To deodorize a sauna, start by removing towels and sweeping out debris. Then, wipe down the wood with a mild, chlorine-free cleaner or a mixture of white vinegar and water, rinse with a damp cloth, and run the heater to dry the room completely before leaving the door open to ventilate.
Yes, saunas are a highly effective natural tool for managing high cortisol. While the intense heat initially spikes the stress hormone as your body adapts to thermal stress, regular sessions—specifically infrared or traditional saunas—lead to significantly lower baseline cortisol levels and better long-term stress management.
Ideally, after each use, turn off the sauna, sweep, clean the floor, remove towels and possible bathing suits from the environment. Once a week or every fifteen days, wash the seats with water and neutral soap, sanitize the accessories and clean the walls of the sauna, especially where people are leaning.
Many people with lupus struggle with disease symptoms that can be hard to control. Some have said that using infrared saunas as a complementary therapy with standard medical treatment helps relieve joint pain or other lupus symptoms. However, spending time in a sauna may not be safe or beneficial for everyone.
At operating temperatures of 80°C-100°C (dry saunas), 48°C-60°C (infrared saunas), and 50°C (steam saunas), most bacteria are destroyed or suppressed except for thermophilic bacteria and spore-forming bacteria.
To sanitize a sauna, wipe down all surfaces with a mild soap and water solution, disinfect with equal parts white vinegar and water, and allow it to air-dry completely. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage the wood or emit toxic fumes when heated.
The "rule of 200" is a guideline for maintaining safety and comfort by balancing temperature and humidity. According to the rule of 200, the sum of your sauna temperature and humidity readings shouldn't exceed 200. For example, if your sauna is set to 170°F (76.6°C), the humidity level should be around 30%.
Pain relief and improved circulation: Infrared sauna heat alleviates pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle soreness by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.
Yes, lupus can affect your sense of smell in a few different ways. People with the autoimmune disease often report these distinct changes:
While the use of a sauna is considered safe for most individuals, the exception is for those with unstable heart disease. For individuals with any of the following conditions, it may not be safe: unstable angina pectoris. recent heart attack (within two weeks)
The characteristic "old age smell" is scientifically known as nonenal (or 2-nonenal). It is a chemical compound produced when the skin's natural oils and fatty acids break down and oxidize as we age.
To make your sauna smell good, add 3–5 drops of natural essential oils (like eucalyptus or lavender) to your water bucket, and pour it over the hot rocks. Alternatively, hang a fragrant eucalyptus bunch on the wall or invest in specialized wood cleaners and waxes to eliminate sour sweat odors from the wood.
Baking soda helps neutralize odors, while white vinegar helps break down body oils and some bacteria. It also helps to use a quality detergent designed for odor removal, and don't forget to use the right amount—too little won't cut it, and too much can leave residue.
When cortisol (the primary stress hormone) remains elevated for too long, it impacts your metabolism, blood pressure, and immune system. Here are 10 common warning signs of chronically high cortisol levels:
Yes, saunas can help reduce anxiety. The intense heat relaxes tense muscles and triggers the release of endorphins (your brain's natural "feel-good" chemicals). It also lowers levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone.
Joe Rogan primarily uses traditional Finnish dry barrel saunas manufactured by Salus Saunas. He has these 6-person cedar barrel saunas installed at both his Austin home and his podcast studio, featuring high-powered heaters that reach up to 200°F.
"Population-based studies involving thousands of people suggest that those who take saunas regularly have lower rates of heart disease than people who don't take saunas," says Dr. Prashant Rao, a sports cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
There is no single "best" time to use a sauna; it entirely depends on your specific wellness goals. Whether you are targeting energy, sleep, or recovery, tailoring the time to your routine determines the results you can expect.
The heat in saunas can lead to significant fluid loss through sweating, increasing the risk of dehydration. It's also important to cool down gradually to avoid abrupt shocks to your system. A quick cool shower or a gentle walk will help your body to adjust to the temperature shift.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease with symptoms that vary widely, often coming and going in "flares". The most common indicators include extreme fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and sun sensitivity.
Body odor can be directly influenced by specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Correcting these nutritional gaps may help neutralize unpleasant scents.
4 Urine Smells With Lupus: Chicken Broth, Ammonia, Fruity, and Fishy. Medically reviewed by Zeba Faroqui, M.D.
One of the most effective treatment methods for osteoarthritis is heat, and this is exactly why Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) is one of the best ways to help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Blue for relaxation and inflammation relief
And if you have trouble sleeping, feel anxious, or just need to chill out, blue light while sauna bathing before bedtime can help. In fact, blue is often used to support better sleep patterns and promote a sense of peace.
Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin—and may even benefit patients with psoriasis—sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.