Saunas have been revered for centuries as sanctuaries of wellness, tranquility and connection. From the traditional Finnish sauna to modern luxury designs, they provide a space to unwind, detox and rejuvenate both mind and body. But saunas are more than just a place to sweat—they’re a shared experience with a culture and etiquette all their own.
Whether you’re stepping into a sauna for the first time or upgrading to a custom-designed Theraluxe sauna for your home or commercial space, understanding the do’s and don’ts of sauna etiquette ensures you get the most out of this age-old ritual while respecting the space and those who share it.
The Origins of Sauna Etiquette
To understand sauna etiquette, it’s important to first appreciate the cultural roots of saunas. Sauna traditions date back thousands of years, particularly in Nordic cultures where they were considered sacred spaces. The Finnish sauna, for instance, was historically a place for healing, bonding and even spiritual cleansing. The Finnish say, “The sauna is a poor man’s pharmacy,” reflecting its therapeutic value. Across Japan, traditional steam baths in onsen hot springs are tied to rituals of purification and serenity. These early practices laid the groundwork for modern sauna culture, emphasizing respect for the space and those who use it.
Fast forward to today, saunas have evolved from rustic cabins in the woods to elegant, high-tech retreats. At Theraluxe Home Wellness, we’ve embraced this evolution, creating custom saunas that blend modern luxury with the timeless principles of wellness. But no matter how advanced the design, the core values of sauna etiquette remain the same: respect, cleanliness and mindfulness.
Preparing for Your Sauna Session
1. Dress Code: What Should You Wear?
The answer depends on the setting:
- Private Saunas: If you own a private sauna, such as a Theraluxe model, you have complete freedom. Many enjoy the experience au naturel, while others prefer a towel or lightweight clothing.
- Public Saunas: In shared spaces, modesty and hygiene are paramount. Wear a swimsuit or wrap yourself in a towel to meet expectations.
Theraluxe Insight: In Finland, nudity in saunas is common and culturally accepted, but in Canada, modesty often takes precedence, especially in shared spaces. Always check the norms of the sauna you’re visiting. For those designing a private sauna, consider customization options like seating for up to six people, like our Solara model. But all this depends on your preferences. Our designs cater to both individual serenity and shared relaxation.
2. Hygiene First: Shower and Freshen Up
Showering before entering a sauna is essential, not only for personal cleanliness but also to maintain the integrity of the space. A quick rinse removes sweat, oils, and any products like lotions or perfumes that can leach into the wood or intensify in the heat. This step ensures the sauna remains a clean, welcoming environment while preserving the longevity of its materials.
Theraluxe Insight: Theraluxe saunas can be customized with built-in showers, offering a seamless transition from freshening up to enjoying your sauna session. This feature enhances the convenience and practicality of your wellness space, allowing you to maintain hygiene effortlessly. With a built-in shower, your sauna routine becomes a complete wellness experience—streamlined, luxurious and perfectly tailored to your needs.
4. Pack the Essentials
A well-prepared sauna session begins with bringing the right essentials to ensure comfort, hygiene, and optimal enjoyment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Towel: A must-have for sitting or lying on, ensuring hygiene and protecting the sauna’s wood from sweat.
- Water Bottle: Hydration is key before, during, and after your session to replenish lost fluids.
- Comfortable Footwear: If allowed, clean sauna-approved sandals or slippers help maintain cleanliness while providing grip and comfort.
Theraluxe Insight: Theraluxe saunas are designed to enhance your comfort with premium flooring options like Thermo Spruce, Clear Cedar and Stone. These materials are not only visually stunning but also practical, offering durability and a pleasant feel underfoot. Whether you’re relaxing on one of our custom benches or stepping barefoot inside, every detail of a Theraluxe sauna is crafted for your ultimate experience. By packing the right essentials, you complement these features and elevate your wellness routine.
Inside the Sauna: The Do’s of Good Etiquette
Once you’re inside the sauna, your behavior shapes the experience for everyone. Following these guidelines ensures a harmonious and relaxing environment.
1. Enter Quietly and Respect the Atmosphere
A sauna is a sanctuary of calm, where the warmth invites relaxation and the silence fosters peace. Entering noisily, slamming the door, or engaging in loud conversation can disrupt this delicate balance. Instead, step in gently, close the door quietly and acknowledge others with a simple nod or smile if needed, keeping the tranquil atmosphere intact.
