Because Wikipedia is giving excellent info concerning Sauna, I am not starting to repeat it. My photos show to You two Saunas. First 17 photos are showing a mobile Sauna or Sauna on wheels. The rest 19 photos show our Sauna in our home house.
I only tell how we are taking our Sauna baths or “how to use Sauna”. Other people do it in their ways. Also I am giving some general info. Photos of that Sauna on wheels are showing the versatility of Saunas which is limited only by one’s imagination.
When we normally go take a Sauna bath?:
On Saturdays.
At what time?:
I start to warm our wood heated Sauna at four o’clock in the afternoon. It is ready for use in 40 minutes. Then I pick up a bucket of water and I put two bench covers on upper seats. To heat our Sauna I use birch wood.
What is the ideal temperature?
We like 75° Celsius / 167º Fahrenheit.
How to Sauna bath:
First we undress us in our fireplace room. After that we are having a shower in washroom of Sauna. Then to the Sauna and we sit on upper seat. I start to throw one “ladle” of water on hot stones. The water evaporates and start to warm nicely. Then we enjoy the warm starting to sweat and after a moment I throw again water on stones. Doing this way few times, it is time to go to shower again, but before it I add some wood to stove. After shower we go out wrapped in towels to cool us. No matter whatever the weather outside temperature is, we go out! That means that during the most cold winter weather too. When we are cooled us, we go back to Sauna. Next time we wash us thoroughly under showers, we have them two in use. Then again out and back to Sauna. Finally after it we take showers again and we cool off now on the bench of washroom and drying ourselves. All this took from 1 hour 15 minutes, less or more, depending how cold it is outside.
Finally we “oil” us with some good lotion. After that we are relaxing and enjoying some nice drinks, like beers or some cocktail. If it summer we sit on our terrace, enjoy Saturday afternoon sunshine, listening to the birds’ song and looking at how wagtails are strutting in our small garden. Next night we sleep well, relaxed.
Did I forget something?
Yes, to drink water is important when having Sauna bath. We take always one bottle of water with us to Sauna and take small swigs from time to time. I say that this is a must.
After bathing I open window in Sauna and in shower room that the humidity goes out. When all the fire wood has burnt, I close the plate of stove in a sauna.
What is required to build a good Sauna?
Most important thing is ventilation, not forgetting the fire safety. In our Sauna the intake of fresh air is on the floor level nearby the stove. The way out for air is nearby the Sauna’s window ceiling.
Our Sauna is small, modest and it was built in 1993. Its model is heat storage stove warmed by wood. Seats are from apache wood and walls from pine. The only reparation we have had to make during these years is a new stove with new stones two years ago. My wife is washing it twice a year thoroughly.
Fact and theses:
There are more than 3 millions Saunas in Finland and the number of population is about 5.3 millions. Lot of Saunas? There are many kind of Saunas, but mainly there are two kinds of Saunas: one which is warmed by electricity and other type which is warmed by wood as we have and it is better than heated by electricity . Saunas heated by wood give “smooth” warm. Saunas can be found in swimming halls, hotels, on every vacation cottages, spas etc. Yet in Helsinki there are few general Saunas. If somebody wants an unforgettable experience, when visiting in Helsinki, then is just for them! Nowadays every new town apartments in cities are equipped with Sauna. Everyone is claiming in Finland that they have the best Sauna, well, so we have too – the best Sauna in the world. LOL.
On summer cottages people are grilling sausages after visiting in Saunas. The famous Sauna sausage is called “Saunalenkki” meaning Sauna link. Nearly all of summer cottages are by lakes and it means that people go swimming right the way from Sauna. To get good scent to Sauna some people throw some beer on stones! Well, what do You say from that?
So, now You noticed that there is nothing mystic in Sauna. Nudity is natural among the family. Parents are with small children together and when children are growing they go to Sauna alone. That’s all folks!
I give one link in English which is presenting Saunas in a very excellent way full with facts, how to build, what one needs, with photos, with some videos. It might be the best info about Saunas ever made. From this site You can get better concrete information than from Wikipedia. What is amazing is that the site is not Finnish, but from Wisconsin. Believe me it is great site if You are interested in Sauna:
http://saunaplanning.com/?202000001
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
Mobile Sauna at Hyvinkää
This is on our door of Sauna
View when entering to sauna. Two showers at the rear. Sauna is at left.
