Welcome to another “Ask Jen” minisode where I share my extensive knowledge and personal experiences to address common questions and concerns about saunas, their use, safety, and effectiveness. Today, we’re talking about sauna essentials such as: to wear or not to wear hats, choosing the right towels, and showing you how to have a smooth sauna delivery and setup.

Whether you’ve just started using saunas or have been enjoying them for years, the questions answered will help you address the safety and effectiveness of using a sauna.

I have only ONE GOAL, that is, to help you understand how to use your sauna correctly, stay safe, and get all the health benefits it can offer.

Sauna Essentials Topic 1: Sauna Hats, To Wear or Not to Wear?

Question 1: What do you think of sauna hats?

Jen’s Answer: There’s never a black-and-white answer here. Trust your gut and do what feels right for you.

Now, do I wear a hat in the sauna? No, I don’t. Here’s why:

1. Hair Protection: People often wonder if saunas damage hair. If your head rests on heaters, it might dry out your hair. However, in many saunas like Clearlight®️, heaters stop at neck level, so your hair isn’t directly exposed. I prefer keeping my hair in a bun so it doesn’t touch the heaters.
2. Core Body Heat: Infrared saunas raise your core body temperature by a couple of degrees, similar to a light fever. Just as you wouldn’t wear a hat with a fever, it feels uncomfortable in a sauna. Your head needs to breathe and detoxify freely.

If you’re using a sauna often, like a few times a week, it’s important to care for your body. Saunas can dry out hair because you’re sweating out minerals and electrolytes. Support your body with the right nutrients— maybe fish oil, electrolytes, or supplements. Check if your hair or nails start feeling dry; you might be low on minerals. 

Want to feel better at home? Grab my free wellness checklist and start making changes today!

Sauna Essentials Topic 2: Choosing the Right Towels for Your Sauna

Question 2: What towels do you use and why?

Jen’s Answer: My trusted brand is Grandeur Hospitality from Costco. I’ve been using them for over a decade in my home and my wellness sauna studio. Here’s why I love them:

1. Spa Quality: They’re the same kind you’ll find in spas and hotels. They’re white, lush, and made from comfy cotton.
2. No Dyes or Colors: The key is to use white towels. Keeping them clean sounds tricky, but you don’t want dyes or synthetic materials touching your body. When you’re in the sauna, sweating and detoxing, your pores are open. Colored towels can leave residues and aren’t as safe.

We have about 20 towels, neatly stored on a ladder rack outside my sauna. We wash them separately from other laundry in hot water to keep them extra clean, using eco-friendly, non-toxic, fragrance-free detergent.

You don’t have to get your towels from Costco. Any organic, cotton towels without dyes or chemicals will do. We also change our sauna towels more frequently than regular bath towels to keep them clean and non-toxic.

Practical Guide: Delivery and Setup of Clearlight®️ Saunas

Question 3: How is a sauna delivered, and how do I set it up?

Jen’s Answer: Depending on the size of the sauna, the delivery package will vary in size.  When your sauna arrives, it comes in large, flat boxes similar to oversized pizza boxes. Each box is packed with panels and wrapped in sturdy plywood to keep everything safe during shipping.

Once you have your boxes, here’s how to get your sauna set up smoothly:

1. Open the Boxes: Open them up with care.
2. Lay Out the Panels: Spread the panels in your garage or yard.
3. Bring Them Inside: Carry the panels into the space you want to set up your sauna. 

Assembling the sauna is not difficult. The panels click together easily, and the instructions will guide you through the process. You won’t need any glue or screws, just a screwdriver to attach the lampshade and door handle. This usually takes 2-3 hours and is best done with two people.

If you ever need to move, disassembling your sauna is as simple as packing up any other piece of furniture. Here’s how:

1. Take it Down: Start by carefully taking down your sauna.
2. Wrap it Up: Wrap each panel in blankets or secure them in protective packaging. 
3. Load it Up: Place the wrapped panels into the moving truck or whatever transport you have.
4. Set it Up Again: Once you arrive at your new space, set up your sauna again.

Was this Sauna Essentials Q&A helpful? Email me your feedback!

Clearlight®️ Infrared Sauna Review

To wrap up, here’s a quick note from one of my wellness warriors.

“Jen, thank you for taking the time to help me get a sauna for me and my family. I know it took many months to decide and I really appreciate your patience, but I need you to know how much it’s changed my life. I finally have a peaceful “mom space”, the scale is finally moving, and my skin looks and feels amazing. Most importantly, for the first time in years, I finally feel like I’m finding myself again. I honestly say a gratitude prayer to you every time I’m in the sauna, I hope you receive it!”

Kat from Michigan

Explore infrared saunas here —it’s your gateway to a healthier home.

Let’s make wellness a daily habit together.