Why do you sit on a towel in a sauna?
Timber benches absorb sweat. Sitting on a towel keeps the wood clean and stops it staining, and it's basic etiquette in shared saunas. The Finns even have a word for it: laudeliina, the bench towel. It also stops hot timber feeling too hot on bare skin.
Which towel fabric is best?
| Fabric | Feel | Drying | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linen | Crisp, softens with washing | Very fast | Bench towel, premium home saunas |
| Turkish cotton (peshtemal) | Thin, flat-woven | Fast | Bench towel, travel, wrap |
| Cotton terry | Thick, soft | Slow | Drying off after the sauna |
| Synthetic or microfibre | Slick | Fast | Best avoided on hot benches |
Natural fibres handle heat and sweat best. Synthetic fabrics can feel hot against the skin and hold odours.
What size sauna towel do you need?
A bench towel should be long enough to cover where you sit and rest your legs, roughly the length of your body if you like to lie down. A standard bath towel works for sitting. For drying off, a large bath sheet or a wrap-style towel is most comfortable. Many venues supply towels, but check before you go: the sauna finder lists what each venue includes where we can confirm it.
How should you wash sauna towels?
- Wash after every session, since they hold sweat.
- Use a hot wash and skip fabric softener, which reduces absorbency.
- Dry fully in the sun or a dryer before storing.
- Keep a separate bench towel for each person in a home sauna.
What else should you bring?
Water to drink afterwards, a towel or robe for between rounds, sandals for wet floors, and a hair tie if needed. Leave jewellery and watches outside: metal gets hot. A wool or felt sauna hat is a classic Finnish extra that keeps your head cooler. More in how to use a sauna.
Questions people ask
Do you need a towel in a sauna?
Yes. Sit or lie on a towel so sweat doesn't soak into the timber benches. It's expected etiquette in shared saunas.
What is the best material for a sauna towel?
Linen and Turkish cotton are thin, absorbent and fast-drying, so they suit bench towels. Thick cotton terry is best for drying off afterwards.
Can you wear a towel in a sauna?
Yes, wrapping a towel around you is common and acceptable in most venues. Check the venue's own dress rules, as they vary.
Do saunas provide towels?
Many bathhouses include towels in the session price and some charge extra. Check the venue before you go.