be actively removed. Neglecting this can lead to wood discoloration, persistent body odor baked into the panels, and in worst-case scenarios, mold forming in corners or beneath bench slats.

The good news is that a proper cleaning routine takes very little time. A few minutes of care after each session — combined with a thorough monthly deep clean — is all it takes to keep your sauna fresh, hygienic, and functioning like new for years to come.

What You'll Need

Infographic comparing approved sauna cleaning supplies like vinegar and microfiber cloth against prohibited chemicals like bleach and ammonia

Before you begin, gather your supplies. Using the right tools makes the process faster and ensures you don't accidentally damage your sauna's wood or heating components. Most of what you need is likely already in your home.

  • Soft microfiber cloths — at least two or three; one for cleaning, one for drying
  • Mild dish soap — a small amount diluted in warm water is safe for most surfaces
  • White vinegar — a natural disinfectant and odor neutralizer safe for wood
  • Baking soda — excellent for stubborn odors and light stain removal
  • Spray bottle — for applying diluted cleaning solutions in a controlled way
  • Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush — for cleaning bench gaps and corners
  • Sauna brush or dry scrub brush — for dry-brushing wood grain between wet cleans
  • A bucket of warm water — for rinsing and diluting solutions
What to Avoid: Never use bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, abrasive scrubbing pads, solvent sprays, or commercial disinfectant wipes on your sauna interior. These products strip the natural oils from wood, discolor panels, and can damage the wiring and emitters in your infrared heating elements. When in doubt, plain warm water is your safest option.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning After Every Session

Step-by-step flowchart diagram illustrating the five-stage post-session infrared sauna cleaning and ventilation routine

These quick steps should become a habit. Done consistently, they prevent the buildup that makes deep cleaning more difficult and time-consuming later.

  1. Turn off and allow to cool slightly. Exit the sauna and turn off all heating elements. You don't need to wait until it's completely cold — working in a warm sauna is fine and actually helps surfaces dry faster — but allow 5 to 10 minutes so it's comfortable to work in.
  2. Remove towels, accessories, and removable items. Take out any towels, backrests, or sauna accessories. These should be washed separately after each use. Leaving damp towels inside is one of the primary causes of mold and odor.
  3. Wipe down the benches and backrest panels. Dampen a microfiber cloth with plain warm water or a very dilute solution of white vinegar and water (roughly 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water). Wipe all bench surfaces thoroughly, paying attention to areas where you were sitting or leaning. Sweat pools in these spots and dries into the wood if not removed.
  4. Wipe the floor. The floor collects dripped sweat and foot perspiration. Give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth. If you use a sauna mat or wooden floor insert, remove and clean it separately.
  5. Leave the door open. This is the most important step many people skip. After wiping down the interior, prop the door fully open and allow the sauna to air out for at least 30 minutes. This ventilates residual moisture and prevents the warm, damp conditions that encourage mold and bacterial growth.
Pro Tip: Place a clean, dry towel on the bench beneath you during each session. This absorbs the majority of sweat before it reaches the wood, dramatically reducing how much cleaning is needed afterward and extending the life of your bench surfaces.

Step-by-Step: The Monthly Deep Clean

Once a month — or more often if you use your sauna daily — perform a thorough deep clean that goes beyond the post-session wipe-down. This addresses any buildup that has accumulated and keeps all components in top condition.

  1. Start with a dry brush of all wood surfaces. Before introducing any moisture, use a soft-bristled dry brush to sweep along the wood grain on benches, walls, and the floor. This dislodges dry skin cells, dust, and loose debris trapped in the pores of the wood. Work with the grain, not against it.
  2. Clean bench slats and gaps. Use an old toothbrush or narrow soft brush to get into the gaps between bench slats where sweat and debris accumulate. A toothbrush dipped in diluted white vinegar works well here. Follow up with a damp microfiber cloth to remove loosened residue.
  3. Treat stubborn stains on wood. For sweat stains or discoloration, make a paste of baking soda and water (roughly equal parts) and apply it gently to the affected area with a cloth. Let it sit for five minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratching.
  4. Clean the infrared panels carefully. Heating panels accumulate dust over time, which can reduce their efficiency. With the unit powered off and fully cooled, use a dry microfiber cloth to gently dust the panel surfaces. Never spray any liquid directly at a panel, and avoid pressing hard on the panel face. If your model has grilles or covers over the emitters, these can often be wiped with a barely damp cloth — consult your manufacturer's guide to confirm.
  5. Wipe down the door, handle, and glass. The door handle and door edges are high-touch areas. Wipe these with a diluted vinegar solution. For glass door panels, a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle works well — spray onto a cloth first, not directly onto the glass near seals or electronics.
  6. Address the ventilation vents. Most infrared saunas have ventilation openings near the floor and ceiling. Use a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum to remove dust from these vents. Blocked vents reduce airflow, trap moisture, and force the heating system to work harder. Clear vents are essential for both air quality and unit longevity.
  7. Inspect for early signs of mold. Check corners, the underside of bench slats, the base of walls, and anywhere moisture might collect. Early-stage mold typically appears as dark spotting or a slightly musty smell. If caught early, a solution of white vinegar applied with a cloth and then dried thoroughly is often sufficient. Persistent or widespread mold warrants professional assessment.
  8. Allow a full ventilation period. After your deep clean, leave the sauna door fully open for at least one hour before closing it up. You want every surface to be completely dry before the unit is sealed again.

