Sauna towel: what sets it apart from a bath towel & how to use it properly
What is a sauna towel?
The positive effects of sauna bathing on health and well-being have been proven by numerous studies. It’s no surprise, then, that many people enjoy visiting the sauna or making use of one during a trip to the swimming pool or spa. Among the items you should take with you to the sauna is also a sauna towel. “Do you really need a special towel for the sauna?” occasional sauna-goers or newcomers often ask. After all, wouldn’t a regular towel do just as well for sitting or lying on?
In Germany, saunas are typically textile-free – meaning you do not wear swimwear or other clothing when entering. However, for hygiene reasons, you should always place a large towel underneath you to sit or lie on. This ensures that no sweat comes into contact with the wooden benches or even drips onto the lower levels. With a size of around 80 x 200 cm, a sauna towel is ideally suited to the requirements of a sauna.
Which material is suitable?
To ensure your sauna towel still looks good after many sauna sessions, you should prioritise high quality and excellent craftsmanship. Towels made from terry towelling are ideal, as the loops on both sides make them durable and highly absorbent – an important feature in the sauna.
Whether you opt for pure cotton, for example from the MÖVE WELLNESS or MÖVE SUPERWUSCHEL collections, or prefer a slightly textured and cooling cotton–linen blend like the MÖVE EDEN range, ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both options are well suited for use in the sauna.
You should avoid microfibre or other synthetic fibres in the sauna, as they often cannot be washed at high temperatures – making them a potential breeding ground for germs.
The difference from a bath towel
Bath towels (100 x 160 cm) and shower towels (80 x 150 cm) are similar in size to sauna towels. However, if you want to lie down in the sauna, they are usually not quite long enough. An alternative could be beach towels, which at around 180 cm in length can often serve as a suitable surface for lying down.
A sauna towel is also a great choice after your sauna session – for example, on the way to the shower. Thanks to its generous size, it’s perfect for wrapping around yourself and maintaining privacy. Two good reasons, then, to bring a proper sauna towel with you.
Hammam towel & more: other sauna essentials
In German saunas, swimwear is also discouraged because synthetic fibres are considered unhygienic and may hinder the evaporation of moisture and the body’s natural cooling process. Before your visit, you should check how “textile-free” is interpreted at your chosen sauna. Some operators allow a wrapped sauna towel or a lightweight hammam towel, while others adhere strictly to the traditional Finnish textile-free approach.
In addition to a fringed hammam towel, a sauna kilt or sauna sarong can also be used to cover the body during or after a sauna session. Both stay securely in place and won’t slip or come undone. They are also less bulky than a typical bathrobe, making them lighter and more comfortable to wear.