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The article ” Why sauna is so important for Finns” considers how sauna has become such an essential part of the Finnish identity. Do you know what might be the answer?

The history of the Finnish sauna

Historically, children have been born, the sick have been cared for, and people have been washed in the Finnish sauna. The anointing of the sick was also received in the sauna. The sauna was the only clean place and, therefore, considered sacred. The sauna was often the first building to be built, and people lived in the sauna until the main house was finished.

At first, saunas were earth pits. The stones were heated and covered with branches, twigs and other natural products. Water was thrown on the hot stones, which is how sauna steam was created.

The Reformation ended saunas and spa culture from Central Europe. In Finland and Russia, they fortunately survived. This is because the sauna culture was much older and rooted in our people’s customs.

However, in Sweden, the religious Reformation suppressed sauna culture and saunas were systematically destroyed. Northern Sweden was the only place that was spared from the destruction.

Read more: Swedish sauna culture

Finns do not understand the importance of sauna

Now that I’ve studied saunas for many years, I think we Finns don’t even realize how deeply saunas are part of our culture. The sauna is vital for most of us in ways we do not often consider.

Only in recent years has sauna been studied from a health perspective. And the results have also surprised us Finns. Saunas are often thought to be just for washing, but now there is evidence that saunas have real health benefits.

A sauna reduces stress, improves sleep quality and helps to recover after sports and the challenges of a working day or week.

Health effects of sauna:

Lowers blood pressure
Blood circulation accelerates
Peripheral blood circulation improves
The brain produces endorphins, i.e. pleasure hormones
Sauna can help those suffering from chronic diseases, e.g. rheumatism, asthma, persistent arthritis
Increases life expectancy
Lowers risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
The sauna may also strengthen the immune system!

The Finns have also understood what many nations do not: you can take a sauna as long as you want and feel good. You don’t look at the clock; you listen to your body. Each of us works in our way.

I live abroad and am often asked about the health benefits of a sauna. Before, I couldn’t tell you anything more about a sauna than that it is good for the body and mind. Today, I can better explain why a sauna is so essential for all of us: it makes us happy and healthy.

As an old saying tells us, these three belong together: Suomi, Sauna, and Sisu.

Read more: Finnish sauna culture.

Finnish sauna and beliefs

Many different beliefs have been and still are associated with the sauna. For example, the Christmas sauna is full of different traditions. In the olden days, the sauna was heated the night before Christmas so that everyone could enter the sauna during daylight hours. You had to sit quietly in the Christmas sauna so the mosquitoes would stay away the following summer.

After finishing the sauna, it is customary to keep it warm for the deceased or the sauna gnome.

We still believe in the sauna gnome

In the Finnish tradition, the sauna elf or gnome is a tiny creature who cares for the sauna. It’s tradition to keep the sauna warm after you have finished so the sauna gnome can enjoy it, too. After the Christmas sauna, beer and a wash basin full of water were left for him in hopes that he, too, could enjoy the Christmas sauna. As a thank you, the gnome will guard your sauna and house for the coming year.

Read more: Christmas sauna

Miksi saunominen on niin tärkeä suomalaisille

A Finnish sauna relaxes, cleanses, and increases the sense of community and strengthens social bonds. It prevents and manages stress. It improves the quality of sleep and increases the amount of deep sleep.

Taking a sauna raises the heart rate (but does not replace exercise). It is good for the skin and can significantly help those suffering from various skin diseases. Sauna reduces pain and relaxes the muscles.

Pretty neat, right?

Can you better answer why the sauna is so important to Finns?

Love, Sauna-Kati

The article “How to maintain and care for your sauna” tells how to care for your sauna properly. Which detergents should be used to wash the sauna? What should be taken into account after a sauna session? How do you extend the life of your sauna?

Unfortunately, without maintenance, a sauna is not a long-lasting investment and is therefore not ecological. So, if you put a lot of money into building a sauna, you must also remember to take care of it. By maintaining the sauna, you increase its longevity significantly.

If you have bought your sauna, the manufacturer will provide care instructions specifically for your sauna. In this article, however, I have collected the best tips that work for almost every sauna.

