Sauna Cleaning & Care Manual

In high-volume settings where bathers use your Calore sauna throughout the day, a consistent cleaning routine keeps it fresh, hygienic and long-lasting. Below is the protocol we recommend — adjust the frequency and depth to your usage and environment, and always follow your local health regulations.

For an even more in-depth care schedule, see the official Harvia Sauna Care & Maintenance instructions (PDF).

What you'll need

• Harvia Sauna Cleanser — general all-purpose sauna cleaner.
• Harvia Paraffin Oil — protects and seals the wood, extending its life.
• Harvia Sauna Heater Cleanser — removes limescale and buildup from the heater.
• Windex Foaming Glass Cleaner — for glass windows, fronts and doors.

How often should I clean my sauna?

This depends on how many bathers use your sauna each day. The below is a general guide — consult your local health and safety inspector where required.

Commercial settings (high volume, multiple bathers per day)

• Between sessions / every 2 hours: a quick wipe-down of high-contact points using Step 1.
• End of each day: complete Steps 1 and 4, scrub the floors with the sauna cleanser, and leave the door open overnight to air out.
• Weekly: complete Steps 1 through 4.

Home use (personal or family unit)

• At a minimum, complete Steps 1, 3 and 4 monthly, and air the sauna out overnight once a month.
• Semi-annually, complete Steps 1 through 4.

Step 1 — Sauna cleanser

Your general all-purpose clean for the sauna interior.

1. Mix 30 ml of sauna cleanser with 5 litres of warm water. Wearing protective gloves, wash the wooden surfaces with a sponge — on vertical surfaces, work from the top down. If dirt is embedded in the benches, sand lightly in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Rinse the wooden surfaces with water and dry carefully.

Pro tip: heating the sauna speeds up drying.

Step 2 — Paraffin oil

Apply after cleaning. Suitable for all wood surfaces (especially heat-treated wood), paraffin oil reduces moisture and dirt absorption and enriches the wood's tone.

1. Test the oil on the underside of a bench first to see how the shade changes — every piece of wood is unique.
2. Make sure the wood is completely dry before treating.
3. Wearing gloves, pour the oil onto a sponge and apply evenly over all interior wood surfaces.
4. Let it sit for ½–1 hour, then wipe dry if needed.

Pro tip: heating the sauna speeds drying, which helps if you've applied the oil a little thick.

Step 3 — Sauna heater cleanser

Cleans buildup and limescale off the heater's exterior surfaces (and other acid-resistant materials like tile and porcelain). Suitable for stainless-steel heater surfaces.

1. Use a sponge or cloth to spread the cleanser from top to bottom.
2. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
3. Scrub clean and rinse carefully. Repeat if needed.

Note: do not use together with chlorinated substances. Contains non-ionic surfactants and sodium benzoate; pH approx. 3.

Step 4 — Foaming glass cleaner

For the glass window, fronts or doors, which build up water staining over time (like a glass shower door).

1. Shake the can well before use.
2. Hold upright, 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) from the surface, and spray an even layer of foam top to bottom.
3. Let it sit 1–2 minutes.
4. Wipe clean; reapply and repeat as needed.

Questions about caring for your sauna? Email info@calore.ca or call us anytime.