by Divine Saunas Team March 08, 2023 5 min read
Purchasing a barrel sauna can seriously change your life—for the better! Research indicates that regular sauna bathing can offer a slew of health benefits. (1)
But like most investments, your sauna will need a bit of upkeep to stay in good working order. Performing these simple tasks ensures you’ll get years of enjoyment while minimizing the need for major repairs.
That’s why we put together this complete guide on barrel sauna maintenance. In just a few minutes, you’ll know everything your sauna needs throughout any given year. We’ll also share our best tips for effectively dealing with any potential issues you might encounter. Let’s get started!
“Whether it’s a new project or an older surface that might do well with a bit of refreshing, protecting and rejuvenating your cedar structures with some high-quality stain might be a smart move for optimal longevity.” –Bob Vila
You’ll want to choose a stain with a UV inhibitor for the best results. Your local paint store can give professional recommendations for your specific climate and sauna. While you’re there, it's also smart to ask for tips on the best application methods.
Interior barrel sauna maintenance is also fairly easy. The simplest way to clean the inside is with a microfiber dust towel or a damp cloth. You’ll want to do this after every 1-2 uses, or at least once every week.
Many people find it easy to designate a broom for the sauna, too. You can just sweep away any dirt or debris on the floor while the sauna is cool and dry.
For deeper cleaning, warm water and a dash of lemon essential oil can work wonders. Add the oil to a small pail or bucket of water and dip a cloth in. Gently wring it out and you’re ready to scrub the benches, walls, or any interior areas in need of TLC.
Dealing with tough interior stains? A very gentle sanding with fine grit sandpaper is the most effective option. (3) Then follow with a warm water scrub.
You should also know one very important thing not to do with your sauna’s interior. You should never apply any kind of stain or sealant to the interior. The steam and water won’t react well with these chemicals.
Finally, check your sauna’s stones periodically for buildup or cracks. A quick rinse should be enough to get them looking clean again. If your stones are showing cracks, give us a call at 888-554-4332 to discuss replacements.
Let’s dive into cadence now that you know all about cleaning barrel saunas. Certain tasks should be taken care of every few uses. Other details only need to be addressed once or twice per year.
First, we have a couple tips to minimize maintenance even further. You and your guests should always wash your feet before using the sauna. This prevents anybody from tracking in dirt or debris that causes tough stains.
Next, keeping towels on your sauna benches can seriously reduce the accumulation of sweat and other oils. You never want to use your sauna as a clothes or towel dryer, to be clear. But sitting/laying on a towel during each session will reduce how much cleaning the interior needs.
Now let’s cover the appropriate timings for cleaning and maintenance.
Every Few Uses
Every few uses, take care of these tasks:
• Use a towel or cloth to wipe down the benches and any other horizontal surfaces like shelves, etc. Use warm water and a few drops of lemon essential oil for a deeper clean.
• Dust the interior, including walls and ledges. You can do this at the same time as you wipe down the benches.
• Sweep and/or vacuum the interior floor once everything is dry.
• Clean windows and any other glass in the sauna.
• Remove any debris from the exterior porch if you have one.
Annually
Every year (or as often as twice a year), perform the following upkeep:
• Check the stones for any cracks or breaks and order replacements if needed.
• With the stones removed, use a small hand vacuum for any small chips of stone, dust, or other debris in the cavity.
• Rinse the stones that don’t need replacing and allow them to dry. Then, place them back in your sauna.
• Check the interior for any deep stains that need sanding. Remember to use fine grit!
• Use a pressure washer on a low setting to wash the exterior.
• If you elected to stain your sauna’s exterior, check for any spots that need touch-ups.
The team at Divine Saunas, brings years of combined expertise in the sauna industry and in creating helpful customer experiences online. With our unique perspectives we work together to help our customers fulfill their goals in creating a wonderful sauna oasis and spa. We do the research of high quality products, information and solutions and deliver that to you.
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