Post-Install and Use Guide

• Turn on your heater and allow 40 minutes for the sauna to reach temperature.

• The rocks keep heating after that, so allow roughly another 20 minutes and the stones get a good deal hotter, which gives better steam.

• For your first sauna session, set the thermostat between halfway and three-quarters to see how this setting feels for your sauna.
• You can then either keep it at that setting, or turn it slightly closer to half or closer to full for your next session, continuing until you find your Goldilocks setting – the temperature that feels just right.
• Once you’ve found it, you likely won’t need to adjust again.

1. Preparing and Starting Your Session

Clothing: Choose natural fabrics such as cotton. Avoid synthetic materials or garments with metal clips. Remove watches and smart watches – they can heat up quickly and may not tolerate the high temperatures.

Personal care: Avoid perfumes, lotions, or body oils before entering. These can seep into the timber and leave marks, and the chemicals in scented products may become more potent when heated, which isn’t ideal for air quality or skin when your pores are open in response to the heat.

Seating: Using a towel will help protect the timber from sweat marks. You may also choose to have the bench oiled at installation if you prefer to sit directly on the timber.

Ventilation: Keep air vents open throughout your session to maintain airflow and löyly – the Finnish term describing the natural process of ventilation and heat circulation created when water meets the stones. This is a requirement for your Harvia warranty.

Hydration: Drink water before, during, and after each session.

Sauna Hat: Wearing a sauna hat helps protect your head and hair from overheating and keeps your body temperature balanced.

Switch off: We recommend leaving all devices outside the sauna so you can completely switch off and enjoy the quiet moments your sauna offers.

2. Pouring Water on the Rocks

• You may choose to add a few drops of essential oil (lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus) into a small ladle of water before pouring.
• Pour a small ladle of water at arm’s length over the rocks to create steam. This will be hot – stand back to avoid the initial rush of heat.
• Allow the intensity of the heat to envelop you, taking a moment to settle and focus on your breath.
• You may wish to add a second pour after a minute or two, or simply enjoy the dry heat – both are fine.
• Some people prefer not to pour water at all, while others like to do it a few times during their session.
• It’s important to avoid overpouring – if water drips through the heater to the floor, it’s a sign that too much water is being used.

3. Essential Oils (Optional)

• Add 1–2 drops of the provided essential oils (lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus) to your ladle of water before pouring it on the rocks.
• Never drop oils directly onto the hot stones – always dilute them in water.
• These oils can enhance relaxation, open the airways, and refresh the mind.

4. Breathing & Session Flow

• Aim for easy, steady breathing – ideally through your nose, or light mouth breathing if that feels easier.
• Stay in the sauna for about 10 to 20 minutes per round. Two or three rounds adds up to roughly 15 to 60 minutes in the heat across a session. Come out as soon as it stops feeling comfortable.
• You can take a short break on the lower bench between rounds or during a session – the temperature is milder and allows your body to adapt gradually.
• Staying a moment longer than feels easy (as long as you remain comfortable and stable) can help your body build resilience over time.
• Follow with a cold exposure (ice bath, pool, or shower), then return to the sauna.
• Repeat for 2–3 cycles as time and preference allow.
  
  Daytime sessions: finish on cold for an energising effect.
  Evening sessions: finish on warm to promote relaxation and sleep.

Sauna Safety

• Always pay attention to how you feel. If you experience dizziness, light-headedness, or nausea, leave the sauna immediately and cool down.
• Avoid alcohol before or during sauna use.
• Children can enjoy the sauna when accompanied by an adult – keep temperatures moderate and sessions shorter. A sauna hat can help protect a child’s head from excess heat.
• If you are pregnant, check with your doctor first, keep sessions moderate and brief, and always listen to your body.
• The heater is hot – do not touch it during or after use.

Sauna Stone Care

(Source: Harvia – The Easy Guide to Looking After Your Sauna Stones)

Your sauna stones are essential to performance and safety. Regular care helps your heater work efficiently, maintains even heat, and extends its lifespan.

1. Why stone care matters

Over time, stones can crack, crumble, or compact under heat and steam. This restricts airflow through the heater and can lead to uneven heating or overheating.

2. Inspect your stones regularly

• Check your stones every few months (or more often with frequent use).
• Remove any stones that are cracked, crumbled, or have sharp edges.
• Rinse or brush away accumulated dust or grit before replacing.
  

3. Re-stack for proper airflow

• When placing stones, create small air gaps between them.
• Don’t pack them tightly – good ventilation through the stones ensures safe and efficient heating.

4. Maintain & refresh stones

• When the heater is completely cool, remove the stones, rinse them clean, and discard any that are broken or crumbling.
• Restack with clear air gaps and top up with fresh stones only as needed to keep the heater properly filled.
• A full replacement is not usually necessary unless many stones are degraded.
• Regular maintenance prevents heater strain and helps maintain smooth, even heat and ventilation.

Sauna Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular cleaning keeps your sauna fresh, hygienic, and performing well for years to come.

• Keep the sauna as dry as you can. Wipe or dry the floor after each session, and leave the door or a vent open for a while so the timber can dry out.
• Sit or lie on a towel. It keeps sweat off the benches and backrests, which is the main cause of staining over time.
• Wipe any visible moisture or sweat from benches and backrests using a damp cloth.

• Every few weeks, or more often with heavy use, wipe down the benches, backrests and floor with a soft cloth and a mild natural cleaner. A good option is diluted white vinegar, about 1 part vinegar to 4 parts warm water, with a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you like. Bosisto's Eucalyptus Multi-Purpose Cleaner also works well.
• Wring the cloth out well. The timber should be damp, not soaked. Wipe along the grain.
• Clean when the sauna is cool, then let it dry fully with the door open.
• Vacuum or sweep beneath benches to remove dust and debris.

• Bleach, ammonia, harsh chemical cleaners and abrasive scourers, which damage the cedar.
• Pressure washers or hosing down the inside, which force water into the joints.

• Regular light maintenance will help keep the timber looking and feeling fresh.
  
• Oil the interior floor once a year with Livos Ardvos, a natural clear oil that is safe enough for chopping boards and toys. The walls and benches do not need oil, and exterior oil should never be used inside the sauna.
• For occasional refresh or additional protection elsewhere, Livos Oils are linseed-based and designed to nourish and protect the timber without synthetic additives or odours.
• Always apply lightly with a soft cloth or sponge, allow it to absorb, and wipe away any excess.
• You can also use a timber-specific paraffin oil – only use high-purity, food-grade options (often labelled white mineral oil or liquid paraffin BP/USP grade).
• Paraffin oil can help reduce moisture absorption and maintain colour.
• Both natural oil (Livos) and paraffin will slightly darken the timber – Livos Oils are available in selected shades if you prefer a specific tone.

• Regular light cleaning is far more effective (and better for the timber) than occasional deep scrubbing.
• Consistent maintenance supports both hygiene and the longevity of your sauna.

• For external protection of outdoor saunas, the timber will require oiling.
• Saunas are oiled at installation, and a second coat should be applied a few days later.
• Every 12–18 months, reapply a light coat to maintain protection and colour.
• We recommend and use Livos Oils – a natural, linseed-based oil that provides long-lasting weather and UV protection.

The Science & Expert Insights

If you’d like to explore the science behind sauna and cold exposure, these expert discussions are a great place to start:

Ongoing Care

Contact

Please contact support@peaksaunaice.au with any questions.

Thanks

Eva and Andrew

Happy Sauna-ing ♨️