A washerwoman at work in Löyly Oy’s sauna

A washerwoman at work in Löyly Oy’s sauna

A washerwoman dressed in a white coat soaping up the back of a man lying face down. There are white tiles and a sign with the text “Using soap in the sauna or going to the sauna covered in soap is strictly prohibited” in the background.

The public saunas built after the wars were bright and clean spaces where washerwomen dressed in white provided a relaxing moment of cleansing for an increasing number of ordinary city residents.

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A washerwoman dressed in a white coat soaping up the back of a man lying face down. There are white tiles and a sign with the text “Using soap in the sauna or going to the sauna covered in soap is strictly prohibited” in the background.

Public saunas

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Helsinki City Museum / Kari Hakli