How to Clean and Maintain Your Infrared Sauna Interior and Exterior

Owning an infrared sauna at home is one of those upgrades that feels amazing in the beginning—and then a few weeks later, you start noticing fingerprints on the glass, sweat marks on the bench, and a bit of dust collecting where you didn’t expect it.

That’s completely normal.

The good news is that keeping your sauna in good shape is much easier than most people think. You don’t need strong cleaners, complicated products, or a long maintenance routine. In fact, with infrared saunas, being too aggressive usually does more harm than good.

If you have a home model like the SpringSpa infrared sauna, the best care routine is simple: keep the wood dry, keep the surfaces clean, and avoid anything that could damage the finish or electrical components.

Why regular sauna maintenance matters

An infrared sauna isn’t just a wooden box that gets warm. It combines natural wood, heating panels, tempered glass, wiring, a control system, lighting features, and in some cases extras like Bluetooth audio, chromotherapy lights, oxygen ionizer functions, and red light therapy.

That means regular cleaning is about more than appearance. It also helps support hygiene, airflow, wood condition, and long-term performance.

Even though infrared saunas are considered dry saunas, sweat and body moisture still build up over time. If that moisture sits too long on wood surfaces, it can lead to odors, discoloration, and a generally less pleasant sauna experience.

Start with the easiest habit: let the sauna air out

The most effective maintenance step is also the easiest one to forget.

After every sauna session, leave the door open for a while and let the inside breathe. That allows trapped warmth and moisture to escape instead of staying sealed inside the cabin.

This one habit helps reduce stale smells, dampness, and moisture buildup in the wood. It also helps the sauna feel fresher the next time you use it.

A lot of people focus only on cleaning products, but simple airflow is one of the biggest things that helps keep a sauna interior in good condition.

How to clean the sauna interior properly

The inside of your sauna needs the most attention because it’s where sweat, skin oils, and heat all come together. The bench, backrest, arm areas, floor section, and handles are the places that usually need the most regular care.

After each use, it’s a good idea to wipe down the main contact surfaces with a soft dry cloth or a slightly damp towel. This removes moisture before it has time to settle into the wood.

For regular cleaning, warm water and a mild soap are usually all you need. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently wipe the wood surfaces, then go back over them with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue. After that, dry everything well.

The important thing is not to soak the wood. Sauna wood should be cleaned lightly, not saturated.

If your sauna uses Canadian Hemlock, like many home infrared saunas, that gentle approach is especially important. Hemlock is durable and attractive, but like any natural wood, it lasts longer when it’s kept clean and dry instead of repeatedly exposed to excess moisture.

What should never be used on sauna wood

This is where people sometimes accidentally shorten the life of their sauna.

Strong household cleaners may seem like the “deep clean” option, but they’re usually the wrong choice for sauna interiors. Harsh products can damage the wood surface, affect the finish, and leave behind smells that become much more noticeable once the sauna heats up.

You should avoid bleach, alcohol-based sprays, abrasive pads, furniture polish, essential oils directly on the wood, and any cleaner with a strong chemical solvent smell.

Steam cleaning is also not recommended. That’s not just a cosmetic issue—it’s also a safety issue around electrical parts and heater zones.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and general home electrical safety guidance consistently stress keeping water and steam away from electrical appliances and components. 

If you ever notice light sweat stains or minor dark spots on the bench, a very gentle pass with fine sandpaper can help refresh the surface. That’s usually better than trying to scrub the stain aggressively.

Don’t forget the floor and lower panels

A lot of infrared sauna owners do a decent job cleaning eye-level surfaces but completely ignore the lower section.

That’s where dust, lint, hair, and small debris tend to collect, especially near the footboard or lower heating panel area. Over time, that buildup can make the sauna feel less clean overall, even if the benches still look fine.

A small handheld vacuum or a soft brush is perfect for this part. It keeps the lower interior tidy without introducing extra moisture where you don’t want it.

This doesn’t need to be done obsessively, but it should definitely be part of your routine every so often.

How to clean the exterior without damaging the finish

The exterior of your infrared sauna should be treated more like quality furniture than a bathroom fixture.

If your unit has a painted or darker exterior finish—such as a black infrared sauna model—you’ll want to avoid rough cloths, harsh sprays, or anything that could leave scratches or dull spots.

In most cases, a microfiber cloth is enough for regular dusting. For fingerprints or light smudges, use a slightly damp soft cloth and then dry the surface right after.

