Going to the bathhouse is a whole ritual! The bath ritual includes an extensive action, the implementation of which will require quite a few little things, the so-called bath accessories. If you want to know what to take with you to the bathhouse, this article is especially for you.
Before going to the bathhouse, you need a special mood. You can’t go to the bathhouse in a bad mood, for a quick meal. After all, the bath brings balance to the physical and mental state. That’s why the most important thing in the bath ritual is a positive attitude.
When going to the kingdom of steam and heat, be sure to collect a special bath set, which includes:
Banya broom
Broom is the king of the entire bathhouse empire. Therefore, you must take it with you! Which one you choose is just your personal preference. How many brooms are there!
Each has its own purpose, its own healing properties. For example, juniper and fir brooms are what older people take with them to the bathhouse. Currant, linden - for lovers of aromas in the steam room. The eucalyptus broom is simply a storehouse of medicine, a real doctor in the bathhouse.
cap
A bath cap protects our hair from strong steam and dry air. The best option would be if you choose a hat made of wool or felt. Although some people prefer to wrap their head in a terry towel. True, at the most inopportune moment such a “turban” can come undone, and you will have to build it again. And it often happens that a person has to adjust his headdress several times, and this, you see, is very tiring and distracts from the main procedure.
Rubber slippers
There are also plastic slippers in retail sales, but they slip too much. It is very easy to fall in these slippers on a soapy bath floor.
Public baths and saunas are a habitat for fungal diseases. And it is not difficult to become infected with mycosis of the feet or other fungal diseases of the skin of the legs. Therefore, I strongly advise you to opt for rubber bath slippers (they have closed toes and heels).
Clothes and shoes for the bath
The selection of clothes for a bath should be approached seriously, paying attention first of all to its functionality and the requirements that are placed on it.
Kilt for the bath
This accessory is definitely included in the bath set for men.
It is presented in the form of a kind of men's skirt and is used in the same way as a sheet. But unlike her, the kilt holds securely on the belt and does not fall off. A kilt is indispensable when visiting public baths, where it is undesirable to have direct contact with a regiment or bench. This accessory will also come in handy in your steam room to conveniently hide from prying eyes.
This accessory is made from natural fabrics - linen, cotton, waffle fabric. However, the best option is a terry model. They are very practical, dense, perfectly absorb moisture, soft and pleasant to the body.
When purchasing a kilt, please note that it should not contain any buttons, hooks or other elements made of plastic, much less iron. Having basic cutting and sewing skills, you can easily sew this product yourself.
Steam room hats
This attribute is one of the most important during bath procedures.
The cap protects your head from overheating and your hair from drying out. It must be worn before visiting the steam room. Otherwise, you need to shorten your stay so as not to harm your health. Usually bath hats are made of felt or felt. Commercial steam rooms often offer cotton or linen accessories as an alternative, but they are significantly inferior in their protective properties to products made from thick fabric.
As for the models of bath caps, they are traditionally presented in the form of bells, budenovkas, cone-shaped triangles, hats with brims, and caps. The last two options are preferred by women. Often, funny designs or funny inscriptions are embroidered on steam room hats to cheer up the mood of steamers.
Proper care of the hat involves drying it after procedures and periodically hand washing it in warm soapy water. It is not recommended to machine wash felt products. They break into small pieces.
Bath slippers
A visit to both a home and a commercial bathhouse is indispensable without this accessory, where hygiene and safety must be taken care of first.
Slippers will protect you from contracting skin diseases. You can move freely in them and not be afraid of slipping. In addition, in slippers you will not come into contact with the cold floor. The best option for a steam room is rubber or felt shoes. The latter type is usually included in ready-made steam room kits. But it is undesirable to give preference to plastic products, since they slip very much on a wet surface. When purchasing slippers, choose models that do not stick to your feet and do not rub your feet. They should be comfortable.
Remember that steam room slippers are an item for personal use. It is not recommended to give someone your shoes or wear someone else's.
After bath procedures, you should wear clean, changeable underwear made from soft natural fabrics, such as linen or cotton.
Bath sheet
A sheet has many functions in a bath. For example, they wrap themselves in it when leaving the steam room. They lay it on benches and benches to protect themselves from hot surfaces.
