SaunaLife Paraffin Oil - 16.9oz

What It Does

An odorless paraffin oil that protects sauna wood from moisture and dirt while enhancing the natural color and texture. This is the protective treatment you apply after cleaning—or before first use on a new sauna—to make the wood more resistant to staining and easier to maintain.

Why It Matters

Sauna wood that comes in direct contact with skin (benches, backrests, headrests) takes a beating from sweat, heat, and humidity. Untreated wood absorbs moisture and stains more readily, which means more scrubbing and faster aging. Paraffin oil soaks into the wood fibers rather than sitting on the surface, so it protects without creating a slippery film or unpleasant smell when heated.

Oiled surfaces repel dirt and sweat better, which makes your regular cleaning sessions easier. The oil also keeps the wood from drying out and developing that rough, splintery texture that happens over time.

What's in the Bottle

Pure paraffin oil mixture with no added fragrance or colorants. Paraffin oil is food-grade mineral oil—the same stuff used on cutting boards and butcher blocks. It's safe for direct skin contact (which is why it's used on sauna benches) and doesn't break down or go rancid like vegetable oils.

How to Use It

Start with clean, dry wood. If the wood has buildup or stains, use SaunaLife Sauna Cleaner first and let it dry completely. For rough or previously neglected wood, sand lightly before applying.

Apply oil with a clean cloth or brush, working parallel to the grain. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Highly absorbent wood (like new cedar or older wood that hasn't been treated recently) might need a second application—just repeat the process on any areas that absorbed all the oil.

Here's the important part: before using the sauna after treatment, heat it for 1-2 hours and wipe away any unabsorbed oil with a cloth. The heat helps the oil penetrate deeper, and removing the excess prevents it from transferring onto skin or towels.

Real-World Use

New sauna: Treat all bench surfaces before first use.

Established sauna: Once or twice per year, depending on how heavily you use it. If you sauna daily or have multiple users, lean toward twice annually. Occasional weekend use, once per year is fine.

You'll know it's time to retreat when water stops beading on the wood and starts soaking in quickly, or when the wood starts looking dry and faded.

Application Tips

Don't over-apply. A thin coat that soaks in completely works better than a heavy coat that sits on the surface. If you can see pooled oil after 15 minutes, you used too much—wipe off the excess.

Treat bench undersides too. Mold grows on untreated undersides, and treating them makes cleaning easier.

Dispose of oily rags safely. Paraffin oil itself isn't flammable, but oil-soaked rags can spontaneously combust if wadded up. Either burn them immediately, soak them in water and place in a sealed metal container, or spread them flat to dry before disposal.

What to Know

Safe for skin contact once absorbed and heated, but keep the bottle away from kids—it's harmful if swallowed. If someone ingests it, don't induce vomiting. Call poison control and bring the bottle with you.

Store between 40-89°F. The oil stays good for up to 5 years in a closed container.

Made in Estonia (the actual land of sauna) for Bathing Brands, Inc. Safe for the environment.

Technical Specifications