Sauna towel during an infusion: waving, sitting right, rules
During an Aufguss (sauna infusion) the cabin gets full, hot and humid – and that is exactly when you find out whether your sauna towel is up to the job. Two towels are in action: the sauna master's large waving towel, which spreads the heat, and your own towel, which you sit on. Here I explain what happens with the infusion master's towel, how to lay out your own towel properly and which rules apply in almost every sauna.
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What happens with the towel during an infusion
In most saunas an infusion follows a similar pattern: the door is closed and the sauna master pours water – often scented – onto the hot stones in several rounds. The steam first rises up under the ceiling. To bring the hot, humid air down to the guests, it is spread around the room with a large towel. That is the reason for the typical waving.
The moving air makes the heat on your skin feel much more intense, even though the temperature in the cabin hardly changes. Many people see this wave of heat as the highlight of the sauna session. Two to three rounds are common, with waving in between. Each sauna decides for itself how long an infusion lasts; many are over after about 10 to 15 minutes.
Typical waving techniques
- Fanning: the towel is swung towards individual rows or guests. Everyone gets their own wave of heat.
- Circling (propeller): the towel spins above the infusion master's head and spreads the air evenly through the whole room.
- Whipping: a short, powerful swing sends a burst of heat in one direction.
- Show waving: event infusions add figures, music and sometimes several towels. Entertainment is part of it here.
What kind of towel does the sauna master use?
Infusion masters usually work with their own waving towel. Firm, rather smooth towels are common because they are easy to control and move the air powerfully. A fluffy bath towel would be too heavy and would quickly soak up moisture. For you as a guest this means: your sauna towel is not a waving towel. You need it for sitting and lying – the fanning is done by the staff.
Your sauna towel during the infusion: how to lay it out
During an infusion the cabin is often fully occupied. Even people who normally like to lie down usually sit up so that everyone finds a place. To make sure your towel still does its job, follow this order:
- Get it ready before you go in: fold your towel at the door so you can lay it out in one movement. Shortly after the start nobody should still be rearranging things.
- Cover your seat and feet: lay the towel lengthways so that your bottom, thighs and feet are on the towel. When you sit on the top bench, your feet rest on the bench below – fabric belongs there too.
- Stay in your own lane: your towel should not reach into your neighbours' space. A towel measuring 180 × 100 cm can simply be folded once lengthways.
- Don't forget your back: if you lean against the wall, your back touches the wood. Pull part of the towel up the back wall.
- Take it with you when you move: if it gets too hot at the top, just take your towel with you to a lower bench. It is cooler down there.
Which bench height means how much heat is explained in detail in our article about choosing the right bench in the sauna.
How big should a sauna towel for an infusion be?
For sitting with your feet on the towel, 180 × 100 cm is usually enough. If you are very tall or want to lie down during the infusion, a longer format is the better choice. Very wide towels tend to get in the way in a full cabin – but they can be folded.
| Situation | What your towel needs to do | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Before the infusion | quick to lay out, dry | fold it lengthways beforehand, take your seat early |
| During the infusion | cover seat, feet and possibly back; absorb sweat | stay seated, don't swing the towel |
| Moving down a bench | light and easy to handle | take the towel with you, move quietly |
| After the infusion | seat towel is wet – use a second towel for drying off | hang the wet towel up spread out |
Rules around the infusion
Every sauna has its own house rules. Some points, however, are so common that you can treat them as a rule of thumb:
- Be on time: in many saunas the door stays closed once the infusion has started. If you are late, wait for the next one.
- Don't pour water yourself: during staffed infusions only the sauna master pours. The same goes for waving your own towel.
- Keep quiet: conversations disturb others. Many infusion masters briefly explain the scent, then it goes quiet.
- No sweat on the wood: if your towel is laid out properly, nothing drips onto the bench or floor. This matters even more during an infusion because you sweat more.
- Leaving is allowed: if it gets too much, calmly stand up and go – ideally between two rounds so that as little heat as possible escapes.
We have summarised the general towel rules for every sauna session, including those without an infusion, in our sauna etiquette guide. This article deliberately focuses only on the special situation in a full infusion cabin.
Which sauna towel is best for an infusion?
During an infusion you sweat more than in a normal sauna session, and at the same time you have little space. That leads to three requirements: the towel should be large enough, absorb moisture well and be easy to fold. Cotton is the usual material for this. Whether you choose a flat-woven hammam towel or a dense, heavy sauna towel is mainly a matter of taste:
| Towel | Size / weight | Strength during an infusion |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean hammam towel | 180 × 100 cm, approx. 400 g, 100 % cotton | flat-woven, folds small, dries quickly between sessions |
| ADRIA hammam towel | 180 × 100 cm, approx. 290 g | very light, ideal as a second towel for afterwards |
| DOTWAVE sauna towel XL | 175 × 90 cm, approx. 900–950 g, 100 % cotton | dense and heavy, for anyone who likes a voluminous towel |
| HOMELEVEL sauna towel | 180 × 100 cm, 100 % cotton | classic sauna towel, washable at 40 °C |
One point is often underestimated: after a strong infusion your seat towel is damp. For cooling down, showering and the relaxation room, a second, dry towel is worth its weight in gold. A light hammam towel takes up hardly any space in your bag. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and about 60 minutes indoors – often in time for the next session.
Common mistakes with the sauna towel during an infusion
- Laying it out too late: spreading your towel after the start causes unrest and lets heat escape if the door was still open.
- Towel too small: a hand towel under your bottom is not enough – your feet then rest directly on the wood.
- Waving along: fanning yourself disturbs the routine and your neighbours. That is the infusion master's job.
- Putting the towel over your head: some people use it to shield themselves from the heat. It is better to move one bench lower; sauna hats exist for protecting your head.
- Rolling up a wet towel: after the infusion, don't stuff the damp towel into your bag – hang it up spread out.
Related reading: Sauna infusion: process, rules and tips – with a look inside the Meri Sauna · Sauna etiquette: the most important rules for your sauna visit · Top or bottom? Which sauna bench is right for you
Conclusion
During an infusion two towels share the work: the sauna master's waving towel spreads the heat, and your sauna towel makes sure you sit cleanly and comfortably. Lay it out early, cover your seat and feet, stay in your lane and leave the fanning to the professional. With a towel measuring 180 × 100 cm and a second, dry towel for afterwards, you are well equipped for every infusion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave the cabin during an infusion?
Yes. If it gets too hot, go out – ideally between two rounds and without any fuss. Your wellbeing comes first. If you have health questions about using the sauna, it is best to check with a doctor beforehand.
Can I lie down during an infusion?
If there is enough space, yes. In full cabins, however, it is customary to sit up so that every guest gets a place. In both cases the important thing is that you lie or sit completely on your towel.
Why does the sauna master wave a towel?
The steam first collects under the ceiling. The waving towel spreads the hot, humid air around the room and fans it towards the guests. This makes the heat on your skin feel more intense.
Is a normal hand towel enough for an infusion?
A small hand towel only covers the seat. So that your feet also rest on fabric, a sauna towel for an infusion should be about 180 cm long. A large bath towel or hammam towel does the job.
How many towels do I need for an evening with several infusions?
At least two: one for sitting in the cabin and one for drying off and for the relaxation room. If you attend many infusions, you will be glad of a third, dry towel.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.