The Best Finnish Sauna Accessories: Essential and Sustainable Supplies for Your Sauna
Few things are as relaxing as a traditional Finnish sauna. Thoughtfully chosen essentials enhance comfort, improve safety, and create an immersive sauna experience.
No-one can do sauna quite like the Finns. For them, sauna is a century-old practice that is as alive and well today as ever. So what better place to turn to when searching the best sauna accessories for your ultimate sauna kit?
The brands listed in this post are authentically Finnish, combining skillful craftsmanship with generations of knowledge of sauna tradition. They represent the finest of the modern movement, allowing for a smoother and comfortable sauna routine than ever.
Where Was the Sauna Invented?
The sauna, as we know it today, was invented in Finland and is a vital part of Finnish culture. Its history spans over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest traditions still practiced in the country. Many cultures have their own versions of steam baths, but Finland is known for perfecting the sauna.
Early saunas were simple pits dug into the ground, used as shelters during harsh winters. These “earth saunas” were heated by wood-burning fires, and hot stones were used to create steam. This steam, known as “löyly,” is a key element of the sauna experience, helping to cleanse the body and promote relaxation.
As time went on, saunas evolved into more sophisticated wooden cabins. By the Middle Ages, they were common in both rural and urban areas. Today, there are about three million saunas in Finland, making sauna culture a true symbol of Nordic well-being.
Why Choose Sustainable Sauna Accessories?
In Finland, respect for nature is a core value, and saunas are often seen as a way to connect with nature. By choosing sustainable sauna supplies, you can honor this tradition while minimizing your environmental impact.
Creating the perfect sauna experience is all about having the right accessories that enhance comfort and promote sustainability. Whether it’s organic towels, natural oils, or natural soaps, each accessory plays a role in making your sauna session more enjoyable and eco-friendly. Let’s explore the must-have Finnish sauna accessories that every sauna enthusiast should know about.
Must-Have Sustainable Sauna Accessories From Finland
1. Bucket and Ladle
The heart of any sauna session lies in controlling the steam, or “löyly,” by pouring water over the hot stones. A sauna bucket and ladle made from wood or metal is an essential tool. Opt for those crafted from FSC-certified wood or recycled metals for a sustainable touch. The bucket holds the water while the ladle allows you to control how much steam you want to create.
Handmade in Finland, Aarikka‘s bucket is made of ecological biocomposite material with the iconic Aarikka beads on its handle. Biocomposite material is a mixture of certified wood, cellulose fibre and bioplastic.
2. Thermometer
Maintaining the perfect sauna temperature and humidity levels is key to an enjoyable experience. A sauna thermometer ensures that the temperature stays within the ideal range (typically 70–100°C). By knowing the temperature, you create the optimal heat, allowing for a safer and more comfortable session.
This thermometer from Puine is handmade in Finland from certified birch wood and treated with environmentally friendly wood preservative.
3. Towels
A high-quality sauna towel is a basic yet crucial accessory. Look for towels made from organic cotton, linen, or bamboo, which are both absorbent and eco-friendly. In Finland, many prefer large, soft towels that offer full-body coverage while sitting or lying down on the sauna benches. Sustainable, natural materials enhance comfort and also align with the traditional values of cleanliness and well-being in Finnish sauna culture.
Saana ja Olli makes towels in 100% hemp fabric, produced sustainably in Finland. They also function as seating blankets.
4. Essential Oils & Fragrances
For a true sensory experience, sauna oils are great. Traditionally, Finns use natural, woodsy scents such as birch, pine, or eucalyptus. The drops are added to the bucket of water before it’s poured onto the stones, filling the air with full a sensory experience. (Fun fact: Some people even pour beer on the stones to make it smell like freshly baked bread!)
Opt for organic essential oils to avoid synthetic chemicals. These scents create a relaxing atmosphere and provide therapeutic benefits, such as clearing the sinuses and easing stress. Try out different scents and see what you favorite is!
Hetkinen makes sauna scents that are 100% natural, vegan, & alcohol-free in all the classical scents.
5. Seat Covers
In Finnish saunas, it’s common to use seat covers to provide a hygienic layer between the benches and your skin. While they are usually single-use items of paper in public saunas, private saunas often use linen or cotton towels instead. They’re not only practical for cleanliness but also add comfort when sitting on the wooden benches.
Pisa Design makes beautiful bench towels designed for the sauna. They are 85% Finnish Aivina linen, a type of coarse, durable linen fabric made from flax fibers. The material is absorbent, quick-drying, and has a natural texture, making it ideal for sauna environments.
Aivina linen is known for being eco-friendly, as flax is a natural fiber that requires less water and fewer chemicals to grow compared to cotton. The fabric’s rough texture also makes it useful for exfoliating the skin, enhancing the sauna experience.
6. Sauna Hat
Sauna hats are a great accessory for protecting your head from overheating during a sauna session. In the intense heat of a sauna, your head can warm up faster than the rest of your body, leading to discomfort or dizziness.
Sauna hats help regulate the body temperature, so you can stay in the sauna longer and enjoy its full benefits. These hats are usually made from natural materials like wool, felt, or linen. They’re not only practical but also align with the traditional sauna culture of using natural, sustainable materials.
Lapuan Kankurit‘s sauna hat is made of surplus European linen fabric, produced according to the REACH regulations and following Oeko-Tex standards.
7. Biodegradable Soaps & Shampoo
For those who wash themselves in the saun, biodegradable soaps and shampoos are the perfect choice to protect nature. Biodegradable products means they contain plant-based ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals. This ensures that they break down naturally and don’t pollute waters.
Using biodegradable options is especially important if you’re in a more natural setting, such as a lakeside sauna, where water runoff could directly impact the local ecosystem. Eco-friendly products are gentle on your skin and the environment, making them an ideal addition to your sauna.
Browse our curated collection of eco-friendly Finnish hair and skincare brands here:
8. Exfoliation Tools
Exfoliation is a key part of the Finnish sauna experience. A sauna brush or a soap cover made from natural materials gently scrubs away dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed. Exfoliation also promotes blood circulation, making it an important step in any sauna routine.
Sola Soap makes a wash bag from recycled Sisal natural material. You slip a soap inside, and the bag helps foam up the soap and acts as alight exfoliating aid for washing.
9. Wood Carrier
A wood carrier is a practical and essential tool for anyone using a traditional wood-burning sauna. It helps you transport firewood to your sauna without making a mess. For an eco-friendly option, choose carriers made from sustainably sourced wood or recycled materials. A good quality wood carrier adds convenience while enhancing the rustic, natural atmosphere of the traditional Finnish sauna experience.
Novapuu produces beautiful wood carriers from leftover Finnish alder wood, offering a zero-waste alternative.
10. Bathrobe
After a sauna session, slipping into a soft, comfortable bathrobe is the perfect way to cool down. Choosing a sustainable bathrobe made from organic cotton, linen, or bamboo provides comfort and supports environmentally friendly practices. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and gentle on the skin, offering a luxurious yet eco-conscious way to unwind. A high-quality bathrobe will keep you warm after leaving, or keeping you covered between the sauna and the water for your cold plunge!
Whether you’re new to the world of saunas or an enthusiast, the right accessories can elevate your sauna experience. By choosing sustainable and high-quality accessories, you ensure a more luxurious experience while supporting the traditions of sauna culture in a responsible and eco-conscious way. From creative materials to waste-reducing production, there is no shortage of choices out there.
Feeling inspired and ready to explore more? Check out our growing collection of Finnish sustainable home, health, beauty, and clothing brands here: