Sauna Market Finland, Helsinki

Consider that roughly five million Finns own over two million saunas and you get an idea of how popular these units are in Finland. But their popularity is now worldwide. Ancient in use, saunas are virtually sterile environments where one can cleanse their body of impurities but also use the steamy rooms to prepare food and even give birth.

Many visitors to Helsinki try either a wood stove or smoke sauna, experiencing the dry heat, a refreshing shower, and then a repast of sausages with beer.

The wooden buckets and ladles used to throw water over one’s body in the cleansing process are made of birch wood, often with invisible seams, and topped with strips of decorative wood. They are smooth to touch. Some will have form-fitting and removable plastic inserts to hold water.

To find good quality wooden buckts and ladles, try the Sauna Market Finland on Aleksanterinkatu.

What to buy here: Sauna Bucket & Ladle.