A sheet can even replace our friend – a bath broom. If you are interested in how, then I advise you to read in detail the article on bath sheets.
Pile and buckets
All kinds of buckets, ladles and buckets, which will create a special atmosphere of comfort during bath procedures, will not be superfluous.
Gang
This is a special basin (barrel) made of wood, with a volume of 6 to 65 liters. It is used for ablution, and in some cases for steaming bath brooms. In private baths, it is recommended to provide each family member with a bath, taking into account the size and design of the product. In public baths, the number of wooden piles is determined by the area of the washing area.
Ladle
In public baths there are two buckets - for the washing room and the steam room. In the washing room, a large-volume ladle is used to collect water into basins or bowls; in the steam room, a small-volume ladle with a long handle is used for safely watering the heater. For those who like pouring, it is additionally recommended to purchase a 2-liter ladle.
The best option is a ladle made of wood or metal with a wooden handle. Plastic buckets are only suitable for wash bays.
Soap
In the old days, the bathhouse was called “soaphouse”. The name speaks for itself; soap is not in last place in the bathhouse. We use it to cleanse skin pores and get rid of sweat and oiliness. The most suitable for a bath are simple bath soap, or grandmother Agafya’s liquid soap.
They contain natural ingredients that have a very positive effect on our body. It is also worth noting that the natural components of the soap do not cause allergic reactions.
What to take from food and drink
Noisy young groups celebrating birthdays or other holidays in a bathhouse or sauna often drink beer and salted fish to go with it. Chips, nuts, and other crunchy, salty snacks are also used. Someone brings a whole collection of alcoholic drinks, but, as we have already noted, this has an adverse effect on the heart and blood vessels.
It is better not to load your stomach at all during bath procedures, but we can recommend taking your favorite drinks that replenish the fluid balance in the body: tea, juice, fruit drink, mineral water, compote.
For food, take light snacks: sliced fish and cheese, fruits and vegetables, vegetable salads, sandwiches. Japanese rolls and sushi are good options, or you can order delicious pizza or kebab.
Washcloth
We can talk about this bath attribute for a long time. Undoubtedly, the best are natural washcloths. After all, the quality of washing in a bathhouse and the cosmetic effect that our skin receives primarily depend on what material the washcloth is made of.
Natural washcloths are much tougher than artificial ones, such as body sponges. But, a bath sponge is simply irreplaceable when bathing small children. It will also help maintain your summer tan after your vacation.
Towel
The temperature in the steam room is high, even the shelves are heated, so it is advisable to have a towel with you that can be placed under it. The towel should be long enough so that you can lie on it, and when you go to the rest room, you can wrap yourself in it.
We recommend reading:
Spray device for a bath: advantages and disadvantages. Installation of a shower bucket for a bath
Some even sew a special elastic band into the towel so that it does not slip, and make pockets.
It is better to prepare two towels for the bath: one for the face and hair, and the other for the body.
Clean change of clothes
If after the bath you put on the same clothes, you can consider that the bath procedure is completely ruined! Clothes are taken to the bathhouse clean and tidy!
There is no doubt that it is advisable to have linen made from natural materials, such as linen, cotton, wool.
Synthetics fit very poorly on a steamed body, and our skin feels uncomfortable in such clothes. Loose, natural clothing will prolong the effect of the bath; it continues to warm our body and does not cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Bath accessories for water procedures
The next category is accessories for carrying out water procedures in the bathhouse, which include brushes, washcloths and various cosmetics.
Bath sponges
A washcloth is necessary in a steam room because it performs many functions:
- Cleanses the epidermis of dirt;
- Exfoliates dead tissue;
- Gives the skin freshness and elasticity;
- Stimulates blood circulation;
- Provides superficial massage.
In cheap sets, the washcloth is usually artificial.
Of course, it can be used for a bath, but it is better to give preference to natural products. They are made from bast, coarse flax fiber, loofah, cotton, and Chinese nettle. Such washcloths have an effective antiseptic effect on the body and provide a good preventive and therapeutic effect. You need to choose the hardness of the product according to your taste.
Brushes for the bath
These accessories are necessary for massage.
