How much water is used in a sauna?

Water use inside a traditional sauna (wood fire or electric) is very important.  This allows the heat to travel around better and generates the humidity, great for the skin and hair.  But how much water is needed?  Not as much as we think.  For over 20 years of sauna building here, we have seen many saunas with drains.  The drains we see are dry and dusty, and look like they have never had water in them.  Why?  Because it has likely NEVER had water in the drain.  A drain is completely not needed inside a sauna. 

Hear us out. 

Proper sauna use is not to pour so much water on the stones that it goes all over the floor.  Yes, some splashing around might occur or even maybe someone accidentally dumps a bucket, but the löyly in a sauna does not actually have you using buckets of water.  The goal is STEAM and HUMIDITY.    (And the sweat is not enough to require a drain....)  Whatever falls on the floor is not likely enough to even make it to the drain and can be cleaned up with a small towel or maybe a mop.  

Keep Calm and Sauna On.....

We are not trying to get the humidity level up immediately by dumping so much water on the stones that it drowns the heater.  Relax and bath in the löyly, add enough water to the stones allowing the water to completely vapourize and generate the steam, and continue to add water to increase the humidity.  Once the rocks have completely steamed off the water, you can add more.  Gradually raising the humidity and allow everyone to embrace the löyly experience.