
What is Sauna Etiquette? A Beginner’s Guide to Best Practices
Saunas have been around for thousands of years and are deeply respected in the cultures that created them. It is natural to expect there is specific sauna etiquette that has also evolved. Especially if you are a first-time sauna user, it can be nerve-wracking to step into a sauna, fearing that you’re already doing something that sauna pros may look down on. However, before getting too worried, understand that most people who use saunas are calm and friendly. Many who sauna regularly are often happy to share their sauna best practices with you!
Nonetheless, there are some key sauna rules that all first-time sauna-goers ought to know ahead of time. Following these guidelines ensures both your safety and the comfort of other sauna users, whether you are in a public sauna or a more private setting.
5 Sauna Etiquette Rules and Guidelines for a Respectful Visit
The foundation of proper sauna etiquette lies in knowing the most common rules and best sauna practices for an enjoyable sauna session. Whether you are using a sauna in a spa or comparing the experience of a sauna vs hot tubs, it’s important to follow basic etiquette for a smooth and relaxing visit.
Take a Shower Before Getting Into the Sauna

While many clubs and spas have this rule printed for all to see, if you are using a private sauna, it’s essential to remember: always take a shower before entering. This is a key part of maintaining public sauna etiquette. Keeping the sauna clean is crucial, especially because the hot air in the sauna spreads germs quickly. Even germs that are harmless to you could pose a problem in the high-heat environment of the sauna.
If you plan to exercise before your sauna session, which is a great way to enhance your wellness routine, it’s even more important to shower. Skipping this step is not only unsanitary but could leave the sauna smelling unpleasant for other users. A proper sauna shower should focus on scrubbing areas likely to contact surfaces in the sauna, particularly your legs and behind. If you plan to wear a bathing suit in the sauna (and it’s allowed by the sauna owner), be sure to shower without the swimsuit first and wash the suit separately to ensure cleanliness.
Be Mindful of the Doors
One of the biggest giveaways that someone is new to sauna etiquette or doesn’t understand best sauna practices is leaving the door open for longer than necessary. Saunas are enclosed heat spaces, and even a few seconds of the door being open can significantly drop the temperature. If you’re using a public sauna, this could disrupt the experience for others who are already enjoying their sauna session. To avoid that awkward moment where people shout “close the door!” in frustration, remember to keep the door open only for one or two seconds.
Do Not Bring Your Phone Into the Sauna

This rule has different schools of thought among sauna users, but in general, most people believe that phones disrupt the meditative and peaceful environment of the sauna. Much like a silent meditation retreat, a sauna is a place for relaxation, not distractions. Some spas, especially in North America and Western Europe, allow phones in saunas, but only in phone-safe bags provided by the facility. Even with waterproof phones, the heat inside the sauna could damage them, so it’s best to leave your phone outside or ask the staff for their policy.
Using your phone to text or, worse, to take a call is likely to annoy others. In the end, phones don’t add anything to the sauna experience, so it’s best to avoid bringing them in. If you’re expecting an important call, consider postponing your sauna session rather than risking a breach in sauna etiquette.
Be Mindful of Food and Drink Rules in the Sauna
Saunas can quickly lead to dehydration if you are not careful. As long as you are respectful about it, there isn’t a sauna etiquette issue with bringing your own bottle of water into a sauna. If anything, more people ought to bring their own water into the sauna. The only problem with bringing your own bottle of water into the sauna is that your bottle is certainly going to get quite warm over time.
Also, be careful when using thin plastic water bottles in the sauna as some hotter saunas may affect the plastic and let it seep into your water. You may notice that almost all sauna buckets are made of wood for this reason. Try to use a metal water bottle if you can. Or, set up a pitcher of water outside the sauna, which can stay cool while you heat up.
Proper Sauna Etiquette for Drinking Alcohol
When people say drink, they often aren’t just talking about water. Alcohol and saunas have a long history in Finland, but first-time sauna-goers ought to know that drinking alcohol in saunas can actually be quite dangerous. Alcohol speeds up dehydration and slows our motor skills. An intoxicated person is much more likely to slip in the sauna or burn themselves on the wood stove than a sober person.
But when it comes to the etiquette of drinking alcohol in the sauna, it is usually only OK when the alcohol is shared among all of the people in the sauna and mutually accepted by them as well. Bringing your own personal bottle of alcohol into a sauna of strangers is rude and certainly a breach of sauna etiquette. Note that this does not mean that you should use the sauna when hungover.
On the same note, never bring your own personal food into a sauna. The only time food is acceptable in the sauna is when people have agreed to share it ahead of time. Many traditional Finnish sauna groups actually use the stove in the sauna to cook up meat. If you want to try cooking over your wood stove, however, be certain to cover it in tin foil. This way, nothing falls into the stove.
If There is a Bucket, Fill It Before You Leave
In traditional wood-burning saunas, a water bucket is often used to splash water on the rocks to create steam, which enhances the sauna experience. Following proper sauna etiquette, if you’re the last person to leave the sauna, it’s a thoughtful gesture to refill the bucket for the next group. This small act, easy to overlook, is an important aspect of sauna vs. hot tubs culture that demonstrates respect for the next users. It’s one of those little details that can make you appear like a seasoned sauna user.
Sauna Etiquette & Rules that are Up to the Sauna Owner
The next collection of sauna rules will always be up to the sauna owner, let that be a single person or the owners of the public sauna you are using. If you are unsure how to move forward on any of these rules in the sauna you’re planning on using, always ask.
Sauna Dress Code