Caring for Your Sauna's Wood

Cross-section diagram of porous cedar sauna wood showing sweat penetration, moisture absorption, and early mold formation in grain

The wood inside your infrared sauna — most commonly Canadian hemlock, basswood, or cedar — is untreated and intentionally left that way. Untreated wood is naturally more breathable, doesn't off-gas chemicals when heated, and is safer to be in contact with during a session. However, it also requires more careful handling than finished or sealed wood.

Never use furniture polish, wood oils, varnish, or sealants on your sauna interior. These products are designed for finished wood and will create harmful fumes when the sauna heats up. The natural wood also doesn't need conditioning in the traditional sense — regular ventilation and keeping it dry is genuinely the best care you can provide.

If your benches are starting to look weathered or show light gray discoloration over time, this is normal — it's simply oxidation. Fine-grit sandpaper (120–180 grit) can be used very gently along the grain to restore a fresher appearance. After sanding, vacuum or wipe away all dust thoroughly before using the sauna again.

Cedar vs. Hemlock: Cedar is naturally more resistant to moisture and has mild antimicrobial properties, making it slightly more forgiving if cleaning is occasionally delayed. Hemlock is a denser, more neutral wood that requires the same care but is less prone to the strong aromatic shifts cedar can undergo over time. Both benefit equally from consistent post-session ventilation.

Eliminating and Preventing Odors

A faint warm-wood scent when your sauna heats up is completely normal and even pleasant for many users. A strong, sour, or musty odor is a sign that sweat residue or moisture has been allowed to accumulate in the wood. The key to odor control is prevention — but if odors have already developed, they can be addressed effectively.

  • White vinegar treatment: Dilute white vinegar 1:10 with water and wipe down all bench and wall surfaces. The acetic acid neutralizes odor-

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my infrared sauna?

You should wipe down the interior benches and walls after every session to remove sweat before it soaks into the wood. A deeper clean, including scrubbing the floor and inspecting the heating elements, should be done at least once a month depending on how frequently you use the sauna.

What cleaning products are safe to use inside an infrared sauna?

Stick to mild, natural cleaners such as a diluted white vinegar solution or a gentle enzyme-based cleaner — harsh chemical disinfectants and bleach can damage the wood and leave toxic residues that get released when the sauna heats up. Always make sure any cleaner is fully dry and well-ventilated before running another session.

Can I use water to clean the interior wood panels?

You can use a lightly damp cloth to wipe down the wood, but avoid soaking the panels or using excessive water, as infrared sauna wood is typically untreated and highly absorbent. Over-wetting the wood can cause warping, cracking, mold growth, and premature deterioration of the panels.

How do I get rid of sweat stains and odors from the wood benches?

A mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water applied with a soft cloth is effective at neutralizing odors and lifting sweat stains from the bench surface. For stubborn stains, lightly sanding the affected area with fine-grit sandpaper can restore the wood's appearance without damaging the surface.

Should I clean the infrared heating panels or emitters?

You should never spray liquid directly onto the infrared heating panels or emitters, as moisture can damage the electrical components. Instead, use a dry or very slightly damp microfiber cloth to gently dust the panel surfaces, and always ensure the sauna is fully powered off and cooled down before doing so.

Is mold a concern in infrared saunas, and how can I prevent it?

Mold can develop in infrared saunas if moisture is allowed to linger after sessions, particularly in corners, on benches, and along the floor. To prevent mold, always leave the sauna door open after use to allow airflow and drying, wipe down all surfaces promptly, and perform regular deep cleanings with a vinegar-based solution.

Do sauna towels and liners help reduce how often I need to clean?

Yes, placing towels or dedicated sauna bench liners under your body during sessions significantly reduces the amount of sweat that contacts the wood directly, which cuts down on staining and odor buildup over time. Washing these liners after every use is far easier than deep-cleaning the wood itself, making them a worthwhile addition to your routine.

How do I maintain the exterior of my infrared sauna?

The exterior panels can be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild soap to remove dust and fingerprints, taking care to avoid getting moisture near any electrical components, vents, or control panels. Inspect the exterior periodically for any signs of wood damage, loose panels, or wear around the door seals to keep the unit in good long-term condition.

Continue Your Wellness Journey

Barrel Sauna vs Cube Sauna

Compare barrel vs cube sauna: key differences, pros & cons, and which is right for you. Research-backed analysis and expert insights.

Best Sauna for Small Spaces

Complete guide to small sauna for home: expert insights, research-backed information, and practical tips for best results in 2026.

Shop The Collection
Tags:
Can You Bring Your Phone Into a Sauna? Heat, Humidity & Safety Guide
Sauna Before or After Workout: Best Timing for Recovery

Leave a comment