Have you recently purchased a barrel sauna or are you thinking about buying one?
Then you certainly know how important it is to take good care of your investment so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
Unfortunately, it happens again and again that owners make mistakes when caring for barrel saunas , which can lead to damage or an unsightly appearance.
To prevent this from happening to you, we have identified the six biggest mistakes in barrel sauna care and show you in this wellnessfuerdraussen.de article how you can easily avoid them.
Read on to ensure your barrel sauna stays in top shape and you can enjoy relaxing moments outdoors at any time.
At a glance:
Why is proper barrel sauna care so important?
Barrel sauna care mistake #1: the wrong surface
Barrel sauna care mistake #2: Not treating the wood outside
Barrel sauna care mistake #3: missing drip edges
Barrel sauna care mistake #4: not ventilating
Barrel sauna care mistake #5: Not cleaning the sauna inside
Barrel sauna care mistake #6: Not maintaining the oven
Barrel Sauna Care Recommendations
Why is proper barrel sauna care so important?
When it comes to your barrel sauna in the garden, two factors come together that mercilessly punish incorrect care of the barrel sauna and reward correct care of the barrel sauna.
The first factor is the wood.
Wood is a living material.
Wood expands when it gets warm and contracts when it gets cold.
Wood cracks when it gets too dry and stays supple when it is oiled.
In your barrel sauna, the wood is exposed to the weather both from the outside (sun, wind, rain) and from the inside due to temperature fluctuations in the barrel sauna.
Without care, the wood can become deformed and cracked.
The second factor is the human being.
We go into the barrel sauna to sweat.
Sweat forms.
The sweat smells. The sweat drips.
It smells of stale sweat.
Without proper care, discoloration and mold can occur in the barrel sauna.
Therefore, proper care of the barrel sauna includes three areas:
#1: Care of the barrel sauna outside
#2: Care of the barrel sauna inside
#3: Care of the barrel sauna oven
And now let’s take a closer look at that.
Barrel sauna care mistake #1: the wrong surface
The wrong surface for the barrel sauna is a fundamental mistake.
If the barrel sauna is placed directly on the lawn or the ground, the moisture or even the wetness from the ground penetrates into the planks of the barrel sauna.
There is then no protective layer to protect the barrel sauna from moisture from below.
And since the planks under the barrel sauna are exposed to moisture without protection, the moisture penetrates the planks unhindered.
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
Create a stable and water-repellent base for your barrel sauna. This can be a bed of gravel or two or more strip foundations perpendicular to the direction of the barrel sauna.
Place sturdy planks on the gravel bed or strip foundations to support the weight of the barrel sauna and ensure a gap between the ground and the barrel sauna.
This means that no moisture penetrates from below and the air can circulate under the barrel sauna.
And remember to keep the distance from your neighbors and find out about the barrel sauna permit .
Let’s move on to mistake #2 in barrel sauna care.
Barrel sauna care mistake #2: Not treating the wood outside
A big mistake when caring for a barrel sauna is not treating the wood on the outside.
To impregnate it.
Again and again.
Barrel saunas can be made from different types of wood.
Nordic spruce and thermowood are very popular.
Thermowood has the advantage that it has a basic impregnation due to the thermal treatment.
But all wood must be regularly impregnated against penetrating moisture.
When it rains, moisture forms on the outside wall of the barrel sauna.
Here and there the water cannot drain off immediately.
With untreated wood, capillary forces draw the water through the joints between the planks into the interior of the barrel sauna.
There, the moisture in the planks decomposes the fabric and the planks of the barrel sauna become rotten.
Not only does this look unsightly, it will also destroy your barrel sauna.
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
Impregnate the outside planks of your barrel sauna once a year.
A popular product is the HK-Lasur 3in1 from Remmers . It is suitable for exterior wood, without contact with the ground, as a base, intermediate and final coat.
3in1 means impregnation, primer and glaze.
The Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1 not only offers impregnation, but also a primer and wood protection against moisture and UV radiation.
Thanks to the impregnation effect, the wood is protected from moisture and saturation of the material is prevented.
At the same time, the vapor-permeable protective film allows moisture to escape, which reduces the risk of damage caused by moisture.
The hydrophobic effect ensures that wet surfaces dry quickly.
By protecting against the effects of the weather, the risk of blue stain and rot is minimized.
Another advantage of the HK-Lasur 3in1 is its increased solid content, which offers physical security against wasp damage.
In addition, the glaze protects the paint from mold and algae, which makes long-term maintenance easier.
A particular advantage is that the glaze can be re-treated without re-sanding, which saves time and effort.
With the Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1 you can optimally protect your barrel sauna and enjoy it for a long time.
This also applies to other wooden facilities in the garden, such as a hot tub with an oven .
Now it’s about the construction of the barrel sauna:
Barrel sauna care mistake #3: missing drip edges
Missing drip edges are one of the cardinal errors in the construction of the barrel sauna.
If they are missing, the water will remain on the outside of the barrel sauna for an excessively long time after rain and the planks will not be able to dry quickly.
If wood remains wet, it has a negative impact on its structure and durability.