Sauna seen thru the door of shower room
Inside of sauna seen from shower room
Inside of sauna seen from shower room
Inside the sauna
Inside the sauna
Ladle to throw water on stones
Stove
Fire in stove
Stove
Stones of stove
Stones of stove
View from the sauna to shower room
Thermometer
Plate of stove in our sauna
My shower
My wife's shower
Way to terrace thru utility room
Our terrace where we are cooling us. Photo from 2004. At background You can see the door leading to Sauna.
Travels in Finland and abroad 
Thank you for the interesting information about saunas. Your pictures are very good. I have not had the opportunity to take a sauna, but I think I would enjoy the opportunity to do so. The sauna in your house looks very nice.
Comment by seniorhiker — April 22, 2011 @ 16:17 |
Hi George.
Thank You visiting and commenting my site and having a lesson about how we act when we are having our Sauna bath. 🙂
Happy Easter!
Comment by sartenada — April 22, 2011 @ 16:20 |
Wonderful healthy tradition ! Ca me rappelle des souvenirs de Russie où la sauna est populaire aussi, les bains dans l´eau glaciale de la riviére, le thé dans le samovar entre deux sessions, le parfum des branches de bouleau… Magnifiques images, bonnes informations et une envie de sauna !
Comment by isathreadsoflife — April 22, 2011 @ 20:54 |
Bonjour Isa.
Je me rejouis de ton commentaire, merci beaucoup. Il est vrai que dans la Russie Sauna est connu très bien. Quelques personnes ici aussi vont á nager dans un lac en hiver parmi les glaces, mais pas nous!
Joyeuses Pâques!
Comment by sartenada — April 23, 2011 @ 13:35 |
I really like these sauanas, such detail is put into them
Comment by Evangeline Art Photography — April 22, 2011 @ 23:01 |
Hi Evangeline Art Photography.
That was really nice to read Your comment. Thank You!
Happy Easter!
Comment by sartenada — April 23, 2011 @ 13:22 |
Un sauna roulant, je n’avais encore jamais vu ça! Trop cool! De cette façon, tout le monde peux en profiter, même en région éloignée. J’ai déjà essayé le sauna et j’ai bien aimé. On alternait entre le chaleur ultra suffocante (hihi) et une saucette dans le lac (youpi), c’était vraiment revigorant.
Comment by annejutras — April 23, 2011 @ 03:03 |
Salut Anne.
Wow, c’était intéressant de lire que tu as été dans le sauna. Nous aimons notre Sauna aujourd’hui après quelques heures. Aujourd’hui, il est assez chaud que nous pouvons boire une bière après le sauna!
Joyeuses Pâques!
Comment by sartenada — April 23, 2011 @ 13:28 |
I found this very interesting, and your photos are excellent, as always! I have never had an opportunity to use a sauna. I think it would be a very good tradition, but it has not taken hold much in this country. There are saunas here, but not very many.
I love wood and so I find the structures very beautiful, fascinating! I really enjoyed your post and photos!
Comment by montucky — April 23, 2011 @ 05:26 |
Hello Montucky.
Thank You. How glad to read that You liked my post and our tradition. Maybe You have some day possibility to visit in Sauna and enjoy Yourself its warm. Now You know the techniques and so it is easy to use.
Happy Easter.
Comment by sartenada — April 23, 2011 @ 13:39 |
Sauna on wheels…wow!! how fantastic, real hot rods..Sean
Comment by Sean Fraser — April 24, 2011 @ 05:18 |
Hello Sean.
Thank You. This family told to me that they go to some lake and take their Sauna with them. Then swimming and own Sauna, that’s great idea. To have a mobile Sauna is not here unique. I have seen photos from many kind of Saunas on wheels, but this was my first photo. There are small Saunas which can be pulled on a small trailer by family cars. I hope that this summer I’ll meet some special.
Happy Easter.
Comment by sartenada — April 24, 2011 @ 07:39 |
Gorgeous ! I’m sure they will enjoy it… Great series again ! Happy Easter to you and yours 🙂
Comment by Tamara — April 25, 2011 @ 12:53 |
Hi Tamara.
Thank You commenting and giving Your time on my site. I am glad that my Sauna post pleased to You.
Happy Easter to You too.
Comment by sartenada — April 25, 2011 @ 12:57 |
What an education! I went into a sauna once at a hotel in Scotland, but I had not read your Blog, so could not really understand the point of getting hot and sweaty. I did get hot and then went for a swim, but I obviously didn’t go through the proper sequence to make myself feel good and relaxed. The fact that you do this weekly impresses me. Next time I see a sauna, I will take it more seriously and try the experience. Thank you for teaching me about this unique tradition.
