Your first heat
Before anyone sits in it, heat the empty sauna to full temperature for about an hour with the door closed. This cures the heater and settles the timber. A faint smell is normal the first time and won't come back.
Keep it hot
A Sōk asks very little of you. A few minutes after each session and a short routine through the year will keep the timber sweet, the heat even and the glass clear for decades.
- 2 min After every session
- 15 min Once a week
- 1 hour Each season
- Half a day Once a year
01
After every session
The single most important habit is letting the room dry out. Moisture left in the timber is what causes marks and smells.
- Sit on a towel. It keeps sweat off the benches and is the easiest way to keep them pale.
- Wipe the benches. A quick wipe with a dry cloth or your towel takes off any sweat or water.
- Dry it out. Leave the heater on for five to ten minutes with the door ajar, then switch off and leave the door open until the room is dry.
- Empty the bucket. Tip out any water and store the bucket and scoop upside down so they dry.
02
Every week
A light clean while the sauna is cool. Warm water and a soft brush do most of the work.
Floor
Sweep or vacuum, then wipe with a damp cloth. Lift out the floor duckboards to dry if they're wet underneath.
Benches and backrests
Scrub along the grain with warm water and a little mild, unscented soap. Rinse lightly and let them dry with the door open.
Glass
Clean inside and out with a mix of white vinegar and water and a microfibre cloth. Avoid ammonia sprays.
Never use bleach, harsh detergents, pressure washers or any varnish, paint or sealer inside the sauna. The timber needs to breathe.
03
Every season
Four times a year, give it a slightly deeper look over.
- Refresh the benches. Lightly sand any darkened boards with fine sandpaper, along the grain, then wipe off the dust.
- Check the door. Make sure the seal sits flush and the hinges close softly. Tighten any loose screws.
- Clear the roof. Brush off leaves and check gutters and the base drain freely so water never pools.
- Keep the clearance. Trim back plants and branches so there's at least 300 mm around the walls and 1 m above the roof.
04
Every year
Once a year, set aside a morning. It's the difference between a sauna that lasts ten years and one that lasts thirty.
-
Restack the stones
Stones break down with heat and water. A fresh stack gives softer, more even steam.
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Treat the exterior
Optional. The timber silvers naturally; a UV exterior oil keeps the original colour.
-
Inspect the base
Check it still sits level and nothing has settled or shifted underneath.
05
Heater and stones
Your Harvia heater does the hard work. Look after the stones and it will look after you.
- Stack loosely. Larger stones at the bottom, smaller on top, with gaps for air to move. Never pack them tightly.
- Replace the tired ones. Remove any that are cracked or crumbling and top up with new sauna stones.
- Clean water only. Use fresh tap water on the stones. If you add fragrance, use one made for saunas and dilute it well.
- Never cover the heater. No towels or clothes on or near it, ever.
Any electrical fault, tripping or damage to the heater or control panel must be looked at by a licensed electrician. Don't open the heater yourself.
The Sōk care kit
Bench oil for the outside, a soft bench brush, fine sanding pads and a printed copy of this guide.
06
Troubleshooting
The benches have dark marks
That is usually sweat or water soaking into the timber. Lightly sand along the grain with fine sandpaper, then always sit on a towel and dry the room after each session.
It smells musty inside
The room is not drying out fully. Run the heater for ten minutes after each session with the door ajar, then leave the door open. Check the floor and duckboards are dry underneath.
The heater takes longer to warm up
Check the stones are stacked loosely and not packed tight, and that the door seal closes properly. If it is still slow, contact us and we will check the heater.
Steam feels harsh or sharp
Your stones are probably breaking down. Restack them and replace any cracked or crumbling ones. Pour water slowly, a little at a time.
The outside is turning grey
That is normal. Thermally modified timber weathers to a soft silver grey and is still fully protected. If you prefer the original colour, use a UV exterior oil once a year.
The power keeps tripping
Switch the sauna off at the switchboard and call a licensed electrician. Do not try to open or repair the heater or control panel yourself.
Something not right?
Send us a photo and a quick description.
We'll tell you what to do, or send someone out.