Covering a Home Sauna Between Sessions

I keep a light cotton dust sheet folded on a shelf beside my sauna. Between sessions, I drape it over the top and down the sides, leaving the front vent and the gap under the bench open. Plastic drop cloths are tempting because they are cheap and easy, but they trap moisture. The wood needs to dry, not sweat.

Pet hair is my main reason for covering. One of our cats sleeps near the warm cabinet, and a loose cover keeps fur off the benches. I shake the sheet outside every few days and wash it monthly. If a guest is sensitive to lint, I use a second sheet just for the bench surface.

Sunlight matters more than I expected. My sauna sits across from a west window, and direct afternoon light can make the cover look faded and the exterior warmer than it needs to be. I close the blind on bright days and keep the cover loose so air still moves.

Condensation is the signal I watch. After a session, I leave the door ajar for an hour, wipe the glass and the low corners, and only then put the sheet back. If the room feels damp, I wait longer. A small hygrometer helps; I aim for the wood to feel dry before covering.

My routine looks like this:

• Shake the cover outside after each use.
• Check for pet hair on the bench and floor.
• Leave the door ajar until the glass clears.
• Push the cover back if the room stays humid.

The maker’s guidance I received was simple: cover for dust, not for containment. I wrote their notes on a card and taped it inside a cabinet door, which is where I keep my own between-session sauna cover notes. I also ask the maker about finish-safe cleaning before using any spray near the wood. If you are unsure, check the provider’s current terms and care instructions.

That small habit keeps the benches cleaner and the wood drier between sessions.

— Sarah Collins