Sauna Accessories: Gilding The Lily

What could be simpler than a sauna? Its just heat and water: no special equipment, no extra gear, and no clothes! Despite the simplicity, though, there are a few accessories that can make your sauna experience even more enjoyable.

Natural Materials

One of the appealing things about saunas is their natural beauty. The wood-lined walls, ceiling and floor are as beautiful as they are functional. When choosing accessories for your sauna, try to find objects that complement this natural beauty. Wooden accessories fit in very well, as well as other natural materials like copper and cotton.

Every sauna needs a pail and ladle for pouring water on the rocks. There are many attractive sets available in both wood and copper. Wooden pails fit in naturally with the wooden interior of the sauna, but copper provides a nice accent. When choosing a ladle, make sure you get one with a long handle. It will allow you to keep your hands away from the steam when you pour water on the hot rocks.

Another necessity for most saunas is a sauna light. Unless your sauna has windows and is built outside, you are going to need at least one electric light. Sauna lamps need to be specially designed to provide a vapor barrier between the housing and the casing. They can be installed on the walls and fitted with a lampshade to provide a soft, diffuse light.

A handy accessory for your sauna is a towel rack attached to the exterior wall of the sauna. This provides a convenient place for hanging bathrobes and towels. A wooden towel rack provides a nice complement to the wood interior of the sauna.

Thermometers and Timers

Other accessories include thermometers and timers. These are particularly useful for those who are new to the sauna experience. There are several types of thermometers available in either metal or wood casings. They attach to the wall of the sauna and allow you to monitor the temperature and make sure it stays within a certain range. Hygrometers are also available to measure the moisture in the sauna.

Timers are also a good idea if you are concerned about overdoing your sauna. A distinctive type of timer is the classical hourglass which uses sand to keep track of the time. When the sand runs out, simply flip the timer over for another session.

Seats, Brushes, Fragrances

If you find the sauna benches uncomfortable, there are a variety of back and leg rests available to provide a more relaxed seating position. These are made of wood and fit in naturally with the sauna decor.

Another wooden accessory that is nice to have in the sauna is a brush set for brushing the skin. The natural bristles of sauna brushes provide an invigorating sensation and are soft enough to be used on every part of the body.

For a unique sauna experience, try adding a few drops of fragrance to the steam water. Several aromas are available including eucalyptus, pine and birch. When the water is placed on the hot rocks, the scent will fill the air for a refreshing alternative to the regular sauna steam.

Sauna In A Suit

For those who love the sauna experience but don't have regular access to a sauna, sauna suits may be an alternative. These suits are designed primarily for losing weight, and can be worn when exercising or doing housework to promote perspiration. Although not quite the same as a real sauna, these suits do offer the same benefits achieved through heavy perspiration: cleansing the skin and promoting a healthy glow.

Sauna suits are made of nylon or vinyl and fit tightly around the wrists and neck to seal in body heat. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids when wearing one of these to prevent dehydration.

All of these sauna accessories make great gifts if you have a friend with a sauna. So whether you are looking for a gift idea or simply want to spruce up your own sauna, these sauna accessories can provide even greater enjoyment from your sauna experience.