Moisture can penetrate the wood and lead to the formation of mold and fungus. These can decompose the wood and affect its strength.
In addition, the wood can swell and change shape, which can lead to cracks and deformation.
In the long term, moisture can cause the wood to rot and lose stability.
This is what the drip edge of a good barrel sauna should look like:
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
Add drip edges to the sides of the barrel sauna later.
You can use an angle profile as a drip edge.
You attach the angle profiles overlapping. You screw the angle profiles onto the side, at the end of the roof protected with shingles.
Now add roof shingles so that the water is directed onto the angle profile as a drip edge.
#4 is actually self-evident:
Barrel sauna care mistake #4: not ventilating
Whether you have a barrel sauna with a wood-burning stove or a barrel sauna with an electric stove , a common mistake that many barrel sauna owners make is not ventilating sufficiently after using the sauna.
Proper ventilation of the sauna is crucial to avoid moisture and mold growth.
After the sauna session, the air in the sauna is moist and warm.
If you simply close the door after using the sauna, the warm, humid air cannot escape and settles in the sauna.
This promotes the formation of mold, which not only smells unpleasant but can also be harmful to health.
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
To avoid this, you should ensure adequate ventilation after using the sauna.
Open the doors and, if available, the windows of the sauna to let the warm, humid air escape.
Make sure that the ventilation slots are also open.
If possible, let the sauna air out for some time before entering it again.
This way you can ensure that the humidity decreases and the sauna stays dry.
By regularly ventilating, you can help ensure that your barrel sauna lasts longer and you can enjoy your sauna sessions without the risk of mold forming.
Reading tip:
Going to the sauna with a cold? Healing or dangerous?
Barrel sauna care mistake #5: Not cleaning the sauna inside
Regular maintenance of your barrel sauna's sauna room is crucial to extend its lifespan and always ensure a hygienic sauna experience.
An important part of maintenance is cleaning the interior.
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
After each sauna session, you should immediately remove any surface dirt.
First let the barrel sauna cool down and then vacuum the floor and the loungers thoroughly.
It is best to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to avoid scratches on the wood.
You can then wipe the interior with a damp, but not wet, cloth. A microfiber cloth is particularly suitable for this as it effectively absorbs dirt particles.
Be careful not to use harsh cleaning agents as these can damage the wood.
Such a basic cleaning should be carried out once a week to ensure optimal cleanliness and a feel-good atmosphere in your barrel sauna.
Another important step in wood care is to thoroughly clean the inside of the sauna to remove sweat stains and wood discoloration.
To achieve this, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the barrel sauna once a year.
For this purpose, you can use special sauna cleaners that are commercially available, such as the “ Lahti Sauna Care Set ”.
These cleaners are specially tailored to the needs of sauna wood and ensure gentle but effective cleaning.
Please follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the sauna cleaner. It is generally recommended to apply the cleaner to the wood and spread it with a soft cloth or brush.
Then let the cleaner work for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
By cleaning and maintaining it regularly, you can ensure that your barrel sauna always looks clean and attractive inside and that you will enjoy it for a long time.
I still have one error:
Barrel sauna care mistake #6: Not maintaining the oven
A neglected sauna heater can lead to numerous problems and significantly shorten the lifespan of the device.
One of the most common consequences of poor maintenance is reduced heating performance.
Deposits such as soot and ash can accumulate inside the oven and impair heat transfer.
This leads to longer heating times and an insufficient temperature inside the sauna.
How to avoid this mistake when caring for your barrel sauna:
Regular maintenance of your sauna heater is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
If you use a wood stove, it is important to regularly remove the ashes from the stove. To do this, wait until the stove has cooled down and use an ash shovel to carefully remove the ashes. Make sure there are no embers left before disposing of the ashes.
Also clean the oven windows, as they can become dirty with soot particles. It is best to use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the windows thoroughly.
For the outside of the oven, it is usually sufficient to wipe it with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.
An electric oven is a little easier to maintain. It is usually sufficient to wipe the outside regularly with a cloth to remove dust and dirt.
However, make sure that the oven has cooled down before cleaning and that you do not make the cloth too wet to avoid damaging the appliance.
With regular care, your sauna stove will remain in optimal condition and you can enjoy the relaxing sauna experience without any problems.
Barrel Sauna Care Recommendations
In order to enjoy your barrel sauna for as long as possible, I recommend that you take the following measures to maintain your barrel sauna:
Once a year:
- Varnish the outside of the barrel sauna wood for impregnation, e.g. with the Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1
- Basic cleaning of the interior against sweat stains and wood discoloration with a sauna cleaner
After each sauna session:
- ventilating the barrel sauna
- Remove surface dirt inside
- Emptying the ashes from the oven
We hope that this article has given you helpful tips and recommendations for the proper care of your barrel sauna.
Care is crucial for the longevity and maintenance of the quality of your sauna.
Remember to clean, inspect and maintain regularly to detect and repair potential damage early.
Invest time and care in maintaining your sauna to ensure optimal use and relaxation outdoors.
We wish you many relaxing and restful hours in your barrel sauna!