How long does an infrared sauna last?

If you buy an infrared cabin, you naturally want to use it for a lifetime. But how long is the lifespan of an infrared sauna really?

The usual lifespan of an infrared cabin is difficult to determine because it varies from brand to brand and product to product. The infrared cabin itself is usually stable, so you can enjoy the benefits of an infrared cabin for decades.

Often, the durability is also indicated by the lifespan of the infrared heaters.

This is estimated to be around 5,000 hours for many products, which corresponds to a normal usage period of about 10 years.

Clearlight infrared cabins, on the other hand, guarantee a significantly longer lifespan. You can expect years of durability from our models and, thanks to a lifetime warranty, you don't have to worry about expensive repairs and defective parts.

How long the infrared sauna lasts generally depends on several factors:

• Quality

As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" - the better the quality, the longer the product lasts.

• Usage

The more often and intensively the infrared cabin is used, the more it wears out.

• Maintenance

The more carefully you handle and maintain it, the longer your infrared cabin will remain in good condition.

What you can do to make your infrared cabin last longer

As a user of an infrared cabin, you can significantly influence its lifespan.

While some points are good to know when buying, there are important aspects to consider during later use.

With a little care and the right tips, you'll enjoy your wellness product for even longer.

Careful consideration when buying

You can influence the durability of the infrared sauna already at the time of purchase. As already mentioned, quality is crucial for the lifespan of the infrared cabin.

However, this doesn't simply mean that the most expensive product is automatically the best. Rather, it's about knowing common quality features and examining them thoroughly before buying.

For example, you should pay attention to the wood and the workmanship of the cabin.

• What type of wood is it?
• What material is the floor made of?
• Was high-quality adhesive used for assembling the body?
• Does the wood resin or show other defects?

Furthermore, you should inquire about the infrared heaters. Here, too, there are differences not only in the strength and type of infrared radiation, but also in processing and durability.

• Is the heater made of ceramic, carbon, aluminum, carbon and ceramic, or even another material?
• How large are the heating surfaces?
• What is the minimum operating time?
• What wattage does the device have?

In addition, you should find out about the functionality and complexity of the electronics.

• How is it controlled?
• What accessories are built into the cabin?
• What about the lighting?

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Infrared cabin assembly

With a little care and the right explanation, nothing can go wrong during the assembly of the infrared sauna.

Generally, it is important that the infrared cabin is placed in a dry location and on a level surface. This applies to both indoor and outdoor models. Even if the latter are weatherproof, they should never be placed on grass, soil, or other damp, uneven ground.

Otherwise, the assembly and installation of an infrared cabin is quite simple and can in most cases be carried out correctly by amateurs. No prior knowledge and hardly any tools are required.

With the right screwdriver and an Allen key, assembly is quick. If you still want to be on the safe side, you can of course also hire experts.

Proper handling

The manufacturer assumes proper use of the infrared cabin. Nevertheless, mistakes can occur due to ignorance, carelessness, or insufficient explanation, which can negatively affect the lifespan of your infrared cabin in the long run.

There is little you can do wrong during use itself. The infrared cabin needs to heat up for a few minutes and can then be used for 20 to 45 minutes. You can repeat this process several times a week with a clear conscience to experience all the health benefits as best as possible.

Regular maintenance, unfortunately, is often neglected. To get the most out of your infrared cabin, you should perform a few simple steps at regular intervals.

• You can easily remove any stains in the wood with sandpaper. For this, gently sand the walls with 150-grit sandpaper.
• To prevent the door from sagging, you should regularly check the hinges and tighten them if necessary. A conventional Allen key can be used for this. Otherwise, the door may no longer close properly, and valuable heat will be lost.
• For longer durability, you can paint the interior with a special eco-friendly varnish. However, you should never use cheap chemicals for this and inquire with specialists beforehand.
• Also, check the WiFi connectivity regularly, as this affects the operation and thus the functionality of the infrared cabin.

Exact hygiene measures

Adhering to certain hygiene measures not only has a positive effect on the longevity of the infrared cabin but also guarantees you a worry-free sweat in the infrared sauna.

