Sauna accessories: what you really need for the sauna
Sauna accessories are quickly bought – and often just as quickly forgotten in the cupboard because they don't work in practice. The towel that is too short, the heavy bathrobe that never dries in the bag, the plastic bottle that is lukewarm after an hour: mistakes like these are easy to avoid. In this guide we go through everything you really need for the sauna, what is useful and what you can skip. We look at textiles, shoes, sauna hats, skincare and water bottles – and briefly at the equipment that belongs in a home sauna.
Contents14
- What actually counts as sauna accessories?
- Sauna accessories at a glance: essential, useful, optional
- Textiles: the most important sauna accessories
- Bathrobe or poncho for the breaks
- Bathing shoes: underrated sauna accessories
- Sauna hat: useful for frequent sauna-goers
- Skincare as a sauna accessory: what makes sense before and after
- Water bottle: a sauna accessory for the breaks
- Sauna accessories for the home sauna
- What to look for when buying sauna accessories
- Sauna accessories as a gift
- What you can skip
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What actually counts as sauna accessories?
Two very different things end up under this term: on the one hand the personal items you take to any public sauna, spa or wellness hotel. On the other hand the equipment of your own sauna – bucket, ladle, thermometer, hourglass. Most guides lump both together. We separate them, because if you only go to the spa now and then you don't need a hygrometer, and if you have a home sauna you still need good towels.
A simple rule helps: everything that comes into direct contact with your skin and the wood should belong to you and be clean. Everything that concerns the sauna itself is provided by the operator in public facilities.
Sauna accessories at a glance: essential, useful, optional
Before we go into detail, here is the overview. It shows what to start with and what can wait.
| Item | Rating | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Sauna towel for lying down | Essential | Long enough to lie on completely – no part of your body on the wood |
| Second towel for drying off | Essential | Light, quick-drying, space-saving |
| Bathing shoes | Essential | Non-slip sole, quick-drying, easy to slip on and off |
| Bathrobe or poncho | Very useful | Weight and drying time matter more than fluffiness |
| Water bottle | Very useful | Leak-proof, keeps tea warm or water cool |
| Shower gel and skincare | Useful | Mild, small amounts, cream only after cooling down |
| Sauna hat | Optional | Wool or felt, for frequent sauna-goers and hot infusions |
| Hair tie, comb, lip balm | Optional | Small things that fit in your bathrobe pocket |
| Infusion scents, hourglass, thermometer | Home sauna only | Provided by the operator in public saunas |
With the first three rows of the table your sauna accessories are complete – you are well equipped for any sauna. Everything below makes the day more pleasant but is not a must.
Textiles: the most important sauna accessories
In almost every German sauna the rule is: no skin contact with the wood, not even with your feet. The towel is therefore not a comfort item but part of the house rules. At the same time it is the item where most bad purchases happen.
The sauna towel for lying down
Length is what matters. A normal 140 cm bath towel is fine for sitting, but when you lie down your feet or head stick out. For the lying bench, plan at least your body height plus a little extra. Common sauna towels are around 175 to 200 cm long.
For the material there are two directions: classic thick terry or flat-woven cotton. Terry is soft and absorbs a lot, but it gets heavy and takes a long time to dry. An example of the substantial version is the DOTWAVE Sauna Towel XL at 90 × 175 cm and around 900 to 950 g – pleasantly hefty and, according to the care label, suitable for the tumble dryer. If you prefer to travel light, choose a hammam towel. Which option suits you better is compared in detail in our article hammam towel or sauna towel.
The second towel for drying off
The lying towel gets damp in the cabin. If you dry yourself with it after showering, you will lie on a wet towel during the next round. That's why a second towel belongs in your bag. This is where hammam towels shine: they are flat-woven, take up little space in the bag and dry quickly. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and in about 60 minutes indoors. You can read more about types and uses in our basics article on hammam towels.
A towel for the lounger in the relaxation room
In the relaxation room the towel likes to slip off the lounger – at the latest when you get up for the next infusion. The Hammam Towel Ocean StayOn solves this with a sewn-in pocket that you pull over the backrest. At 200 × 70 cm it covers the lounger well and marks your spot at the same time.
Bathrobe or poncho for the breaks
Between sauna sessions your body cools down, and in the relaxation area, the bistro or on the way outside you don't want to stand around in just a towel. There are two solutions.
The bathrobe is the classic. For the sauna, lighter is usually better. A thick terry robe is wonderful at home, but in a sauna bag it weighs a lot and stays clammy for hours after the first wear. Light cotton qualities dry faster. The Trimita Barok Bathrobe is such a model: 100 % Turkish cotton, a light quality without terry, with a tie belt and pockets for your locker key. Whether a hood, muslin or a heavier fabric suits you better is covered in our article which bathrobe.
The bathing poncho is the alternative for anyone who likes to cool down outdoors or change under the fabric. You pull it over your head, it doesn't slip and you can put it on and take it off with one hand. You can find our models in the poncho collection.
Bathing shoes: underrated sauna accessories
In many facilities bathing shoes are required in wet areas; in the cabin itself you usually take them off and leave them outside the door. Pay attention to three things:
- Non-slip sole: tiles, wooden duckboards and outdoor steps are wet. A treaded sole matters more than any design.
- Quick-drying: plastic or rubber dries in minutes, cork or fabric soles soak up water.
- Easy to slip on and off: you take them off before every round and put them back on afterwards. Slides without straps are more practical than sandals with buckles.
Tip from everyday sauna life: a pair of shoes that stays in your sauna bag as a permanent accessory is never forgotten.
