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Finns think the key to the best löyly is an atmospheric, wood-heated cottage sauna with its fragrant, oxygen-rich, moist and gentle löyly. Cottage sauna löyly is enjoyed unhurriedly in good company, with refreshments and the occasional dip in the lake.
Consensus on the heating method
More than 600 Finns responded when we asked what makes unbeatable löyly. The greatest consensus was on the choice of heater. Over half of the respondents said that wood heating is the secret to good löyly. 22 respondents mentioned the smoke sauna. Only two respondents favoured an electric heater. One respondent felt the electricity bill alone is enough of a heat source:
“Pin the electricity bill on the wall and sweat while looking at it.”
Gentle or fierce löyly?
Many respondents commented on the sauna temperature. Fans of mild, easy-going löyly (59 respondents) beat the advocates of fierce, sharp löyly (17 respondents). Most agreed diplomatically that the sauna temperature just has to be right.
“the pleasantly soft and warm löyly of a wood-heated sauna ❤”
Dry löyly won't do
As many as 107 respondents valued moist löyly, and 49 gave a thumbs-up to its close relative, soft löyly. Oxygen richness and a pleasant scent of the löyly and the sauna were considered equally important (34 respondents each).
“Pleasantly warm, oxygen-rich and moist löyly in the garden sauna 🧡🍂🍁👌”
Take your time in the sauna
Besides the löyly, many other things need to be right for the perfect sauna experience. A sense of not being in a hurry matters to 41 respondents. The right atmosphere was mentioned by 21 sauna-goers. Many like to gaze at the beautiful views from the sauna window (14 respondents).
“The atmosphere! It changes every time depending on the company – the main thing is that everyone enjoys themselves and there is time to slow down. Sometimes it's lovely to have deep conversations in the warmth of the sauna, sometimes to enjoy the löyly on your own in silence. Every time is different”
The location matters – the cottage sauna comes first
Finns are a nation of cottage-goers, and many (41 respondents) feel the best löyly is found in a cottage sauna. A garden sauna is specifically mentioned by 25 respondents and a lakeside sauna by 18. The lakeshore is especially important for the 14 respondents who like to take a dip in the lake or an ice hole between rounds.
“Ideally there should be a real birch vihta on the benches. I enjoy long, mild löyly, not being boiled red. Every now and then a cold shower, or in summer open water too. And mineral water to sip.🥰”
Finns don't want to be alone after all
The right company matters a great deal to 50 respondents. On the other hand, 10 respondents longed for silence and peace. 18 respondents like to enjoy refreshments. According to 15 respondents, a vihta (birch whisk) is an absolute must in the sauna.
“A clean sauna, a good seat cover, a sauna drink and a proper amount of water in the bucket 🇫🇮👍🏻 a true Finn enjoys the sauna every day, summer and winter 🤩”
Respondents also mentioned sauna cleanliness (6), a heat-storing heater that is fired once (4), the right kind of sauna stones (3) and good benches (2). The survey was conducted in October 2022 on Ehtasauna's Instagram and Facebook pages.
“Moist löyly that hisses for a long time, welling up from deep in the stone pile; from a smoke sauna or a heat-storing sauna.”
Need help getting a cottage sauna?
Thinking of getting a cottage sauna with unbeatable löyly?
We at Ehta build cottage saunas at our factory and deliver the whole With over 1500 saunas delivered in Finland.
The cottage sauna is available both ready-assembled and as a self-assembly kit. Ask us more – we're happy to help!
