6 Best Finnish Sauna Accessories To Elevate Your Healing Experience

Finland has around 5.5 million people, but there are over 3.3 million saunas — roughly one sauna for every other person! While the rest of us might hit a sauna to simply sweat out stress or reduce soreness after gyming, the Finns see it as a sacred practice that should be approached with the same dedication for maximum benefits.

If you want to replicate an authentic Finnish sauna experience, you must add a few accessories to your setup. From sturdy wooden ladles for tossing water onto hot stones to plush sauna hats that protect your head from scorching heat, different elements can take your sauna time from standard to 'is-this-even-possible?'

Read on to learn all about these essential sauna accessories and how they can transform your sweat session.

All About Finnish Sauna Accessories 

Traditional Finnish saunas have a wood-burning heater, a stack of rocks, and benches to sit down on. Beyond these basic elements, you can add the following accessories to enhance comfort, improve ambiance, and amplify health and therapeutic benefits.

Sauna Thermometer

A thermometer is one of the first accessories any sauna owner should consider. In a traditional sauna, the temperature range hovers between 150 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat exposure increases your heartbeat, causes sweating, and induces vasodilation, which helps enhance blood flow and deliver essential nutrients throughout the body. 

It also offers several health benefits, such as detoxification, better cardiovascular functioning, stress reduction, and increased energy levels. 

However, there's a fine line between beneficial and excessive heat exposure. Without a reliable way to monitor the temperature, the blissful heat can cause hyperthermia, leading to serious heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. Some symptoms of overheating include rapid heartbeat, confusion, agitation, flushed skin, and the unpleasant duo of nausea and vomiting.

If your traditional sauna doesn’t come with a control panel, consider getting a thermometer to keep tabs on the temperature. With a thermometer in place, you can adjust the temperature to suit your comfort level, whether it's a toasty 170 degrees Fahrenheit for a relaxing sweat session or a steamy 190 degrees Fahrenheit for a more intense detoxifying experience.

Hygrometer

In a traditional sauna, 'löyly' is a cherished concept. It refers to the steam that arises when water is thrown on the hot sauna stones, momentarily increasing the humidity levels. 

High humidity might feel comforting at first, but it can actually affect your body's natural cooling mechanism — sweat evaporation. This interference can lead to overheating and make you feel sick, especially if you’re suffering from a respiratory condition. 

Since humidity levels in a sauna cannot be controlled, a hygrometer might help you manage them. This device measures the moisture content in the air so you don’t feel claustrophobic or suffocated while enjoying the sauna. This optimal humidity level will also hydrate your skin and soothe your respiratory tract for easier breathing.

Sand Timer

As with any great experience, timing is key. For maximum benefits, spending 15 to 20 minutes in a sauna per session is recommended. You might be thinking, "I'll just use my phone or wristwatch to keep track!" However, high heat can cause permanent damage to these devices, rendering them useless. 

Instead of risking your valuable gadgets in the sauna, you should get a 15-minute sand timer. This handy device will help you count down those crucial minutes and add a timeless charm to your sauna session.

Sauna Hat

Back in the day, Russians wore banyas — a straw hat — to protect their head from sauna heat. While the straw hats of yesteryears may not be everyone's go-to or readily available at your local store, the concept of head protection in the sauna remains as relevant as ever. 

Research shows that high-temperature exposure can impact neural function, potentially disrupting sleep and mood. WebMD further highlights that excessive heat can also damage hair follicles, leading to thinning and breakage.

If you’re looking for an alternative, a sauna hat made of felt or other heat-resistant fabrics is the way to go. These sauna hats create a protective barrier from high heat, absorb excess sweat, and protect your precious locks. 

Essential Oils

Who doesn't love walking into a room that smells like a freshly baked batch of cinnamon rolls or freshly cut pine trees? If you’re nodding along, an essential oil kit for the sauna might be what you need. 

Different essential oils offer varying benefits. For instance, lavender, with its floral notes, promotes relaxation. Eucalyptus can work wonders in clearing congestion and relieving joint pain, and sandalwood is known to reduce inflammation and improve skin health. 

Before you start pouring essential oil into a sauna diffuser or slathering it onto your skin, make sure to dilute it and perform a small patch test on your skin. This preventative measure will allow you to enjoy your aromatic sauna session without any allergic reaction.

Sauna Rain Jacket

Finnish saunas are usually crafted from durable woods like cedar, hemlock, or aspen. These timbers are renowned for their sturdiness and natural resistance to decay and insect damage; however, they are not entirely impervious to the weather. 

If you plan on placing your sauna in your garden, patio, or deck, consider getting a sauna rain jacket. This practical accessory helps protect against moisture infiltration, which can compromise the wood’s integrity over time. 

Rain jackets for saunas are specifically engineered to be water-resistant yet breathable, so you don’t have to worry about any condensation buildup that could otherwise lead to damage.

Best Finnish Sauna Accessories

The following are some of the best Finnish sauna accessories available at GRIM PARENT LIMITED:

Almost Heaven Bucket, Ladle, and Thermometer Package

The Almost Heaven Bucket, Ladle, and Thermometer Package can be a perfect addition to your Almost Heaven sauna, bringing functionality and a rustic touch to your experience. The bucket and ladle are crafted from Western red cedar, which is not only beautiful but also resists moisture and high heat.

This means you don’t have to worry about it cracking or wrapping over time. When you want to increase the sauna's steam level, simply fill up the bucket with water and use the ladle to drizzle water onto the sauna stones. 

You can use the included thermometer to check the sauna’s temperature. This device displays metrics in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, so anyone can take advantage of it. The sleek metal frame adds a modern touch to your sauna’s interior, while the glass front ensures the readings are clear and easy to read from across the room. 

With these devices, you can create a humid environment without worrying about overheating due to high temperatures. 

LED Mood Lighting 

Chromotherapy has been praised for its potential healing influences, ranging from mood enhancement and stress relief to improved energy and concentration levels. With Almost Heaven Mood Lighting, you can enjoy all these benefits from your private sauna.

It comes with 20 different light options, intensities, and transition patterns, so you can choose the one that best suits your mood. In addition to its expansive color range, the mood lighting also boasts user-friendly controls via a handy remote. 

The colored LED strip comes in two flexible sizes — 30” and 51”— to suit your sauna's various dimensions. If you have a barrel sauna, the light strip can be conveniently positioned behind the heater, whereas for an indoor sauna, it can be tucked behind the backrest for sauna light therapy. 

FAQs

What do you wear in a Finnish sauna?

In a Finnish sauna, it's common to be naked. However, if you feel uncomfortable, wearing a towel is perfectly acceptable. You can also sit on a towel during the sauna session.

What is a Finnish sauna?

A Finnish sauna is a deeply ingrained part of Finnish culture. It's not just about sweating; it's a place to relax, socialize, and connect with nature. Finnish saunas typically use heated rocks and are known for their distinctive löyly (steam).

Why do Finns like saunas so much?

Saunas are part of Finnish life from birth to death. They're seen as a place of purity, healing, and relaxation. The saying goes, "The sauna is a poor man's pharmacy,” and Finns truly believe in it. Nearly all Finns take a sauna at least once a week.

Final Words

A Finnish sauna experience is unparalleled, but it is incomplete without the right accessories. At GRIM PARENT LIMITED, we're all about enhancing sauna moments. 

That’s why we offer a range of premium quality traditional and infrared saunas and quintessential accessories you had no idea you needed until now! 

To learn more about our offerings or to explore our full range of products, visit our website or reach out to us directly.