Guide · Using a sauna

How to use a Finnish sauna, and yes, you can throw water

Many American gym saunas have a "no water" sign, so a lot of people have never felt löyly, the wave of steam that is the point of a Finnish sauna. Here is what a good sauna should feel like, how to throw water safely, and the unwritten rules Finns follow.

Can I throw water on my sauna?

Pick the sauna you are in.

What a good sauna should feel like

Heater makers suggest a room temperature of about 65–80 °C (149–176 °F). That is hot, but in a good sauna it should not sting or feel harsh. The heat should be even from head to feet, so your feet are not cold while your face burns; that depends on the bench height and ventilation, covered in what makes a good sauna.

When someone throws water on the stones, you should hear a hiss and, a moment later, feel a soft, warm wave roll down from the ceiling over your shoulders and back. That wave is löyly. It feels hotter than the dry air because moist air carries heat to your skin faster, and it fades after a minute or so. If the steam bites your ears or face, there was too much water at once or the stones were not hot enough.

Dry heat with no löyly is still a sauna, but most Finns would say it is only half of one.

How to throw water on the stones

  1. Wait until the stones are fully hot. Give the heater about 30 minutes after switching on. Water should turn to steam within a few seconds; if it sizzles slowly or drips through, wait longer.
  2. Use a small ladle. Harvia's heater manuals set a maximum ladle size of 0.2 litres (about ¾ cup). Many people use less, around 50–150 ml per throw.
  3. Throw, then wait. Let each ladle's steam reach you before adding more, usually 30–60 seconds. Two or three ladles make a good round.
  4. Aim at the stones, not the heater body, and never throw when someone is sitting right next to the heater; the steam can scald.
  5. Use clean tap water only. No pool, spa or sea water: chlorine and salt corrode the heater and chlorine can form gas. Sauna fragrances are fine if they are made for saunas and diluted in the ladle water.

A typical session

ShowerWash before you go in. Take a towel to sit on.
Heat, 10–15 minSit on the upper bench for more heat, lower for less. Throw löyly as you like.
Cool downA cool shower, a swim, a lake, or snow in winter. Then rest until your pulse settles.
DrinkWater or something cold and non-alcoholic.
RepeatTwo to four rounds is common. Finish with a warm wash and dry off.

Heater manuals advise against staying in for more than 30 minutes at a time. Leave whenever you feel dizzy or unwell.

Etiquette: the unwritten rules

  • Ask before throwing löyly. A quick "Is more löyly OK?" is enough. In Finland the person sitting nearest the bucket usually throws.
  • Do not drive people out. Throwing ladle after ladle to see who leaves first is considered rude, and heater manuals warn against it too.
  • Sit on a towel. It keeps the benches clean, whether you are nude or in a swimsuit.
  • Nude or swimsuit. Finns usually bathe nude in single-sex saunas and wear swimsuits in mixed ones. Follow the local custom; covering up is always fine.
  • Too hot? Move down. Lower benches are cooler. Nobody expects you to stay on the top bench.
  • Keep it calm. Quiet conversation is normal; phones and loud talk are not.
  • No alcohol or smoking in the sauna, and supervise children.

Why American gyms say "no water"

It is usually not because the heater cannot take it. Most heaters with stones are designed for water. Gyms ban it for other reasons:

Gym concernWhat is behind it
LiabilityInexperienced users, steam burns for people next to the heater, and wet, slippery floors.
DamageSome users pour too much water, pour on a cold heater, or pour pool water, oils and other liquids. Water that does not turn to steam can reach the elements, and oil can even start a fire.
MaintenanceStones crack and need re-stacking or replacing more often with heavy use.

In your own sauna you can throw water, as long as the heater manual allows it. Never throw water on an infrared panel or a heater with no stones.

Sources