The perfect Towel for the Sauna
Why do you need a towel in the sauna?
If you do not regularly visit a sauna, you may not be familiar with the usual customs in a sauna or spa. In this article, we therefore take a look at how to use your sauna towel correctly: in Germany, saunas are typically textile-free, meaning you enter the area without clothing. However, to leave your place as hygienic as possible while sitting and sweating, you use a towel to sit or lie on. This is similar to a gym, where you also place a towel on certain equipment to protect seating and reclining surfaces from sweat residue.
This is the ideal towel for the sauna
The ideal size of a sauna towel also depends on whether you intend to sit or lie on it. You will be best prepared if you bring a designated sauna towel – in other words, a towel specifically designed for use in the sauna. With a typical size of 80 × 200 cm, a sauna towel is suitable for all purposes. Compared to a bath towel, it offers a larger surface area to lie on, making the sauna experience more comfortable.
When it comes to material, you should opt for cotton or a cotton–linen blend: this gives you high absorbency combined with excellent drying properties. Natural fibres are also less sensitive to temperature than many synthetic fibres, meaning that even high temperatures, such as in a Finnish sauna, pose no problem.
Using a towel in the sauna: how to do it properly
Among the items you should bring to the sauna is also a bathrobe. Although the sauna itself must be entered naked, you can – and should – wear a bathrobe in the rest of the spa area. It keeps you warm before and after your sauna sessions and, thanks to its pockets, can also be used to store personal belongings that should not be taken into the sauna.
After showering and drying off – dry skin sweats more effectively – you can make your way to the sauna. For your first session, it is best to choose a middle or lower bench, where the temperatures are lower than at the top. Spread out your sauna towel and sit or lie down on it. Make sure that any sweat drips only onto the towel and not onto the benches. You can now enjoy the soothing heat for around 8 to 15 minutes.
After the sauna session: bathrobe
Afterwards, take your towel with you out of the sauna and begin your cooling-down phase. Your cardiovascular system is best cooled down gradually from the bottom upwards. Start with your feet and slowly work your way up.
You can now wrap yourself in your bathrobe and rest for a while before the next infusion. Experts recommend taking a break of at least 30 minutes before your next sauna session. Also remember to replenish lost fluids by drinking something.
Your sauna towel will be used again for the next infusion. Two to three sauna sessions per visit are typical and have a positive effect on both body and mind.