Theraluxe Insight: At Theraluxe, we design saunas that elevate the sensory experience. Our precision-engineered doors ensure a soft, quiet close every time, maintaining the serene environment inside. Paired with Theraluxe’s signature lighting, which offers customizable settings to create a soothing ambiance, our saunas are crafted to enhance every aspect of your relaxation journey. By entering with care and mindfulness, you complement the thoughtful design and preserve the tranquility everyone seeks.
2. Respect Personal Space
Saunas are inherently intimate spaces, where shared respect creates harmony. Maintaining appropriate boundaries ensures everyone feels comfortable and relaxed. In a crowded sauna, choose a seat that allows others their personal space. Avoid stretching out excessively or placing belongings on nearby seats when others might need them.
Theraluxe Insight:
Imagine stepping into a sauna designed to foster relaxation, only to feel crowded or confined because someone has sprawled across the bench or placed their items nearby. At Theraluxe, our saunas offer spacious, customizable layouts that prioritize comfort for both individuals and groups. Whether you opt for a cozy two-person design or a larger six-person model, our seating configurations are designed to encourage both privacy and connection, making it easier to respect personal space without compromising comfort.
3. Sit on a Towel for Hygiene
Saunas create the perfect environment for relaxation, but the heat and moisture can also create conditions for bacteria if not managed properly. Using a towel to sit or lie on is a simple yet essential practice. It protects the wood from sweat and ensures a clean, comfortable surface for the next user.
Theraluxe Insight: Maintaining hygiene shouldn’t come at the cost of your sauna’s longevity. That’s why Theraluxe saunas are crafted with moisture-resistant materials like Thermo Aspen and Alder, designed specifically for sauna environments. These premium woods not only resist wear but also retain their natural beauty, ensuring your sauna remains clean and inviting for years to come. Combined with proper towel use, your Theraluxe sauna becomes the epitome of luxury and hygiene.
4. Be Considerate with Heat Adjustments
The beauty of a sauna lies in its adaptability. Adjusting the heat or adding water to the stones (known as löyly in Finland), can transform the experience by increasing humidity and intensifying the warmth. However, this isn’t always welcome to everyone in the room. Because these adjustments affect everyone in the room, it’s crucial to gauge the comfort of others before making changes. Before adjusting the heat or humidity levels, ask for consent from others sharing the space.
Theraluxe Insight: Theraluxe saunas are designed with individual comfort in mind, offering advanced features like smart controls and precision heaters that allow users to tailor the heat and humidity to their exact preferences. In shared saunas, these technologies ensure consistency without sudden fluctuations, creating a harmonious experience for everyone. By considering others’ preferences and using these features thoughtfully, you elevate not only your comfort but also the shared ambiance of the session.
The Don’ts of Sauna Etiquette
Knowing what not to do is just as crucial. Avoiding these common pitfalls ensures your sauna session is enjoyable for everyone.
1. Skip the Electronics
Saunas offer a rare opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself. Bringing electronics like phones, tablets or smartwatches not only risks damage due to heat but also disrupts the serene environment that saunas are meant to provide. Embrace the moment by leaving your devices outside and immersing yourself fully in the experience.
Theraluxe Insight:
Theraluxe saunas are thoughtfully designed to foster mindfulness and relaxation. With spacious layouts that prioritize comfort and calm, our saunas provide the perfect environment to unplug. Whether you’re enjoying soft signature lighting or the tactile warmth of natural wood, every element encourages you to focus on the present, free from distractions. By skipping electronics, you allow yourself to fully embrace the restorative power of your sauna session.
2. Avoid Overuse of Scents
Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to elevate your sauna experience, with essential oils like eucalyptus or lavender enhancing relaxation and rejuvenation. However, in a shared space, using too much can overpower the environment and detract from the tranquil atmosphere. Stick to sauna-approved oils and use them sparingly to create a balanced and inviting experience.
Theraluxe Insight:
Theraluxe saunas are equipped with integrated aromatherapy features, thoughtfully designed to disperse subtle, soothing scents that enhance the ambiance without overwhelming the senses. Combined with our proven sauna materials that retain natural aromas, our saunas create an environment where fragrance complements relaxation. By using aromatherapy mindfully, you ensure that the space remains harmonious and enjoyable for everyone.