When it comes to sauna etiquette, there are two main schools of thought regarding the dress code. The most traditional sauna users bathe completely nude, following a long-standing Finnish tradition that remains popular in various countries. However, many public saunas and wellness centers require either a towel to cover private areas or swimsuits. To avoid any embarrassment, always check the specific sauna rules of the facility you’re visiting.
In many cases, using the sauna nude is considered the best way to fully enjoy your session, allowing your body to benefit from the heat without clothing trapping bacteria. Swimsuits and other clothing can often be the germiest things brought into the sauna. Post-shower nudity, following proper sauna etiquette, is typically viewed as more hygienic. That said, there are valid reasons why someone may prefer not to use the sauna nude, such as personal comfort or cultural norms. Regardless, it’s crucial to always ask the sauna operator what their sauna dress code is, especially in public saunas.
In North America and Western Europe, many saunas require some form of covering, but there are also several traditional spas that maintain nude usage. For instance, in France, public bathhouses in Paris typically require a towel, while in cities like Strasbourg, nude use is common in sex-separated facilities. Always ensure that you respect the dress code of the sauna you’re using, particularly in sauna wellness retreats or sauna bathing suit facilities.
Sauna Footwear

Footwear is another consideration in sauna etiquette. Typically, the sauna owner will decide what kind of footwear, if any, is acceptable. In most cases, no footwear is preferred, as plastic sandals can become uncomfortable in the heat, and shoes are often less sanitary than other clothing items. In public saunas, it’s common to wear sandals around the facility but leave them by the door before entering the sauna. As with clothing, always check with the owner or staff regarding footwear rules to maintain respect for the sauna environment and its users.
Total Sauna Occupancy
Overcrowding in a sauna can greatly diminish the experience, especially for beginners. Many public saunas post an occupancy limit, but in private settings, it’s essential to practice good sauna etiquette by asking before joining an already crowded space. Some people may feel uncomfortable asking you to leave once you’re inside, so it’s better to be mindful beforehand.
A good strategy is to knock on the door (if there isn’t tempered glass) and inquire if there is room. You should avoid opening the sauna door unless absolutely necessary, as this can disrupt the heat balance. If the sauna is full, don’t be discouraged—waiting a few minutes demonstrates proper sauna etiquette and ensures you’ll likely enjoy your experience in a less crowded space.
Splashing the Sauna Rocks
Splashing the sauna rocks is an unspoken rule, deeply rooted in Finnish tradition. Typically, there’s one person in charge of splashing the rocks on top of the wood stove, ensuring that everyone benefits from the steam without the disruption of multiple people walking to the bucket. If you’re a beginner, you might not be responsible for this task, but it’s important to respect the sauna rules and let others know if you find the heat too intense. Unlike leaving the door open, no one will be upset if you politely ask for more steam.
In public saunas, this rule can be more challenging to enforce, but it’s still part of good sauna etiquette to ask others in the room if they’re comfortable with splashing the rocks. People have different heat tolerances, and while you may feel overwhelmed by the heat, others may prefer the temperature as it is. Always respect the preferences of others, ensuring a pleasant sauna experience for everyone involved.
Are There Different Sauna Etiquette Rules for Steam Rooms?

Fortunately, most sauna etiquette rules also apply to steam rooms. While many people have personal wood-burning saunas, it’s much rarer to have a private steam room. As a result, most steam room users follow the rules set by the club or spa facility. The steam room dress code is almost always identical to sauna dress code. For instance, Turkish Hammam steam rooms tend to be even stricter, requiring patrons to enter either nude or use a Hammam-supplied covering. You’re also far less likely to eat food in a steam room—it turns bad quickly in the humidity.
And as for your phone? Don’t even think about it. Even if you have the best waterproof phone, the screen will fog up faster than you can imagine.
Are There Different Sauna Etiquette Rules for Infrared Saunas?
One key infrared sauna etiquette rule differs from that of traditional saunas or steam rooms. If you’re using a public infrared sauna at a spa, you’ll likely be responsible for disinfecting the bench you used during your session. While specific club and spa rules may vary, it is often up to patrons to clean the bench between users. Much like cleaning exercise machines in a gym, this shows respect for public property and ensures a clean environment for the next user.
Final Thoughts: Sauna Etiquette for Wellness and Relaxation
Luckily, the biggest sauna etiquette rules to consider in the sauna mostly come down to just asking when you don’t know the answer and being respectful of the rules that are clearly stated. Saunas aren’t places for separating those in the know and those out of it; saunas have been community gathering spaces for thousands of years. Once you’ve used the sauna a few times, these rules will feel like second nature, and you’ll quickly find yourself in the place of explaining them to the next sauna beginner. And simply by asking the question as to what proper sauna etiquette is, you’re demonstrating the same inquisitive attitude and tendency toward respect that defines the best sauna users.