Sauna hat: useful for frequent sauna-goers
Your head gets the most heat in the sauna because warm air rises. A hat made of wool or felt insulates, absorbs sweat and protects your hair from drying out. It has long been common in Finland and Russia; in Germany you mostly see it on regulars and infusion fans. For occasional sauna-goers it is not a must. How the felt hat works and what to look for when buying one is explained in our sauna hat article linked below.
Skincare as a sauna accessory: what makes sense before and after
You shower before the first round – that is mandatory everywhere. A mild shower gel is enough. The VEGAN FOX Shower Gel comes in 200 ml and is available in three scents: linden blossom, grapefruit and red grape. A small facial product can be added; nothing more is needed before the sauna. Remove make-up and creams beforehand.
After the last round: cool down first, then apply cream. As long as your skin is still sweating, no cream will absorb properly. A light face cream and a richer care for your feet are enough. Which steps make sense before, during and after the sauna is summarised in our article on skincare around the sauna. You can find the matching products in the VEGAN FOX care collection.
Water bottle: a sauna accessory for the breaks
When you sauna you lose a lot of fluid through sweat. It is common to drink during the breaks, not in the cabin. Your own bottle saves the trip to the counter and lets you decide what you drink – often tea in winter, cool water in summer.
An insulated stainless steel bottle is ideal. The IZY Thermos Bottle Van Gogh Flowers holds 500 ml and, according to the manufacturer, keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. Because no condensation forms on the outside, your sauna bag stays dry. What to drink and when is explained in our article on drinking in the sauna.
Sauna accessories for the home sauna
If you have your own sauna, you also have to provide the equipment yourself. The basic equipment is manageable:
- Bucket and ladle: usually wooden, often with a plastic or metal insert so nothing leaks. The ladle should be long enough that your hand doesn't have to go over the hot stones during the infusion.
- Thermometer and hygrometer: show temperature and humidity. A heat-resistant design and an easy-to-read scale are important.
- Hourglass: 15 minutes is common. It helps you keep track of time without looking at a clock.
- Headrest: a wooden headrest makes lying more comfortable.
- Infusion scents: only use products explicitly intended for sauna infusions, and always diluted.
Decorations in the cabin should be suitable for high temperatures – anything else is a fire risk. The same rules apply to textiles in the home sauna as on the go. Tips can be found in our article on the sauna towel for the home sauna.
What to look for when buying sauna accessories
Whether towel, robe or bottle – for every sauna accessory three questions help you avoid bad purchases.
- How much does it weigh in the bag? A sauna day means: lying towel, towel for drying off, robe, shoes, bottle, skincare. If you always choose the heaviest option, you'll quickly carry several kilos. Light items make spontaneous sauna visits easier.
- How quickly does it dry? Textiles that lie damp in the bag for hours after the sauna soon smell musty. Quick-drying fabrics are more hygienic and easier to care for.
- How easy is it to wash? Sauna textiles go into the wash after every visit. Easy-care cotton that gets clean at 30 °C saves time. Leave out fabric softener with sauna towels, as it reduces absorbency.
Then there is recognisability. In large facilities there are often dozens of white towels on the loungers. A coloured or patterned towel is easier to find again – another argument when choosing your sauna accessories.
Sauna accessories as a gift
Many people look for sauna accessories as a gift for friends or partners. The best gifts are things that actually get used: a beautiful hammam towel, a light bathrobe, a thermos bottle or a skincare set. Ready-made sets such as the Feierabend-Ritual with Trimita Barok bathrobe, matching Barok hammam towel and VEGAN FOX shower gel take the choice off your hands. You'll find more ideas in the collection gift ideas for sauna and wellness.
What you can skip
Not everything sold as sauna accessories is worth it for a visit to a public spa. Usually you can do without:
- Your own infusion scents: in public saunas pouring your own infusions is almost always prohibited.
- Electronics: smartwatches and phones have no place in the cabin – heat damages batteries and other guests want quiet.
- Jewellery: metal gets very hot in the heat. Chains and rings are better left in the locker.
- Three different bathrobes: one that suits your sauna rhythm is plenty.
If you want to pack your bag step by step, our checklist linked below will help.
Related reading: Packing a sauna bag: the checklist for your sauna visit · Sauna hat: what the felt hat is good for in the sauna · Drinking in the sauna: before, during the breaks and afterwards
Conclusion
Good sauna accessories don't have to be expensive or extensive. A lying towel that is long enough, a second light towel, non-slip bathing shoes – with these you are well prepared for any sauna. A light bathrobe or poncho, an insulated water bottle and a mild shower gel make the day more pleasant. A sauna hat and home sauna equipment are for anyone who sweats regularly. Pay attention to weight, drying time and care with every item, and you'll still enjoy using it years from now.
Frequently asked questions
Which sauna accessories do I need for my first sauna visit?
To start with, a large towel for lying down, a second one for drying off, bathing shoes and shower gel are enough. Many saunas rent out bathrobes and towels, so you can try things before buying your own.
How big should a sauna towel be?
Long enough that you can lie on it completely without your feet or head touching the wood. For most adults that is around 175 to 200 cm in length. A shorter towel is fine for sitting.
Is a bathrobe mandatory in the sauna?
Usually not, but it is often expected in relaxation areas and restaurants. It keeps you warm during the breaks. Alternatively, a bathing poncho or a large towel wrapped around you works. The exact rules are in the house rules of each sauna.
Can I do my own infusions in the sauna?
In public saunas, as a rule, no – that is done by the staff. In your own sauna you can use infusion scents as long as they are intended for sauna infusions and are used diluted.
How often should I wash sauna towels and other sauna accessories?
After every sauna visit. The towels absorb sweat and then lie damp in the bag. Wash them promptly and let them dry completely before you pack them again.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam. As a family, we have run the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.
