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Information & Etiquette.
Sauna Etiquette & Use
Dusty Roads Sauna infomation
Proper sauna preparation begins well before you enter the sauna itself. To ensure both personal enjoyment and respect for our environment, start by hydrating thoroughly at least 1hr before your session, drink between 500ml and 1L of water to ready your body for the intense heat and sweating you will experience, avoid heavy meals 2 hours before hand, light snacks are acceptable. This pre-sauna routine is essential not only for your health and comfort but also for maintaining the respectful mindset that defines authentic sauna culture. Being prepared helps you fully benefit from the heat therapy, supports circulation, and contributes to a calm, considerate atmosphere.
To maintain a pure, relaxing, and therapeutic environment, all guests are required to sit or lie on a clean towel (we provide bench or sitting towels) while using the sauna. Showering prior to entry is also essential, helping to remove oils and impurities from the skin and ensuring a clean, enjoyable experience for everyone.
European and Scandinavian traditions often embrace nudity as the most hygienic and authentic approach. Clothing harbors bacteria and prevents proper sweating, contradicting core sauna principles.
As our sauna is a private hire you are more than welcome to go natural or wear swimwear it is entirely up to you!
Please make use of the bench towel for sitting or lying on for hygiene reasons, also the benches do tend to get hot.
We do recommend removing all jewelry before entering. Metal objects become hot in sauna conditions and can cause burns.
The Art of löyly
Pouring water over heated stones creates löyly, the Finnish term for the steam and spirit of the sauna. This gentle burst of heat and humidity enhances circulation, deepens relaxation, and elevates the entire sauna experience.
If you're having a sauna with other is it polite to ask if you may add water to the rock.
Pouring Water on the rocks:
Always use the wooden or metal ladle. Never pour directly from a bucket.
Hold the ladle approximately 15-20cm above the stones and pour gently. A slow, steady pour allows the water to evaporate properly.
Use small amounts, around 80–200ml (roughly one ladle). This preserves heat and creates a soft, even steam.
Pour in a light circular motion, allowing water to touch multiple stones, particularly the hottest rocks on top.
A strong, immediate hiss means the stones are at the right temperature. If not, reduce the amount of water or allow the sauna to heat further.
What to avoid:
Don't over pour- excess water cools the stones too quickly, reducing heat and potentially damaging the heater.
Fresh, clean water is essential. Avoid salt water, chlorinated water, or any additives, as these can damage the stones and heater.
The ideal sauna temperature is not fixed, it is personal.
Most comfortable and beneficial sessions fall between 65°C to 90°C, adjusted to suit your own preference and tolerance.
A sauna is more than heat alone. It is a place to unwind, to cleanse, and to find stillness.
Some prefer a gentler warmth, allowing the body to ease slowly into relaxation.
Others favour higher temperatures, intensifying the experience and deepening the therapeutic effects.
There is no single “correct” heat only what feels right for you.
Listen to your body — heat should relax, not overwhelm.
For beginners start with 5–10minute, have a cool shower and rest then repeat up to 3 times or as you feel able.
Enjoy a sauna once or twice a week and working your way up from there, allow your body to adjust to the high heat, starting at shorter session times prevents your body from overheating and build your heat tolerance slowly. It is very important to listen to your body throughout your session, if you feel dizzy or experience nausea or any discomfort leave the sauna and cool down, with a cool-lukewarm shower or a rest outside.
As you feel more comfortable and your heat tolerance improves consider longer sessions 10-15 minutes, the sauna has a sand timer for up to 15 minutes, just flip it over when you enter and the sand will do the rest.
After you have finished your sauna session it is important to let your body cool down gradually, after showering have a rest allowing your heart rate to calm before resuming normal activities
Make sure to replenish your lost fluids after your sauna, avoid alcohol as it could cause further dehydration.
If you have any health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, are pregnant or on any medication make sure to consult a health professional first.
If you've seen people wearing felt hats in a sauna and wondered why, you've discovered one of sauna culture’s most practical accessories. A sauna hat is a thick, insulating headpiece typically made from wool felt, worn during high-temperature sauna sessions to protect your head, hair, and ears from extreme heat.
Sauna hats aren’t just a unique tradition; they serve a real purpose. Designed to protect your head and hair from extreme heat, they help regulate temperature around the scalp, allowing you to stay in the sauna longer and enjoy a more comfortable, balanced session.
Benefits include:
• Keeping your head cooler, insulation can keep your head around 10–15°C cooler than the surrounding air, allowing for longer, more comfortable sessions
• Protects hair, helps prevent dryness and heat damage
• Reduces overheating, lowers the chance of dizziness or discomfort caused by excessive heat around the head
• When to Wear, sauna hats are especially useful in temperatures above 85–90°C, during longer sessions (15+ minutes), or anytime you’re feeling particularly heat-sensitive.
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