Comment by jackiequeen — April 25, 2011 @ 15:00 |
Hello Jackie.
Oh, thank You. It was so nice to read Your comment. Now I see that to tell thoroughly our way visiting in Sauna was correct. I was sure that there are not so many people who know the “best” way visit in Saunas abroad.
Sauna really is relaxing if the warm is not too hot, there is enough humidity, if one is cooling and drinking water enough. If some of these points are missing like humidity, then one can later get slight headache, that is possible. During hard winter I have warmed our Sauna up to 90 ºC / 194 ºF. There is no problem to endure this warmth, but then there is missing one important element and that is humidity! When this happens we have the door open to shower room and then the air is more humid and we can enjoy us Sauna bathing. The top temperature I have been in Sauna was 110 ºC = 230 ºF. It felt really unpleasant, that I can say.
Summer time many Finns are taking Sauna baths every day when they are spending leisure time on their vacation cottages. We are not “passionate” Sauna visitors and that is why once a week is enough to us normally. When on vacation, then every second day is enough to us. I want to remind that this just what I told is Our habit. Other people might do it in other way.
One might ask in his mind that is Sauna safe. I think that it is. My mother is 92 years old and my father-in-law is 93 years old and they have been visiting in Sauna since their birth.
Thank You for Your interest to my post!
Comment by sartenada — April 25, 2011 @ 17:34 |
My husband is always saying we should build a sauna. He was able to use one several times when he was younger and says it is very refreshing. I will have to give him the link you recommended. I like all the wood walls and seats and find the stove with the basin for the rocks on top very interesting.
Comment by kateri — April 26, 2011 @ 04:24 |
Hi Kateri.
Thank You so much Kateri. If Your husband’s idea is concretizing some day, then You have possibility to tell about it in Your blog. That would be nice to follow.
There are different kinds of rocks to be used in the stove. That was why I showed many photos of those rocks, because they are the same one which one could take direct from the nature. Our rocks lasted as long as we changed the stove, which lasted about 16 years.
The fact is that during many years their capacity to hold warm is decreasing and will be crushed slowly, really slowly into small pieces. Stones are important part of Sauna, because they are just the things which transfer the water casted on them into vapor and the vapor is just the thing that gives pleasant feeling and assists sweating. To sweat it is important. This kind of sweating is not the same as one gets for example when in hot sunshine. This I can say with good experience when we were in Las Vegas the temperature was 44 ºC / 111.2 ºF, but the air was dry not filled with vapor.
After Sauna bath one is really “clean”. No shower or bath can compete with it. That You will notice soon if You’ll have Sauna.
Comment by sartenada — April 26, 2011 @ 06:57 |
In Japan, people spend a lot of time taking bath.
I think people in Finland also enjoy bath.
Another people I know that enjoy bath a lot is probably Turkish!
Three different nations, three very different methods.
Comment by London Caller — April 26, 2011 @ 04:42 |
Hello London Caller.
Thank You commenting. You are so right, that I have to confess it. In some of our swimming halls we have two kinds of Saunas, one typical Finnish Sauna and the other Turkish style with heavy steam. Well, I have been in both of them and the warmth of Turkish style steam bath is like the cow’s breath. Excuse my metaphor, but so I felt it.
What comes to baths the situation has been changed during decades and now I am not talking about Spas, but real bathtubs in homes. Let us say that about 50-60 years ago baths in homes were popular. Then arrived showers and nowadays Saunas. Nowadays nearly all new apartments have their own Sauna. We have also in our home a Jacuzzi for one person, well with good will for two, with output of seven air bubbles and with lights in the water. We use it now and then, but not so often as our Sauna.
Comment by sartenada — April 26, 2011 @ 07:24 |
My first time to see mobile sauna, very interesting…however, we do have the same kind or method of sauna here in hotels, spas, and also mostly near swimming pool for relaxation at condominium, etc..it’s great you have your very own sauna — enjoyable at home! Great wonderful photos of the saunas I like it. Thanks for sharing it..
Comment by Anne — April 30, 2011 @ 17:27 |
Hi Anne.
Thank You commenting and telling that Sauna is not unknown in Your country. I am really glad when now knowing it.
Have wonderful day!
Comment by sartenada — May 1, 2011 @ 09:09 |
I love using a sauna – but very few houses in Denmark have one (including mine!). So I sometimes go in sauna visiting public swimming pools. But if we continue having winters like the last two in Denmark – we must consider having saunas in all our houses too!
