Preparing the sauna whisk for using in sauna

How to Properly Prepare a Sauna Whisk for Use

To get the most out of your sauna experience, it’s essential to properly prepare your sauna whisk, especially if it's dried. Preparing the whisk ensures the leaves become soft and pliable, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of a relaxing sauna session. While there are a few different ways to prepare your whisk, we’ll walk you through the most common methods.

Long Preparation Method:

  1. Cold Water Soaking: Begin by filling a container with cold water, ensuring it’s large enough to fully submerge the entire whisk. Place the sauna whisk in the water, making sure all the leaves are fully covered. Let it soak for about 30 minutes. This step allows the leaves to absorb moisture gradually, preventing them from becoming brittle or tearing during use.
  2. Partial Immersion: After 30 minutes, remove the whisk from the water. Now, place it back into the container, but this time with only the handle submerged in the water, while the leafy part remains upright. This mimics how you might place a flower bouquet in a vase. Let it stand in this position for another 30 minutes. This method ensures that the leaves continue to soften while keeping the handle dry, which helps maintain a firm grip during use.
  3. Warm Water Finish: Once you’re ready to head into the sauna, prepare a pail or bucket with warm water inside the sauna. Submerge the whisk in the warm water for a few minutes to warm it up, and it’s now ready to use. The warm water further softens the leaves, preparing the whisk for an optimal sauna experience.

 

Classical Quick Method:

If you're short on time and only have about 20 minutes before your sauna session, you can use a quicker preparation method. Here’s how:

  1. Hot Water Soak
    Fill a container with hot water, making sure it’s not boiling, as that could damage the leaves. Submerge the sauna whisk in the hot water and let it soak for 10 minutes. The heat will help the leaves soften more quickly than in the cold water method.

  2. Partial Standing
    After 10 minutes, take the whisk out of the water and place it back into the container with the handle submerged and the leaves upright (similar to the long method). Let it stand like this for another 10 minutes. This brief pause helps the leaves continue to soften while preventing the handle from becoming slippery.

After following either method, your whisk is now ready for use. Simply bring it into the sauna, and you’re all set for a rejuvenating and invigorating experience.

Extra Tips for Prolonging the Life of Your Sauna Whisk:

  • Avoid Boiling Water: While hot water helps in speeding up the process, boiling water can damage the leaves and reduce the lifespan of your whisk. Always aim for warm, not boiling, water.
  • Proper Drying After Use: After each sauna session, be sure to allow your whisk to dry naturally. Avoid storing it in a damp or confined space to prevent mold growth. Simply hang it in a well-ventilated area.
  • Rehydrating After Multiple Uses: If you use your whisk regularly, you may find that it needs rehydrating before each session. Repeat the soaking process before each use to keep the leaves soft and fresh.

By properly preparing and caring for your sauna whisk, you'll enjoy its benefits for a longer time. The soft leaves of a well-prepared whisk help gently massage the skin, improve circulation, and enhance the overall sauna experience. Whether you're using birch, oak, or eucalyptus whisks, proper preparation is key to maximizing their natural properties.