The Advent season is just around the corner − Christmas stars are once again hanging in shop windows, and Christmas trees are decorating the streets and town squares. Soon, Christmas markets will be offering all kinds of delicious treats − the air will smell of gingerbread, roasted almonds, mulled wine, and bratwurst. And once again, the question arises: What should I give my loved ones for Christmas?
So that the search doesn’t turn into a stressful experience, we have good news for all sauna and wellness enthusiasts: We have just what you need − the perfect gift idea!
There is plenty of decorative and practical sauna accessories to choose from. But one particular sauna essential is indispensable − the sauna towel!
The following article is about sauna textiles in general, and the sauna towel in particular.
- Why is it important to take a sauna towel into the sauna?
- What is the difference between a bath towel and a specially designed sauna towel?
- What kinds of sauna textiles are there, and which are must-haves and which are nice-to-haves?
Never without one ‒ why you need to take a sauna towel into the sauna
Seasoned sauna-goers know − you don’t take anything into the sauna except a sauna towel. And not just so you can lie on something soft and cozy or soak up your sweat:
- If you sat directly on the wood, the sweat pouring out of every pore during a sauna session would get straight onto it and leave ugly dark stains. A sauna towel or sauna kilt protects the wood, keeping it clean and looking good for a long time.
- Another reason to lie on a suitable surface in the sauna is hygiene. In your own sauna, you can keep cleanliness under control yourself; in public facilities, it’s not so easy to know how clean everything is.
- Sauna benches are usually made from wood with low thermal conductivity. Even so, the wood can get extremely hot in a Finnish sauna. That’s why it’s a good idea to protect yourself with a sauna towel.
Not all towels are created equal
Size
For a sauna session, it’s best if your sauna towel is large enough to let you lie on it comfortably and relax. Standard bath towels aren’t always long enough, as they’re usually only 170 cm long. Specially designed sauna towels are typically 200 cm long and 80 cm wide, but taller people can also choose the XXL version, which is 220 cm long.
Material
Sauna towels are made from absorbent, durable materials that can withstand the demands of a sauna visit. Besides using it to dry yourself, sitting on it also puts it under additional strain from rubbing against the bench. To enjoy your sauna towel for a long time, be sure to choose a high-quality material.
Suitable fabrics include linen and linen terry. Compared with cotton, they can absorb up to three times as much water and still feel comfortable. Thanks to its naturally waxy surface, linen is less likely to pick up dirt.
Linen terry is also slightly rough and, thanks to its massaging effect, stimulates blood circulation in the skin as you dry off.
If you prefer something a little cozier, you can choose a cotton sauna towel. Cotton is absorbent and ideal for lying comfortably on the sauna bench. There are different qualities, weights, and properties among cotton fabrics. The quality of a sauna towel is related to the thickness of the cotton fabric. The thicker the towel, the more comfortable it is to lie on. For comfortable lounging, choose a weight of over 300 g/m2. If the sauna towel is heavier than 500 g/m2, it quickly becomes too heavy when wet.
Design
Sauna towels come in all kinds of designs. With such a wide selection of colors, patterns, and collections, it’s not always easy to choose. With so many different colors, designs, and styles to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Take a look around during a sauna session and you’ll notice that the sauna towels are just as colorful and varied as the people sitting on them.
Sauna textiles − which ones are a pure (wellness) luxury?
First and foremost, the sauna towel; that much is clear to everyone now. Close behind is the bathrobe, which keeps you warm and cozy as you rest and relax on a lounger. But there are plenty of other useful and practical sauna textiles that can make your sauna session even more enjoyable, and that you’ll soon find hard to do without.
Sauna bathrobe
The bathrobe is indispensable while you relax or read a book. Of course, you could just wrap a towel around yourself, but that wouldn’t give you complete freedom of movement. A bathrobe also keeps you wrapped up warmly, so you don’t get cold after your sauna session.
Sauna sitting towel
For sauna-goers who prefer to sweat sitting up, a sauna sitting towel is another option. They come in linen with attractive designs, as well as in cotton, optionally with a PVC-coated underside. Since a sitting towel is smaller than a standard sauna towel, it isn’t suitable for lying down. The advantages: it’s quick to pack, handy, and space-saving. For even greater convenience, try the sauna roll towel:
A rubber loop turns the rolled-up sitting towel into a practical companion.
Sauna kilt
Why do I need a sauna kilt? I already have a sauna towel!
Bathrobes aren’t for everyone either − too warm, too heavy, too cumbersome.
If you still don’t like being naked in the sauna area or sauna cabin, a sauna kilt is just the thing for you. Unlike a towel wrapped around you, which you have to keep readjusting, a kilt stays securely in place. It can be fastened to fit with buttons, a hook-and-loop closure, or an elastic waistband. If you’d also like to wear your sauna kilt in the sauna cabin, it’s a good idea to bring a second sauna towel to sit on or place on the bench when lying down.
Women’s sauna kilts are a little longer than men’s, as they need to cover the chest.
Kilts are available with embroidered ornaments or patterns; practical patch pockets let you store various items and set them apart from a standard sauna towel. Different materials, construction, and designs make the sauna kilt a practical companion for your wellness getaway.
Sauna fanning towel
A fanning towel is a handy accessory for a sauna infusion. Public sauna facilities usually have regular infusion sessions, so you don’t have to worry about fanning the air during the infusion. The sauna master can use different fanning techniques to distribute the hot air evenly throughout the sauna or fan it toward each sauna-goer individually. This creates an additional burst of heat, making sweat pour from every pore. Fanning towels are also available for private use in various styles, sizes, and qualities.
Sauna hat
A hat in the sauna? Surely not to keep you warm!
When water is poured onto the heated stones during a sauna infusion, the hot air rises. This humid heat collects near the ceiling and then comes back down onto our heads. Sauna-goers who don’t tolerate the heat well but still don’t want to miss out on sauna infusions can protect themselves from the extreme heat above with a sauna hat. It makes the infusion more comfortable and relaxing.
Sauna hats come in all kinds of unique and original designs. They are mostly made from wool felt or absorbent linen terry.
Massage accessories
If you want to do something nice for your skin, treat it to a soothing massage from time to time. It stimulates circulation and leaves your skin soft and rosy. This works best with wash mitts or massage straps, which also help you reach your back. Wash mitts and massage straps are available in sisal or linen terry and can be washed at 60 °C or higher.
Conclusion
As you can see, sauna textiles come in all kinds of variations and styles.
Whether we prefer a bathrobe or a sauna kilt, need a sauna hat, or would rather sweat without one depends a lot on our experience with them. But why not try something new?
Have you already come up with a few ideas for what to give your loved ones for Christmas? Sauna textiles come in so many varieties that they make ideal Christmas gifts − whether colorful, natural-toned, original, cozy, or rough. They’re sure to look great under the Christmas tree.