Caring for a Pinewood Sauna in a Tropical Climate

Pinewood is a warm, comfortable material for a sauna. In a tropical climate like Indonesia's, though, an outdoor sauna faces three challenges at once: high humidity, heavy rain, and intense sunlight. The good news is that most of the care comes down to small, regular habits.

After every session

These habits make the biggest difference to your sauna's lifespan:

• Leave the door open for a while after switching off so steam escapes and the interior dries quickly.
• Wipe down the benches with a clean cloth.
• Ask users to sit on a towel — it keeps the wood clean and reduces sweat stains.
• Take wet towels, sandals, and other items out of the cabin.

Routine cleaning

Once a week, or more often if the sauna is used by many guests:

• Sweep or vacuum the floor and the gaps between benches.
• Clean benches and walls with warm water and a little mild soap, then let them dry.
• For stubborn stains, lightly sand the bench surface with fine sandpaper.
• Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, and high-pressure water jets, which can damage the wood fibres.

Leave the interior natural. Don't coat the inside with ordinary paint or varnish, which can become sticky and give off odours when hot.

Protect the exterior walls

The outer walls take the most rain and sun. An outdoor finish (on our saunas, Lasur-Impra) helps protect the wood, but it slowly wears thinner over time.

Signs that the finish needs renewing:

• The wood colour starts to fade or turn grey.
• Rain no longer beads on the surface and soaks straight in.
• The surface feels rough or shows fine cracks.

How often it needs renewing depends heavily on the location — a sauna in full sun and rain all day needs attention more often than one under a canopy. Check the condition every few months, and ask us if you are unsure about products or methods.

The same principles apply to other timber around your sauna, such as decking or outdoor teak wall cladding: keep it dry, let air circulate, and renew the protective coating when it starts to fade.

Roof, water runoff, and base

• Roof: inspect the asphalt shingles after heavy rain or strong wind, and clear away leaves and twigs.
• Runoff: make sure water from the roof falls away from the walls and doesn't constantly splash the bottom of the cabin.
• Base: never let water pool under the sauna. Keep plants and soil trimmed back so air can circulate underneath.

Stainless straps, bolts, and doors

Wood swells when humid and shrinks when dry — that is normal. So from time to time:

• Check the tension of the stainless steel straps or rings, especially on the Sauna Barrel, and adjust them if they look loose.
• Check bolts, hinges, and door handles.
• Clean the tempered glass with ordinary glass cleaner, and make sure the door closes tightly so heat isn't lost.

Heater care

Wood-fired heater (IGNIS): remove ash regularly and check the chimney for soot or nesting animals. Always use wood pellets or thoroughly dry firewood — wet wood produces more smoke and soot and less heat.

Electric heater: keep the heater dry when not in use, and have any electrical repairs carried out by an experienced electrician.

Preventing mould and insects

Mould appears when wood stays damp for long periods, so the key is airflow and wood that dries quickly. If black or whitish spots appear inside, clean them with warm water and mild soap, sand lightly if needed, and leave the door open until dry. Also check the lower corners for signs of termites or other insects, especially if the sauna is close to a garden.

Care schedule at a glance

• Every session: open the door to dry, wipe benches, use a seat towel.
• Weekly: sweep the floor, clean benches and interior walls.
• Monthly: check roof, runoff, base, straps, bolts, and door.
• Every few months: inspect the exterior finish and renew it when needed.

With these simple habits, your pinewood sauna will stay comfortable, fragrant, and long-lasting. Questions about caring for your sauna? Message us on WhatsApp — we're happy to help, including with saunas that are already installed.