Recommended Clothing for Sauna Use

Recommended Clothing for Sauna Use

Wearing the appropriate clothing while using the sauna will allow you to reap the maximum benefits from your sauna session. In this article, we will discuss what we recommend that you wear or don’t wear while using the sauna. Public sauna’s will be more restrictive in terms of how little clothing you can choose to wear while owning your own private sauna will allow you to bath freely in as little or no clothing as you wish.

Recommended Sauna Clothing Material:

- Cotton Clothing: Loose cotton clothing is always recommended as cotton will absorb your sweat and allow you to stay cool during your sauna session. The material is natural and will not be a factor in overheating you during your sauna bath.

- Polyester Clothing: We do not recommend that you wear polyester based clothing in the sauna. This type of clothing contains PVC and or plastic materials embedded into the clothing. Examples of this type of clothing include yoga pants and tight fitting tank tops, which are both very restrictive types of clothing. The PVC can release toxic chemicals as it becomes very hot from the heat inside of the sauna. Polyester clothing can also retain heat as it becomes hot and will consequently make your sauna session very uncomfortable. It is also very restrictive and will not allow your skin to sweat naturally as it will hold all of the heat within the polyester material.

- Swim Wear: Swim wear is always recommended as the material is breathable, light and made of cotton. It also provides the maximum exposure for your skin which is great as your pores will open and you will sweat profusely in the sauna.

Recommended Sauna Headwear:

It is always a good idea to wear a cotton hat and or moist towel on your head when using the sauna. Your hair can become very dry and frizzy as it is exposed to the high heat environment of your sauna. This can consequently damage your hair follicles so it is always a good idea to keep your hair covered in order to keep your hair moist during your sauna session.

Cotton Towels:

Always bring a towel with you when using a sauna. Not only can you use the towel to wipe your sweat but you can also use it to place on the seat or bench of a public sauna. The towel will act as a barrier against germs and bacteria and will also prevent your bodily fluids from contaminating the seat inside of the sauna. Using a towel in the public sauna is always great etiquette as a courtesy to other sauna users. If you own your own sauna, you will not need to worry as much about contamination as that is your own private oasis away from the public. Keep in mind that saunas become very hot so whether you are using a public sauna or your own private sauna, laying down the towel before sitting on the bench in the sauna is always a good idea so that you don’t accidentally burn your skin.

Recommended Sauna Footwear:

Wearing sandals or bathing slippers is the best choice when using a public sauna. Although many public saunas will allow you to walk in barefoot, you do not want to catch athlete’s foot in the event that someone else has contaminated the floor in the sauna. Heat breeds bacteria so it is always good to wear slippers to create a barrier between your feet and the bare floor of the sauna. Never wear your shoes inside of the sauna as you will be tracking in bacteria and dirt on the soles of your shoes. That is also great etiquette for those using the public sauna after you. If you are using your own private sauna, you can always go in barefoot as there is no risk of contamination from public use. If the sauna floor is very hot, we always recommend going in with slippers to stay comfortable.

Your trips to the sauna will always be worth it, you are investing a small amount of time for great health benefits such as detoxification and relaxation for the body and mind. Be respectful to others and always remember the sauna etiquette mentioned above and you will never have a problem when using the sauna. Enjoy your time in the sauna and always remember to stay well hydrated during your sauna bath.