Sauna in an apartment building – hot or not?
If any space defines Finnishness, it is the sauna. For many, the sauna is a delightful everyday ritual, while for others, it is a true passion. Traditionally, a wood-burning stove has been the most cherished, yet a significant number of us enjoy sauna sessions in apartment buildings with electric saunas. But is an electric sauna a real sauna at all, and what should apartment residents know about sauna etiquette?
The relaxing and cleansing effects of sauna bathing benefit both the body and the mind. The popularity of both private and shared saunas is growing, but how should a sauna—whether private or communal—be treated, and what are the rules of conduct in a shared apartment building sauna? We spoke with Janne Koskenniemi, Executive Director of the Finnish Sauna Society.
Your own sauna, the best sauna?
In the 1980s and 1990s, a private sauna was a major selling point for apartment homes in Finland, but today, fewer new apartments include them. This is particularly due to the high cost of space in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and shifts in sauna culture.
Approximately one-third of SATO rental homes include a sauna.
Meanwhile, public saunas are being established at an increasing rate in Finland, and housing companies are investing significant space, time, and effort into shared sauna facilities.
“The number of sauna-goers has grown, both in sauna clubs and hobby groups,” says Koskenniemi. “Public saunas are being built outside the HMA region as well, and there is clear demand for them.”
“The sauna crowd has become slightly younger, and sauna bathing is gaining more interest among women as well. Nowadays, people visit public saunas not just with friends but also alone or in pairs to wash away the stress of everyday life—even if they have a private sauna at home,” Koskenniemi explains.
“Cold water immersion, such as winter swimming, is increasingly associated with sauna bathing.”
Sauna culture is also on the rise in Asia and the United States, where there is great interest in Finnish sauna traditions, including barrel saunas. However, other countries still have a long way to go before achieving the everyday luxury of apartment building saunas.
What makes a good sauna?
According to Koskenniemi, the best sauna is wood-heated, but excellent saunas can also be found in shared apartment building facilities and private homes.
Key characteristics of a good sauna
- Proper ventilation
- An appropriately sized sauna stove
- Benches installed at the right height
“It seems that most of the basic structural mistakes in modern saunas have been corrected,” Koskenniemi says approvingly. “In a well-designed sauna, you don’t feel suffocated, as there is enough oxygen, and the air circulates and distributes heat evenly throughout the sauna room.”
If your head feels overheated on the upper bench while your toes are cold on the lower one, residents in rental homes should contact their housing provider. At SATO, this can be done conveniently through OmaSATO.
Too dry a sauna?
If a sauna feels excessively dry, it has likely been heated for too long. This is common in shared saunas, where the stove has been running for a long time before the first user enters. Instead of throwing large amounts of water onto the sauna stove at once, steady and consistent ladling helps restore a comfortable humidity level.
Koskenniemi does not recommend soaking the sauna surfaces: “If you drench the walls or benches completely, they take longer to dry, which can lead to various moisture problems. Overwatering also shortens the lifespan of sauna structures.”
A brief guide to shared sauna etiquette: the sauna is for everyone
What is and isn’t allowed during a reserved sauna session in a shared apartment building sauna? Koskenniemi starts with the basics: “Be mindful and respectful of other sauna users."
"Allow both the person before you and the one after you to fully enjoy their reserved sauna time. This is possible when you stick to your own time slot.”
In SATO buildings, strong fragrances, scented lotions, or products that stain the benches are not allowed in shared saunas. “And this is generally good etiquette in any communal sauna,” Koskenniemi adds. “Using a sauna seat cover is not only hygienic but also extends the lifespan of the benches by preventing direct contact with sweat.”
Good manners also include leaving belongings in their proper places and ensuring the sauna and washing area are at least as clean as when you arrived. Make sure the floor is not left wet and slippery and that the sauna door remains closed.
If you’re enjoying a sauna session with neighbours, such as a weekly 'lenkkisauna', it is polite to ask whether more steam is welcome before throwing water onto the stove. Saunas provide a relaxed setting for getting to know your neighbours, and in many SATO buildings, a communal Christmas sauna is also heated. While socialising in the sauna is enjoyable, it’s equally important to respect those who prefer quiet.
“The sauna is for everyone, and everyone should be considered,” Koskenniemi summarises.
Hydration and peace of mind
“The Finnish Sauna Society was founded in 1937 to study the health benefits of sauna bathing,” Koskenniemi explains. “Although research has declined over the decades, there is evidence suggesting that sauna use benefits circulation and heart health.”
“However, the health effects of sauna bathing are individual, and one’s current health condition should always be taken into account,” Koskenniemi stresses.
Sauna bathing is a positive challenge for the body. It’s good practice to drink a glass or two of water between sessions to compensate for lost fluids. Koskenniemi’s preferred sauna beverage is mineral water, which helps replenish the salts lost through sweating. Alcoholic drinks, however, should be avoided in the sauna.
“For safety, choose plastic bottles for sauna beverages, as they won’t shatter if dropped on the floor.”
For many, the sauna is the ultimate place to unwind. In a private home sauna, sauna time is flexible, though electricity costs should be kept in mind. For a shared sauna reservation, Koskenniemi recommends setting aside the full hour for bathing and relaxation: “A session shorter than 15 minutes won’t truly calm the body or mind. I warmly recommend leaving distractions like mobile phones outside the sauna and changing room.”
Sauna experiences are highly personal: “If you sauna regularly, you will learn what feels best for you at any given moment —whether it’s intense and hot steam or a gentler, more evenly distributed warmth.”
“A thorough cleanse and peaceful relaxation in the sauna’s warmth are beneficial for both the body and the soul,” Koskenniemi concludes.
Checklist for apartment sauna users
- Do not dry anything in the sauna, not even on the benches. Leave the door of a private sauna open after use and dry seat covers and towels in the bathroom.
- Avoid unnecessary heating and use the sauna as soon as it reaches the desired temperature. If you’re familiar with your neighbours and are not using your reserved time, consider offering it to someone else.
- If you use a sauna whisk, clean up any fallen leaves immediately after your session. Dried leaves stuck to surfaces can be difficult to remove, and wet leaves on the floor pose a slipping hazard. Check your building’s rules to see if whisks are allowed in shared saunas.
- Do not use sauna scents in shared saunas.
- After using the sauna, wipe down the bathroom or shower area with a squeegee. Excess moisture increases the risk of mould, decay, and rust damage.
- Leave the shared sauna clean and ensure doors and windows are closed.
- Regularly clean your private sauna. Since it is a place for cleansing, it also requires occasional deep cleaning. Sauna wood surfaces are delicate, so only use cleaning products designed for saunas.
- Check the condition of the sauna stones in your private sauna once a year. In rental homes, replacing them is usually the resident’s responsibility. At the same time, ensure the heating elements are not touching each other.
- Do not bring candles into the sauna.
- Ensure your home’s smoke detectors are correctly placed and functional.
This content has been translated with the help of generative AI. Tämä sisältö on käännetty generatiivisen tekoälyn avulla.