Usually several of them are purchased. Brushes with a long handle massage the back and back of the legs. Products with a short handle are suitable for massaging the abdomen, thighs, and legs. It would also be a good idea to stock up on a separate brush for your feet and heels. For these purposes, you can also use regular pumice. Traditionally they are made from wood, plastic or silicone. Natural products are healthier for the body, but have a short service life. Untreated wood, under the influence of changes in humidity and temperature, will soon begin to dry out and crack. Artificial models will last much longer.
When purchasing brushes for massage in a bathhouse, pay attention to the hardness and size of the teeth.
Bath towels
A bath set for women usually includes two towels - for the body and hair.
For men, as a rule, one large towel is enough. When visiting a steam room, it is better to choose products made from natural materials. Please note that a bath towel must be:
- Clean
. It must be washed after each visit to the steam room. - Big
. The towel is used to dry the entire body. The small one will get wet quickly. - Individual
. This is a personal hygiene item that should be used exclusively by the owner. - Soft
. The villi should not cause discomfort. - Good moisture absorption
. Towels made from natural materials perfectly absorb moisture. - Natural
. It does not cause irritation and is optimal for visiting the bathhouse.
Natural towels made from linen, bamboo and terry are expensive, but they will last much longer than synthetic ones.
Soap for bath procedures
To effectively cleanse your body of sweat and dirt, you need to wash thoroughly after the steam room.
Soap is a product that everyone should choose depending on their skin type and personal preferences. However, in the bath it is better to give preference to natural ingredients. In stores and pharmacies you can purchase special bath soap made from natural ingredients. It is hypoallergenic and will not cause irritation, redness or itching. Bath scrub soap has also proven itself to be excellent. Due to its particulate content, it perfectly cleanses skin pores. Sometimes coffee or honey is used for these purposes, which effectively cope with this task.
As for shampoo, it should be selected for your hair type. In general, the selection of any cosmetic products is very individual.
The listed accessories are not all that is included in the bath set. Additionally, you may need various creams and lotions, which should be applied to the body exclusively after the procedures.
Brushes
Brushes in the bath world are intended exclusively for massage purposes. They come with long handles; they are convenient for massaging the back area and the back of the legs.
Brushes can be made of wood, silicone or plastic. Wooden brushes are a tool for fighting cellulite! The type of wood the brush is made of plays an important role. Each tree has its own properties, aroma and benefits.
Wooden brushes have one significant drawback - they get wet from moisture, crack, dry out, and pathogenic bacteria very often settle in them.
Brushes made of artificial materials are more suitable in the bathing kingdom; bacteria will not settle in them, they will not crack, are well polished and are quite suitable for wet massage.
What do you wear to the sauna? Is a bathing suit appropriate in the sauna?
A swimsuit and swimming trunks are only useful in the sauna if it has a communal pool. It is not recommended to wear a swimsuit in the main room. The synthetic materials from which swimsuits are made cause discomfort to steamed skin; they do not absorb sweat and can lead to irritation. Kits with metal elements are especially dangerous: when heated at high temperatures, they can cause burns. For the same reason, before visiting the sauna, experts advise removing jewelry.
Drinks after the bath
After taking bath procedures I really want to drink. You can take with you a bottle of kvass, a thermos of green tea or any herbal teas. You can read more about what to drink after a bath in my separate articles on this topic.
In conclusion, I want to say that you cannot neglect the rules of personal hygiene in baths and saunas! Remember that it is through bath accessories that dangerous diseases such as scabies, lice, staphylococcus and fungal diseases can be transmitted.
The towel, slippers, broom, basin, robe must be individual! Use only what you took with you to the bathhouse, and do not lend your equipment to strangers.
From main to secondary
In the question of what to take with you to the bathhouse, as in other matters of bathhouse routine, there are no secondary things. Therefore, we can consider a kind of list of everything necessary for a full trip to the bathhouse to be somewhat conditional, because, as the Finns, the most famous experts in the world of saunas, say: “in the bathhouse everyone is equal, and all things are important.”
Bath broom
What do you take to the sauna, in the bare minimum? Of course, a broom. It has many purposes:
- According to the old Russian Finnish and South German tradition, a broom is used to take part of the “steam cake” from the ceiling and direct it down to the shelves. Therefore, the correct broom should have the shape of a fan, not a broom. In the northern German states and in public baths in Germany, this function of a broom is performed by a thick linen towel. They believe that they can collect and distribute steam better and more evenly.