Rules for proper hygiene are intended to curb the spread of bacteria and viruses. This has a positive effect on your health on the one hand and on the stability of the wood on the other.

• After each use, you should heat the infrared cabin to its maximum temperature of about 60°C and leave it for about 15 minutes. At these temperatures, numerous bacteria are already killed.[1]
• To prevent the risk of transmitting viruses and bacteria, the infrared cabin should not be used by too many people at the same time. The risk is lowest when used alone.
• Showering before the sauna session can also help to bring less dirt and other things into the cabin. It is important to dry yourself thoroughly after showering before entering the infrared sauna.
• Since the sauna bench is particularly heavily used, you should always place at least one towel on it as a base. This way, sweat can be absorbed, and less accumulates on the bench.

What to do if the infrared cabin has a defect?

Especially with products of low quality, far-infrared heaters or full-spectrum heaters have a rather short lifespan and give up the ghost after only a few years.

If there is a warranty, you can usually easily have infrared heaters, benches, damaged glass, or other parts replaced by the manufacturer.

This brings us to the next important point that should be considered regarding the durability of infrared cabins: the warranty.

Clearlight products, for example, always come with a warranty. Clearlight promises a lifetime warranty on all infrared cabins for private use.

The longer the warranty, the better the value for money. If no or only a very short warranty is offered when you buy your infrared sauna, you should reconsider this purchase. The chances are high that you will not be able to use this product flawlessly for a long time.

But don't worry, a defective heater doesn't mean a defective infrared cabin. Usually, you only need to replace a few individual parts, and you can enjoy the infrared heat again for years as usual.

If you own a product without an existing warranty, you will unfortunately have to pay for the repair of the defective parts yourself.

Given that you can usually use an infrared cabin for several decades, minor repairs and the replacement of some wearing parts are certainly worthwhile.

We regularly receive inquiries about the repair or replacement of a heater, because a radiator, the control unit or other electrical components have stopped working properly.

Unfortunately, we often have to disappoint because we do not carry the requested radiators or because the radiators are not compatible from a certification or safety point of view.

You probably won't have this problem if you choose a manufacturer that has been producing infrared cabins for decades and whose cabins come with an above-average warranty.

Many manufacturers are usually only on the market for a few years, which can cause enormous headaches for you as a customer if you need a spare part or technical support. We recommend not compromising here.

Good care increases the lifespan of your infrared cabin

Due to the dry heat of an infrared cabin, it requires little maintenance. Nevertheless, you should clean the infrared cabin so that you can use it in excellent condition for as long as possible.

The outer walls can be easily wiped clean with a duster, similar to various pieces of furniture.

The floor of an infrared sauna is heavily used and should therefore be regularly cleaned with a household vacuum cleaner. You can also place floor mats on the floor. These catch dirt and can simply be emptied outside.

Equally important is the constant cleaning of the bench. Even if you use towels, it is the most used part. We recommend thoroughly wiping the sauna bench with a damp cloth after each session.

You can use distilled or unfiltered water for this, depending on your preference. However, with unfiltered water, limescale and other minerals may accumulate, which you will have to remove later.

For heavy sweat stains, you can also gently sand the bench with sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain, as mentioned above.

For the heating elements, you can use a damp sponge or cloth to remove dirt, fingerprints, or other deposits. Just make sure the elements have cooled down before cleaning to avoid burns.

By the way, outdoor infrared saunas require more care. Regular pressure washing helps keep the exterior in pristine condition.

A small tip: For a more thorough cleaning and disinfection, you can either buy a gentle, ecological sauna cleaner without chemicals or even mix one yourself.

To do this, mix distilled water with a few drops of a high-quality essential oil and lightly wipe the inside of your infrared sauna. For a stronger effect, dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in about 3-4 liters of water.

Caring for an infrared sauna is quick and easy. Don't worry about having to spend too much time cleaning. If you take a few small steps after each sauna session, your workload will even decrease further, and the lifespan of the infrared cabin will be extended.

How long your infrared cabin lasts therefore depends heavily on the quality of the product, but you can extend its durability if you handle your infrared cabin carefully.

If you would like to know more about infrared cabins, we at Clearlight will be happy to advise you.

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