How to wash the sauna

A good rule of thumb is to wash the sauna 2-3 times a year when you sauna once a week. If you take saunas more often, you should clean the sauna more often.

Which detergents should be used to wash the sauna?

I am a supporter of natural and environmentally friendly detergents. I have tried several different ecological products that can be found in most households’ kitchen cupboards. I have had excellent experiences with some of these; they have always made my sauna clean and fresh. I haven’t, however, tried all of them, like a linseed oil sponge, black soap or steam cleaner.

I recommend these ingredients for washing the sauna:

Vinegar
Citric acid
Baking soda
Clay soap
Euca washing concentrate
Soda crystal
Linseed oil soap
Marius Fabre black soap
Steam cleaner

Check here how to use these cleaning agents: How to clean the sauna ecologically – 9 tips.

How do you wash your sauna:

Move removable benches and stools out of the way and put them in the washroom.
Vacuum or brush the dust off the sauna floors, walls and ceiling.
Wet the wooden surfaces of the benches first with warm water to open the surface of the wood.
Make the detergent mixture in a bucket, or if you use universal stone, follow their instructions.
Brush the benches with a soft brush, sponge or sauna brush in the direction of the wood grain.
Finally, rinse the benches with cold water to seal the surface of the wood. You can rinse with warm water first.
Dry the benches with a dryer.
Wash and rinse the walls from the bottom up. Washing the walls every time is not necessary, so monitor the situation.
Also, wash buckets, ladles, brushes and other sauna utensils.
Wash the floor drain and grate. Empty the hair and other debris from the floor drain.
Finally, wash the floor and let it dry.
Turn on the sauna for half an hour so that the sauna dries properly. Bring the freshly washed removable benches and the stool back to the sauna to dry.
You can also occasionally rinse or brush the sauna benches between washes.

Note that the benches must dry adequately every time you heat the sauna.

You can read more detailed instructions in this article: How to wash a sauna.

How to oil sauna the benches

This is also a good time to oil the sauna benches. Oiling the sauna benches should be done once or twice a year.

The best substance for oiling sauna boards is pure paraffin oil.

This is how you oil the sauna benches:

Wash the sauna, preferably the day before, and dry it properly.
Heat the sauna to 40 degrees, and place the oil can onto the benches to get warm. The heat opens the wood grain, and the oil is absorbed better.
Apply the oil with a brush or sponge on both sides of the benches.
It’s best to start with the end surfaces, where the oil is absorbed quickly.
Treat all visible surfaces with oil, including the backrests.
Remember to oil the benches from the bottom as well.
Allow the oil to absorb for 1-2 hours.
Wipe off any excess oil with a lint-free cloth.
Note that the oil must be adequately absorbed before you heat the sauna. Preferably, wait until the next day.

You can read more detailed instructions in this article: Oiling the sauna benches.

You can order paraffin oil directly from my Sauna Shop. I deliver sauna products from Germany to Europe and North America.

Order here: Sauna-Shop

Tips for caring for the sauna:

The best oil to use for your benches is paraffin oil.
Remember to change and wash the sauna stones once a year.
Check the condition of the sauna heater stones and replace them with new ones if necessary.
Especially in an electric stove, the stove stones must be changed or re-laid on top of each other. Old stones weigh down the electrical resistances; thus, more electricity is consumed, and the sauna experience is no longer as good.

This is how you change the stove stones:

Empty the stones and vacuum the inside of the stove.
Wipe inside and outside with a damp cloth.
Put the stones back according to the stove manufacturer’s instructions.

Read more detailed instructions: How to change the stove stones.

Care for your sauna at the end of every sauna session

The last tip is always to remember to maintain the sauna at the end of the sauna session.
Dry the shelves and the floor, and leave the electric heater on for another 20 minutes so the sauna dries properly.
Keep the door closed to prevent moisture entering the bathroom or dressing room.

The above instructions are essential to keep the sauna in good condition for as long as possible. You want to enjoy a clean and fresh sauna!

What do you think? Will you start following these instructions now, or do you already care for your sauna regularly?

I hope this article on maintaining and caring for your sauna helped you and gave you new tips on how to love your sauna.

Remember to take care of your sauna!

Love, Sauna-Kati