- A broom is an indispensable tool for phytomassage. First, they independently warm themselves up with light grooming, and during the second entry into the steam room, the soaring person takes over, actively but judiciously treating the entire body, from the heels to the back of the neck - the back of the neck, in the apt expression of the bathhouse.
- The broom is used for Karelian massage. This is when the ribbed handle of a broom is used as a kind of massage roller. The science is not very sophisticated, but it has a lot of nuances. For example, the handle of a broom should be decorated with either linen twine or a soaked birch rod. What you can’t go to the bathhouse with is a broom tied with metal wire.
Important! It is still often possible to observe how the water in which the broom was steamed is then poured onto the stones of the stove. The Finns consider this a reprehensible and fundamentally wrong action.
A good broom should lose a maximum of two leaves during the entire soaring procedure. In Finland, for example, they don’t use a broom a second time. In our country, this option is allowed, although, in our opinion, it is wrong. But if you decide to reuse the broom, then until the second trip you need to store it in the refrigerator, at a temperature of 2 - 4 degrees Celsius.
Steam room hat
Made from wool, felt or felt. There are options made from cotton and linen. Protects the parietal part of the head from overheating and the hair from drying out. What to take to the bathhouse, a felted hat, or will a knitted, woolen, or ersatz option do? Our opinion is that felt is preferable and more comfortable. Felt is the softest and most delicate, but it is more a feminine material than a masculine one. You should not neglect the hat, especially when the shelf space involves taking procedures while sitting. It is in this situation that the ankles are in the coldest temperature environment, and the most vulnerable part of the head is in the hottest. Some adepts of hard steam use felt mittens as an addition to their hats. But they serve, rather, to protect hands in extremely hot environments from damage from hard parts of the broom handle. Let's just say, an accessory for an advanced amateur.
Towel
What to take with you to the sauna for drying. For full use, you need to have one large terry towel with thick pile and one smaller one. The first is necessary as bedding while in a steam room. In Germany, instead of a towel, a sheet made of linen, less often made of cotton, is used. Let us immediately note that you cannot use a sheet or towel for drying, since it actively absorbs and absorbs the sweat that is released profusely during steam procedures. The second wiping towel is used when the body is washed in the shower and the main sweat and fat secretions are washed away with water.
Attention! The bathhouse tradition does not accept the use of synthetic fibers in the bathhouse. Although they are strong, light and durable, in conditions of high temperature and humidity a negative effect on the human body is possible. Obviously, such options must be avoided.
Bath slippers
In your own individual bathhouse, in which there is no one except you and your family members, and the floors are insulated according to all the rules of construction craftsmanship, you can do without them. However, in public baths, this is a necessary item of personal hygiene. The humid and warm microclimate of the bathhouse is a very favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora, so the risk of infection with fungal diseases of the feet increases many times over. The optimal choice should be considered products with a semi-closed toe and an open heel, made of silicone. This material is hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, can easily withstand heating up to temperatures of 120 degrees Celsius, without signs of deformation or destruction. Silicone is moisture-resistant, easy to mold, resulting in excellent products that take into account the orthopedic features of the structure of the foot, both an adult and a child. Natural silicone does not slip on surfaces, including ceramic ones. Naturally, the qualities listed above refer to high-quality branded shoes, and the poor crafts of the Chinese industry do not apply to it. Little pleasant can be said about domestic products, which, upon closer examination, turn out to be remade “Chinese”, with just their chemical smell strongly reminiscent of Rezintrest galoshes of the 1957 model.
A word from Experienced! Rubber slippers, flip-flops and others are also of little use for a bath, at least in Germany; entry into the steam room is prohibited. And the Germans have a great understanding of a good bath and the right couple.
Headrest for bath
This item is something to take to the sauna for extra comfort. A proper headrest is a must-have item if you want to have the best experience. As we know, the most correct position in the steam room is horizontal. And in order to relax the neck muscles as much as possible and slightly raise the head above the level of the body, there is this simple and uncomplicated object. Its shape and design can be very diverse, from a simple wooden stand to a headrest - a massager. The only negative is its dimensions, although you can build a simple collapsible structure that won’t take up much space.
