How to Clean Portable Saunas: 4 Proven Cleaning Tips

Portable saunas are fairly easy to maintain. However, just like with their usage, the key is to clean portable saunas regularly.

Portable saunas – especially steam-based models – require regular maintenance. Neglecting the sauna tent could lead to quite a few problems, such as sweat buildup and odor. Not to mention that their reliance on vapor could cause moisture issues.

With proper cleaning, you can maintain hygiene, but also allow your sauna to last longer. And, of course, cleaning them regularly would prevent unpleasant smells. That way, even your future uses would be pleasant.

In this guide, we will talk about why daily maintenance is important and how to perform deep cleaning and drying.

Why It’s Important to Clean Portable Saunas

Keeping your portable sauna clean is a good practice that should become a part of your routine. It’s every bit as important as the usage itself.

The reason why you should keep it clean is a combination of sweat and moisture buildup. Simply put, a sauna tent is a warm enclosed space. If you ignore it after use, it is ideal for bacteria to grow and multiply. Not to mention that sweat and moisture that stay behind after use will quickly produce odors.

As mentioned, steam models are especially prone to keeping the moisture in. They do it regularly with steam, but the downside is that the moisture has trouble leaving even after use.

If you keep your sauna clean, you can prevent mold and mildew from forming. This will ensure that you have a pleasant sauna experience in the future. That way, you can keep using it for longer and make it more comfortable and enjoyable.

What You Need Before Cleaning

In terms of preparations, you need very little before you can start cleaning your sauna. Some simple basic supplies will be necessary, such as a soft cloth or a sponge, and mild soap/gentle cleaner.

Beyond that, you need warm water and a dry towel. You can also get disinfecting wipes, but those are optional. You can perform cleaning easily enough without them.

One big thing to keep in mind is to avoid harsh chemicals. That is because a strong cleaning solution could damage the fabric of the portable sauna tent.

Also, when cleaning the sauna, be careful not to soak electrical parts. Replacing them could quickly turn into extra costs, at best. At worst, you might need to completely replace the sauna, depending on the damage.

How to Clean a Portable Sauna: Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s move on to the actual cleaning process. Here is what you need to do to clean a portable sauna, step by step.

Step 1: Turn off and unplug

Once your sauna session is over, it’s time to start the cleaning process. However, first allow the unit to cool off. Turn off the steamer (if using a steam-based portable sauna) or unplug your infrared model.

You can let it cool off while you relax after the session and focus on stabilizing your own body temperature.

Step 2: Wipe the interior

Once everything is cool, start by wiping all interior surfaces. Focus on areas that have come into contact with your body and are sweat-prone. Tent walls, the folding chair, and the floor mat are the biggest examples of this.

Other than that, make sure to wipe the corners well to remove the moisture.

Step 3: Empty the steam generator

Don’t forget the steam generator. While it is an external part of the sauna, it is just as important to keep it clean. Remove any leftover water from it to prevent mineral buildup. Doing so will make sure that the steamer lasts longer.

Step 4: Fully dry the equipment

Finally, dry everything as best as you can with a towel. Once you are done, leave the sauna wide open. That means any zippers and windows that the model may have should remain open. That way, any water you couldn’t remove manually will evaporate on its own.

This is also why it matters to keep the sauna in a well-ventilated place. Air circulation does a lot in helping you dry it well, so keep that in mind.

Drying is as important as cleaning, since it prevents moisture from sticking around. With no moisture, you remove the conditions for bacterial growth.

Deep Cleaning Your Portable Sauna

Regular cleaning is crucial to keep it in working order. However, it is also recommended to do deep cleaning from time to time. Ideally, you should do it once every few weeks, depending on use.

Deep cleaning includes cleaning of the tent fabric, the zippers, the chair, and even the steam hose/nozzle. Again, try to perform the maintenance gently, without damaging the components.

For this, you also need gentle soap and a damp cloth. Make sure to check the corners for moisture buildup. If you prevent moisture from sticking around, you will also prevent mold from forming. This usually happens after you fold the sauna and store it away without drying it properly.

For extra safety, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean mineral deposits in the steamer.

Avoid using strong chemicals like bleach or abrasive cleaners. While effective at removing bacteria, they will also damage the fabric.

How to Prevent Odors and Mold

Keeping your sauna clean will enable your own wellness and relaxation in the long term. That means preventing things like odors and mold from building up.

Doing this can be challenging, but if you follow a few ground rules, you can ensure it without issues. The biggest rule is to never store your sauna before it dries up properly. Storing it while it’s still damp will only enable bacteria and mold.

Fully dry them before folding, and make sure to use them (and dry them) in a ventilated room. That’s about all there is to it – clean the sauna regularly, don’t forget to empty the steamer, and you should be fine.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning Your Portable Sauna

Lastly, let’s go over some common mistakes that sauna users tend to make. Most of these were already mentioned throughout this guide, but let’s list them all in one place.

The first and biggest mistake is folding and storing away the sauna while it is still wet. Even if you wiped it clean, leave it out for a while to dry properly.

Next, using harsh chemicals is also a big mistake, as they tend to damage the materials. Things like gentle soap or a mixture of water and baking soda work a lot better.

Next, do not ignore your steam generator. Many users skip their steamer maintenance, and it ends up being the first thing to go. Also, be careful when you deal with electrical components. Don’t make the mistake of getting them wet, as they can easily stop working after direct contact with water.

Lastly, don’t wait for too long between cleanings. It might not seem like a big deal, but cleaning your portable sauna regularly matters. It will prolong its life and prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Most importantly, you won’t have to buy a replacement too quickly.

FAQ

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean portable sauna is simple, but that doesn’t make it unimportant. Regular maintenance matters, as it can prolong your sauna’s lifespan. It prevents mold from forming, and it keeps the amount of bad bacteria in the sauna tent to a minimum.

By keeping it clean and dry outside of use, you will also improve your own experience. Mainly by preventing unpleasant smells and mold.

If you want a low-maintenance setup, we have selected the best portable sauna for home use that you can check out.