The purpose of pefletti is to maintain good hygiene, in a public same-sex, nude sauna,[1] by preventing genital contact with the bench. Another reason is to prevent an uncomfortable feeling because of, and to better bear, the heat, by using a seat cover.[2]
The pefletti come in both disposable and re-usable varieties.
The word pefletti is a combination of the Finnish words "peffa", which is a mild slang word for one's behind, and "tabletti", meaning placemat.
The pefletti has a role in the very traditional yet varied sauna habits in Finland; it is one of the “do’s … of the Finnish sauna.”[3]
The larger kind of "pefletti" made of linen or cotton fabric, that covers either the majority of the width of the sauna bench, or a single seat of the bench and backrest for one sitter is called a laudeliina. This cloth is usually washed after each use and used for sanitary and comfort purposes such as the pefletti.