Salt, oil, scrub
This section is mostly for women. So, what to take with you to the bathhouse from cosmetology items. If you visit good luxury baths, then you don’t have to think about such little things, because a self-respecting establishment that values its reputation will offer you a wide and high-quality selection. If we need to worry about this ourselves, then we need to:
- Salt, for salt inhalations and wraps. In this regard, the choice of the modern market is wide and vast. Both Himalayan salt and sea salt are presented, of various colors, textures, chemical composition and origin. For the first time, it is better, of course, to test an unknown sample in an extremely small volume, and then go to the normal consumption rate.
- Oil. The oil can be in the form of vegetable fat, for example, unrefined virgin olive oil, for oil massage sessions. May be essential oil. Which, in essence, is a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon used for inhalation in the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases and increasing the tone and immunity of the body as a whole. What experienced women take with them to the bathhouse is citrus essential oil. It improves your mood if you dissolve it in water and splash it on the stove stones. And it also effectively fights cellulite. But here, in addition to the oil, you need a good experienced massage therapist who will conduct an anti-cellulite massage session using this product;
- Scrub. There is also plenty of this goodness on the market. But if you profess the principle: inexpensive and natural, then you can successfully use coffee grounds as a scrub, according to the classic recipe for use. What else should you take to the sauna as a scrub? The choice is very large and the question is rather a matter of personal preference and purely individual characteristics of the body.
A word from Experienced! If you decide that you need to take both salt and oil for the bath, and the bath is public, then you need to carefully predict the consequences of using such substances as inhalations. It is quite possible that some of the visitors shouted: “What are you poisoning us with here?” and instead of felt hats, they immediately put on tin foil hats.
Beverages
What to take to the bathhouse to quench your thirst? The choice is large and good:
- Herbal teas from: raspberry leaves and berries, rose hips, linden blossom and other riches of the native land;
- Black and green tea from the riches of the overseas region;
- Kvass made according to the classic recipe, based on black bread and malt;
- Fruit drinks, juices, drinks based on bee honey;
- Mineral still water;
By the way! If we take into account the Finnish tradition of visiting the local sauna, then the question of what drinks to take into the sauna does not arise, because they already know the answer to it better than anyone. And the most popular drink there will be beer. Obviously, beer is consumed after taking all the procedures and already at the rest stage. In Germany, some public baths serve only non-alcoholic beer; in the southern federal states, this rule is not observed and the famous Bavarian unfiltered wheat beer is patriotically consumed.
About food
What is needed for a sauna in terms of replenishing wasted energy? You need to go to the bathhouse, like a soldier, slightly hungry. Heavy, rich food, as well as complete abstinence from it before and immediately after the procedure, are inappropriate. Although, if immediately after the steam room you are very hungry, then when noting what you need to take with you to the sauna, do not forget about sausages. A good, solid sausage wrapped in foil, baked right there, with black rye bread, and mustard and cumin sauce replaces as many as four full meals in the dining room of the Presidential Administration, and maybe as many as five.
According to the old Russian tradition, you can arrange a hearty feast, but not earlier than 1.5 hours after leaving the steam room. Give your body a rest and tune-up. The dilemma of what to cook for the table in the sauna is decided in advance, based on one’s own preferences and capabilities. Here, as they say: “to whom a cucumber is a snack.”
About comrades
This section is not about what you need to take with you to the bathhouse, but who to take. And the question is more philosophical than practical and applied. It all depends on personal preferences and outlook on life from the height of past years. Some people don’t leave long after midnight without noisy company and conversations, some people go to the bathhouse for peace and cleansing; advising here is a difficult and thankless task. Therefore, it is better to remain silent than to talk too much. What should definitely be present in a bathhouse is respect, decency and mutual understanding. Even the ancient Romans said that: “your gold and your power remain beyond the threshold of the bath, along with your clothes.”
About contact lenses
Ophthalmologists also do not recommend wearing contact lenses in a sauna. The main arguments they give in support of the ban are the possibility of lenses drying out under the influence of high temperatures with subsequent deformation. The infections that opponents of lenses talk about in the sauna are quite rare. You can just as easily get an infectious disease if you do not properly care for your lenses. The solution to the problem will be disposable lenses. They are put on immediately before going to the sauna or pool and thrown away immediately after use.
