Sauna etiquette by type: Finnish, infrared, Korean spa, banya

Every kind of sauna has its own rules, and most of them exist for the same two reasons: hygiene and other people's peace. If you only remember one thing, shower first and keep your voice down. The rest depends on the kind of place you are in.

Everywhere

• Shower before your first round and after any cold plunge.
• Sit or lie on a towel. Sweat soaks into wood benches, and nobody wants yours.
• Phones stay out of hot rooms and changing areas. Heat damages them, and cameras near bathers get people banned.
• Drink water between rounds. Skip alcohol before and during.
• Leave if you feel dizzy, sick or too hot. There is no prize for staying longest.

Traditional and Finnish-style saunas

The hot room is usually shared. Ask before you throw water on the stones (loyly), because a burst of steam makes the room much hotter for everyone. Small ladles, not buckets. Co-ed public saunas in the US almost always want a swimsuit; a few traditional and members' saunas are nude or have gender-separated hours, so read the venue's rules. Between rounds, cool off with a shower, a plunge or outdoor air and then rest before going back in.

Infrared sauna studios

Most studios rent private suites by the session, so etiquette is mostly about time: arrive early, end on time and leave the suite clean (wipe the bench, hang or bin the towels as asked). Clothing is your call in a private suite. Start with a shorter session than the maximum if you are new.

Korean spas (jjimjilbang)

The bathing areas are separated by gender and are usually nude; the shared heated rooms are clothed, in the uniform the spa hands you at the desk. Shower thoroughly before any pool, keep hair out of the water and do not bring phones into the bath area. See what to expect at a Korean spa for the full walk-through.

Banyas and hammams

Banya steam rooms get very hot. Ask before adding steam, and if you want a venik (a leafy bundle used to fan heat and lightly beat the skin), take it to the attendant or a quiet corner rather than swinging it near strangers. In a hammam, follow the attendant's order for washing, steaming and scrubbing.

Bathhouses and contrast clubs

These are usually co-ed with swimsuits and booked by the session. Keep the cold plunge short at first, respect quiet zones and do not hog the plunge when there is a queue.