Or using mobile ones like the one in your post… (do you need this when everybody in Finland have their own at home???!)
I would like to have that nice old tractor too 😉
Comment by truels — May 11, 2011 @ 01:10 |
Hello Truels.
Thank You. Of course we do not need all these Saunas really, but people wants to show to others that they… In addition to that Sauna is “holy thing”. If one wants insult other person, the he say that Your Sauna is really poor. You might to build a smaller Sauna on wheels which is pulled by Your car. 🙂 What becomes to that old tractor, then some day I’ll make posts of them. I have plenty of photos from Massey Ferguson gathering and Fordson gathering.
Happy Wednesday!
Comment by sartenada — May 11, 2011 @ 11:23 |
I’m sending this link to my friend Terhi who lives in a small village south-east of Rome. She is Finnish, and will surely love this!
Comment by ytaba36 — June 13, 2011 @ 12:36 |
Hi Yvonne.
Well, I hope she loves it. Ours is very modest when thinking general standard of Saunas in Finland.
Happy. Monday!
Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 12:56 |
WOW! It’s beautiful sauna, gorgeous, and luxury. . .very helpful information, and your house is beautiful in the winter scene. We didn’t have internet service in the summer at our cabin (very remote area) in Michigan. Sorry I didn’t see your Sauna Blog), but we had sauna everyday. This summer we saw the most interesting movie from Finland (Steam of Life-all about sauna). Thank you for posting this womderful Blog. Have a good week.
Comment by Nopham — November 7, 2011 @ 02:26 |
Hi Nopham.
Sorry being so late to reply to Your nice comment. We were on short holiday in Egypt making a cruise on river Nile and visiting some historical sites.
I am so glad that You have Sauna and that You are taking Sauna baths every day!!! In my post and comments I tried to explain how I and my wife are using Sauna and to present photos from a very typical Sauna in Finland, not a luxury Sauna.
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by sartenada — November 15, 2011 @ 18:03 |
Oh yeah, dig it.
Comment by Scott Sandwich — August 23, 2012 @ 13:04 |
That’s nice.
Comment by Sartenada — August 23, 2012 @ 13:44 |
It’s very interesting to know that. It’s convenient and useful when you want to take a sauna.
Comment by cocomino — September 17, 2012 @ 20:48 |
Hi Cocomino.
I am glad that You did read my introduction of Sauna. Sauna is awesome experience every time. When cold winter comes, them one yearns it.
Happy Wednesday!
Comment by Sartenada — September 19, 2012 @ 06:33 |
These are wonderful photos. Love the sauna on wheels!
Comment by Sue Slaght — July 8, 2014 @ 15:01 |
Hi Sue.
Thank You for Your kind words. I love also Sauna on wheel, because its idea is great. Now You know how to act when in Sauna, if You never had visited it.
Have a great day.
Comment by Sartenada — July 9, 2014 @ 07:10 |
Great idea to re-publish this 2011 post….
I had missed it ,so I’m enjoying now what it’s quite unusual in my country.
Thanks for the photos and all the details , most of people ignore (in my latitude , at least)
A big hug !
Comment by 76sanfermo — July 9, 2014 @ 08:28 |
Chiao Anna.
Thank You. Very few people know what Sauna is really and how to “use” it. We have here in Mikkeli own Sauna although we live in an apartment house by the lake. Every Saturday we enjoy it. It is very general in Finland. We have been in Sauna even in Brazil!!!
Have a great day. Un forte abrazo.
Comment by Sartenada — July 9, 2014 @ 10:21 |
Very nice!!! I think a sauna in winter would be wonderful. Nice to see how the average Finn uses a sauna 🙂
Comment by laurenwinslowllewellyn — August 13, 2014 @ 16:30 |
Hello Lauren and Craig.
I appreciate Your comment very much, because I know You have been in Sauna.
BTW, if You have not visited in Brazil, then quite near to Rio de Janeiro in the very beautiful town called Penedo, there You could visit also Finnish Sauna again. Think what an experience in the tropics. On Saturdays, You could dance Finnish dances on the Club of Penedo.
Have a great journey in Finland and other countries.
Comment by Sartenada — August 14, 2014 @ 07:01 |
You have a beautiful house, I love your sauna, especially the ladle.
Comment by Tokeloshe — December 10, 2014 @ 00:38 |
Hi Linda.
