How to Clean Your Infrared Sauna: The 'Less Is More' Guide to Cedar Care (2026)

The most common cleaning mistake with infrared saunas isn't neglect — it's overcleaning with the wrong products. Western Red Cedar contains thujaplicins — natural antimicrobial compounds that kill bacteria and resist mold. Your sauna's operating temperature (130-150°F) kills most pathogens during every session. The wood IS the cleaning system.

Using bleach, ammonia, or commercial cleaners inside a sauna introduces chemicals that absorb into the wood and off-gas at elevated temperatures during your next session. You'll be breathing chlorine fumes or ammonia vapor while trying to do something healthy. Less is genuinely more.

After every session (2 minutes)

Wipe the bench and backrest with a damp (not soaking) cloth to remove sweat and body oils. Leave the sauna door ajar for 15-30 minutes so moisture can escape and air can circulate — this prevents any mildew from developing. If you sit on a towel barrier during sessions (recommended), even less wiping is needed since most sweat never reaches the wood. That's the entire post-session protocol.

Monthly deep clean (15 minutes)

Wipe all interior surfaces with a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water. Alternatively: a few drops of tea tree oil in water (natural antimicrobial). Wipe heater panels with a dry soft cloth to remove dust buildup. Check the floor for accumulated moisture or debris. Inspect the door seal for gaps or wear — a deteriorating seal is the #1 cause of temperature problems. Verify the ventilation pathway is clear and unobstructed.

Annual refresh (1 hour)

Light sanding of bench surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper. This removes body oil buildup that darkens the wood, refreshes the surface texture, and — the bonus — temporarily restores the beautiful cedar scent. Inspect all visible wood joints for loosening. Clean exterior surfaces. Visual check of electrical connections (if anything looks scorched, discolored, or loose, call SaunaCloud at 800-370-0820 or a licensed electrician). Replace any worn towel barriers.

What NEVER to use inside your sauna

The only cleaning products that belong inside your sauna: water, white vinegar, tea tree oil, and a soft cloth. Everything else introduces chemicals you don't want to inhale at 135°F.

The towel barrier system

The simplest way to keep your sauna clean: sit on a large towel that covers the bench and backrest. Replace after every session. This prevents most body oil and sweat from ever reaching the wood — reducing cleaning to an occasional wipe rather than a scrubbing project. Use natural-fiber towels (cotton, linen) without chemical fabric softener residue. Dedicated sauna towels washed separately from your regular laundry are ideal.

Sweat stains and darkening

Over time, even with towel barriers, some body oil will reach the wood. This causes gradual darkening — especially on bench surfaces where you sit. This is cosmetic, not structural. It doesn't affect performance or safety. Light sanding (220-grit) during your annual refresh addresses it. Some people love the patina of a well-used sauna — the wood tells the story of thousands of sessions.

Mold prevention

Mold in a sauna is almost always a ventilation issue, not a cleaning issue. Cedar resists mold naturally. Sauna heat kills mold spores during operation. The only scenario where mold develops: moisture is trapped inside the cabin after sessions because the door was closed immediately, trapping humid air. The fix: leave the door ajar for 15-30 minutes after every session. If mold does appear (typically in corners or beneath benches), light sanding removes it — then improve your ventilation habit.

Frequently asked questions