Sauna Glossary — Speak the Language of the Heat

A–E

Avanto

A hole cut in the ice for winter swimming. The ultimate cold plunge following a hot sauna session. Found at lakes and the sea throughout Finland from November to March.

Höyry

General steam, like from a kettle. Distinct from löyly, which is the sacred steam created specifically by water hitting the sauna stones.

K–L

Kauha

The long-handled wooden ladle used to scoop water from the kiulu and throw it onto the kiuas. The long handle keeps your hand safely away from the steam blast. A good set is one of the essential sauna accessories.

Kiuas

The sauna stove. The heart of the room, holding the stones that store and radiate heat. Can be wood-burning (puukiuas), electric (sähkökiuas), or a smoke sauna stove.

Kiulu

The wooden bucket used to hold the water for creating löyly. Traditionally made of pine or aspen, often with a stainless steel or plastic liner. Browse our bucket and ladle guide for recommendations.

Lauteet

The wooden benches inside the sauna. Traditionally made of aspen or alder, as these woods stay cooler to the touch than darker woods. The higher the bench, the hotter the experience.

Löyly

(Pronounced: Low-lu) The steam that rises when water is thrown on the hot sauna stones. In Finnish mythology, löyly also refers to the spirit or breath of life. Good löyly is soft and enveloping. Bad löyly is sharp and stinging. Learn the proper technique in our first-time sauna guide.

Löylyhuone

The steam room — the actual hot room where the benches and kiuas are located. Literally “the löyly room.”

P–S

Pefletti

A small seat cover made of linen or paper, used for hygiene and comfort. In a proper sauna, one never sits directly on the bare wood. Public saunas often provide disposable paper ones. See our sauna etiquette guide for more on bench hygiene.

Puusauna

A wood-burning sauna. Known for its softer heat, the rhythmic sound of crackling logs, and the ritual of tending the fire. Considered superior to electric saunas for the quality of löyly.

Savusauna

The smoke sauna. The ancestral, most prestigious type of Finnish sauna. It has no chimney — the room is heated by a massive stove for hours, the smoke is vented out, and then people enter. Produces the softest löyly imaginable. UNESCO-recognized as part of Finnish cultural heritage. Experience one at the best saunas in Finland.

Sisu

A Finnish concept of inner strength, grit, and resilience. It is what you find within yourself during the final minutes of an intense heat session or a winter cold plunge. There is no direct English translation.

Saunaelämys

The complete sauna experience. Coined by Sauna from Finland to describe the holistic ritual beyond just sitting in heat — encompassing preparation, heating, bathing, cooling, rest, and socializing.

V

Vasta / Vihta

A bundle of birch twigs used for whisking the skin during sauna. Vasta is used in Eastern Finland; vihta is used in the West. This regional terminology debate is surprisingly passionate among Finns.

Vilvoittelu

The act of cooling down between heat sessions. Considered just as important as the heat itself. Can involve cold water, fresh air, snow, or simply sitting quietly. Read more about the full ritual in our first-time guide.