Thank You. Actually we are not living in that any more. It was two years when we sold it and moved to a small town called Mikkeli. Mikkeli is on the Lakeland area with good possibilities for outdoors activities. Our balcony is about twenty meters from the frontline of Lake Saimaa. Next year I’ll show beautiful pictures about our area and the blue lake. Here is our winter fun with two photos from our apartment building; I am not sure if You have seen it:
Walking on frozen lake.
Have a great day!
Comment by Sartenada — December 10, 2014 @ 08:18 |
More and more the Germans use sauna. It’s so relaxing. I like the dry finish sauna, other like the roman.
Have a nice Sunday,
Ulli
Comment by ulli — May 17, 2015 @ 10:05 |
Hello Ulli.
How nice comment You wrote here. Thank You. It was new to me that the amount of Saunas are increasing in Germany. Relaxing is the right word indeed. Some Finns have “habit” to take too hot Sauna bath. That is why I wrote my instructions here how to use.
This Sauna was in our previous house on countryside. Now we live in a small town called Mikkeli by the Lake Saimaa and we have in our apartment own Sauna also, but electric one. In winter we go to cool us on our balcony. After cooling againto Sauna.
Happy Sunday! Matti.
Comment by Sartenada — May 17, 2015 @ 10:57 |
Hello Matti,
electric sauna sounds interesting, perhaps with solar energy?
On a trip to Netherlands we had an appartemant with an infrared sauna. We enjoyed it very much.
Greetings,
Ulli
Comment by ulli — May 18, 2015 @ 10:41 |
Hi Ulli.
I have never been in infrared Sauna; sounds interesting. The heater of our Sauna consumes 6 kW in an hours and when we use it the total amount is between 8 kW and 9 kW. I have to give the link to my old post that You understand our home. Two first photos show our house.
Walking on frozen lake.
Have a nice day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2015 @ 11:10 |
It sounds so relaxing.
Comment by the eternal traveller — April 1, 2016 @ 12:17 |
Yes, it is Carol. Someday You must experience it. Cool water,and then to Sauna it is fantastic. Matti.
Comment by Sartenada — April 1, 2016 @ 12:38 |
Your photos really show the entire sauna experience! Good information of saunas 🙂
Comment by Neidotta — May 6, 2016 @ 11:10 |
Hello Neidotta.
Thank You for Your kind words. Combining Your and mine posts, everyone knows a lot of sauna. 🙂
Have a great day!
Comment by Sartenada — May 6, 2016 @ 12:09 |
What a fun sauna on wheels! Great info too. Right now saunas are very trendy in Helsinki – the new one I hope to visit is on the island Lonna 🙂
Comment by Suvi — May 17, 2017 @ 22:34 |
Hello Suvi.
Thank You. I am glad that You loved my post. Finns are very innovative and this example confirms it. 🙂
Happy upcoming weekend.
Comment by Sartenada — May 18, 2017 @ 10:32 |
Great post!
Comment by The Snow Melts Somewhere — May 20, 2017 @ 19:13 |
Hello The Snow Melts Somewhere.
Thank You.
I wish to You sunny Sunday!
Comment by Sartenada — May 21, 2017 @ 07:27 |
Woooo!! Very Interesting!!
Sauna is On the Car!! It looks Fun and Awesome!! 😀
It’s Finns’s creativity and originality!! Excellent! Thank you very much:D
2nd pic is You? 初めまして～ from Japan !! 😀
Comment by Nasuko — February 20, 2019 @ 09:36 |
Hello Nasuko.
Thank You for Your praising comment. No, I am not all in this post. 🙂
Have a good day!
Comment by Sartenada — February 20, 2019 @ 09:52 |
Very interesting Matti. You refreshed my mind on how nice it was as part of our busy trip – we were in Finland for 28 hours and packed a lot into the itinerary for your country. I did not know about the inner workings of the sauna, so I learned something here. We did have white fluffy towels that we wore to enter and partake in the experience. I traveled alone on this trip, but there was another single woman traveling in the group, so we kind of hung around together and did the sauna visit together. How exciting to then walk out into the brisk air and even with the snow.
Comment by Linda Schaub — September 14, 2020 @ 03:19 |
Hello Linda.
Thank you filling your memories here. It was interesting read. Sauna is every time an experiment for us – every time.
Happy new week!
Comment by Sartenada — September 14, 2020 @ 06:36 |
It sounds very relaxing and a fulfilling experience; I still think we should institute saunas here.
Comment by Linda Schaub — September 15, 2020 @ 01:25 |
Well, why not! 🙂
Comment by Sartenada — September 15, 2020 @ 06:35 |