That’s usually all it takes to keep the outside looking sharp.

If the sauna is installed in a room with changing humidity, dust, or heavier daily use, it may need a little more frequent attention. But the rule stays the same: gentle cleaning is better than over-cleaning.

The glass door needs special care too

Glass is one of the first things people notice on a home sauna, and also one of the first places that starts looking messy.

Fingerprints, hand oils, water spots and everyday smudges can show up quickly on a tempered glass door, especially in a household setting.

The best way to clean sauna glass is to use a soft paper towel or microfiber cloth and, if needed, a small amount of non-abrasive glass cleaner. A good habit is to spray the cleaner onto the cloth instead of directly onto the glass. That helps keep overspray away from the wood trim and surrounding surfaces.

If you’re dealing with a more stubborn mark, wipe it first with a damp cloth and then dry it fully afterward.

The goal is to keep the glass clear without scratching it or leaving streaks behind.

Keep heater areas and controls clean, but always dry

Because infrared saunas use electrical heating panels and built-in controls, it’s worth checking those areas once in a while as part of basic maintenance.

You don’t need to take anything apart or do technical servicing for regular care, but you should keep visible heater zones, vents, and control surfaces free from dust and obstruction.

A dry microfiber cloth or a soft brush is usually enough for this. Water should never be used directly around electrical components, the control panel, connection points, or heater surfaces.

And before doing any cleaning near those areas, always make sure the sauna is turned off and completely cooled down.

That’s especially important for units with features like Bluetooth control systems, interior lighting, and red light therapy add-ons.

Be careful with ozone and air purification features

Some infrared saunas include a negative ion or ozone-style oxygen bar function. While that may sound like a bonus for freshness, it should still be used carefully.

Ozone isn’t something that should be overused in a small enclosed space.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that ozone can irritate the lungs and respiratory system, even at relatively low levels. (Source: https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/health-effects-ozone-pollution)

So if your sauna includes this kind of feature, it’s best to use it only as instructed and not as something that runs continuously while you’re inside for long sessions.

Short, controlled use makes much more sense than overdoing it.

How to care for a red light therapy lamp

If your infrared sauna includes a built-in red light therapy lamp, that part should also stay clean and unobstructed.

Dust can build up on lamp surfaces over time, so it’s a good idea to wipe the outer housing gently with a dry or barely damp soft cloth. Never spray cleaner directly onto the lamp.

It’s also important not to cover the lamp with towels, clothing, or accessories. Keeping it clear helps it function properly and reduces unnecessary heat trapping around the unit.

When it comes to red light therapy itself, there’s still a lot of research developing around ideal wavelengths, dosage, and outcomes. The science is promising in some areas, but it’s still best treated as a wellness feature rather than a miracle fix.

Neptune Full Spectrum Red-Light Therapy Sauna

How often should you clean your infrared sauna?

A good sauna care routine doesn’t need to be complicated. What matters most is consistency.

A quick wipe-down after each use goes a long way, especially on the bench and high-contact surfaces. A more complete cleaning once a week or every couple of weeks is usually enough for normal home use.

If several people use the sauna regularly, or if it’s used very often, then you’ll probably want to clean it more frequently.

Monthly, it’s smart to do a slightly more careful check of the floor area, glass, exterior panels, vents, and visible heater surroundings just to make sure nothing is being neglected.

Small habits that keep your sauna cleaner for longer

A lot of good sauna maintenance comes down to what you do before the dirt ever builds up.

Using a clean towel on the bench every session helps protect the wood from sweat and body oils. Avoiding heavy lotions, body oils, or wet clothing inside the sauna also makes cleanup much easier later.

It’s also a good idea not to use the sauna as a storage area for random items, extra towels, or anything placed on top of the unit.

And if you ever notice a burning smell, unusual odor, or anything electrical that seems off, stop using the sauna until it’s checked properly. That’s not something to “clean away.”

A clean sauna is a better sauna

Infrared sauna maintenance really doesn’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need a cabinet full of products or some elaborate routine. Most of the time, the best approach is also the simplest: wipe surfaces, keep the wood dry, clean the glass gently, and avoid harsh chemicals or excess moisture.

If you stay on top of the basics, your sauna will stay more comfortable, look better, and hold up much better over time.

And honestly, that’s what most people want from a home sauna anyway—a clean, relaxing space that always feels ready when you are.

If you’re using a model like a SpringSpa infrared sauna, a little regular care will go a long way toward keeping both the interior and exterior in great condition.