3. Don’t Stay Too Long
Saunas are incredibly therapeutic, but moderation is key. Sessions are most effective when limited to 10-20 minutes at a time, allowing your body to reap the benefits without risking dehydration, dizziness or overheating. Overstaying not only reduces the positive effects but can also leave you feeling fatigued rather than rejuvenated.
Theraluxe Insight:
Enhance your sauna experience by incorporating a Theraluxe cold plunge tub into your wellness routine. Alternating between the soothing heat of the sauna and the invigorating chill of a cold plunge promotes improved circulation, reduces inflammation and extends the wellness benefits of your session. This carefully balanced combination ensures you get the most out of your time in the sauna without overexerting your body.
Post-Sauna Rituals: Maximizing the Benefits
A great sauna session doesn’t end when you step out. What you do afterward is just as important for recovery and relaxation.
1. Cool Down Gradually
After the heat and relaxation of a sauna session, it’s essential to let your body adjust gradually. Moving immediately to a cold environment, like a plunge or shower, can shock your system and disrupt the balance your sauna session has created. Instead, allow yourself a few moments to cool naturally before transitioning to colder temperatures.
Theraluxe Insight:
Elevate your cooldown routine with a Theraluxe cold plunge tub. Strategically designed for seamless integration with your sauna setup, our cold plunge tubs provide a controlled, invigorating way to lower your body temperature safely and effectively. Paired with the restorative heat of a Theraluxe sauna, this combination creates a balanced wellness cycle, enhancing circulation and leaving you refreshed and energized.
2. Hydrate and Replenish
Saunas are fantastic for detoxification and relaxation, but the intense sweating can lead to significant fluid loss. Rehydration is essential to restore balance, support circulation and maintain energy levels after your session. Water is the gold standard, but incorporating electrolyte-rich beverages can further replenish vital minerals lost during sweating, ensuring your body recovers fully.
Theraluxe Insight:
Pair your sauna session with thoughtful hydration practices to maximize its benefits. A Theraluxe sauna’s spacious layouts and innovative features provide the perfect setting to incorporate wellness rituals, like sipping on infused water or natural electrolyte drinks. Whether it’s a cold citrus-infused water or a magnesium-rich electrolyte blend, your post-sauna hydration can be as rejuvenating as the session itself. This mindful approach ensures you stay refreshed, energized, and ready for your next sauna retreat.
3. Reflect and Recharge
A sauna session goes beyond the physical—it’s a time to nurture your mental and emotional well-being. After your session, pause to appreciate the clarity and relaxation it brings. Use this time for intentional practices like journaling, meditation, or simply quiet reflection. These moments allow you to integrate the calming effects of your sauna experience into your day, creating a deeper connection between your body and mind.
Theraluxe Insight:
At Theraluxe, we understand that wellness is deeply personal, which is why we offer fully customizable solutions. For a client in Fernie, we designed a unique wellness retreat that combined a sauna with a dedicated yoga space, creating a harmonious environment for mindfulness and movement. Whether you’re journaling post-session or practicing gentle yoga poses, a thoughtfully crafted wellness area amplifies the restorative benefits of your sauna. Your wellness space can be more than a retreat—it can be a catalyst for self-discovery and holistic healing.
Sauna Etiquette and Wellness: Why It Matters
Sauna etiquette isn’t just about rules—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the space. By respecting these guidelines, you’re contributing to a centuries-old tradition of wellness and connection.
Whether you’re enjoying the privacy of a Theraluxe custom sauna or visiting a public facility, following these practices ensures that saunas remain spaces of serenity and renewal.
Elevate Your Sauna Experience with Theraluxe
At Theraluxe Home Wellness, we understand that every detail matters. From eight-layer construction for superior insulation to customizable designs that fit your lifestyle, our saunas are crafted to redefine relaxation.
Whether you’re building a private retreat or a commercial wellness space, Theraluxe offers options for every need—compact saunas for two, spacious designs for six or more, and features like built-in showers, premium paneling and advanced heaters.
Ready to create your perfect sauna? Visit Theraluxe.ca and explore the possibilities.
