A sauna is a natural space - wooden surfaces, high heat, and changing humidity all place special demands on how it’s cleaned. Linseed oil soap is a traditional choice for sauna care in the Nordics, because it cleans gently while supporting the wood, rather than stripping or drying it out.

Made from natural linseed oil, the soap contains fatty acids that help nourish porous wood surfaces. When used regularly, it helps keep benches and walls clean while maintaining the wood’s resilience and ability to breathe. It removes sweat, oils, and residue effectively without leaving synthetic films that can react with heat.

Another advantage is simplicity: no added fragrance, no harsh detergents, and nothing that will smell “off” once the sauna gets hot. Just a mild, natural soap that works well with the material the sauna is built from.

Make the soap solution

• Mix with lukewarm water:
• First treatment: 1 part linseedoil soap to 10 parts water.
• Regular cleaning: later, 1 tablespoon in half a bucket of water

For everyday cleaning, dilute the soap in warm water, clean the surfaces, and let the sauna dry properly with the door open. Gentle care- so your sauna stays fresh, clean, and comfortable for years.

In many Swedish and Finnish families, Christmas begins with a session in the sauna. Some people take their Christmas sauna the night before Christmas Eve, while others - like myself - prefer starting Christmas Eve with a warm session.

When we lived in Helsinki, our tradition was to visit our neighborhood sauna, Kulttuurisauna in Kallio, close to Kruununhaka where we lived. After the sauna, we’d enjoy our Christmas porridge in our linen towels - one of my favorite memories.

Once a year, usually just before Christmas, we give our own sauna a thorough cleaning. I wet the benches first, then pour a dash of linseed oil soap concentrate onto each plank and scrub everything with a wooden brush. It’s a simple routine, but one I truly love.

Even though essential oils are natural, their scent still adds an aromatic layer to the air and surfaces. In a sauna, heat dramatically intensifies smells. This means that even mild, natural essential oils can feel stronger than intended once the sauna warms up.

An unscented linseed-oil soap avoids this completely. It keeps the wood clean without adding extra fragrance that might compete with the natural scent of warm wood - or feel overwhelming in high temperatures.

Essential oils also evaporate more quickly in heat, so the scent may disappear fast anyway, while still having been “too much” in the moment. Because of that, many traditional sauna builders and caretakers prefer a fragrance-free soap for regular cleaning: it keeps the surface clean, nourishes the wood, and preserves the authentic sauna atmosphere.