I'm thinking of turning my bathroom into a fir sauna.
Wonder if this would work?
My bathroom is ideal for this.
-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
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- I tried that with an infrared heater and I hope my failure with that project can help you.
Much depends on the heater. I could not afford any "real" infrared sauna heater so got the bright idea that a portable room heater might work.
It did not. And it severely damaged my eyes, from the dryness of being around that heat source.
EYES can get far too dry, so be careful not to keep them open - especially do not look at the light at this close range. That warm orange glow can be deceptively inviting.
The heater I got just could not penetrate as when the heat is directed on the skin at a distance that might allow any deep penetration, well, it would be too hot to tolerate.
If the heater was on oscillation, the instant the heat direction left an area of my body, that part got really cold again.
Another thing to consider is the environment of the bathroom. Consider: Mold, off-gassing from any plastic (and I hope you don't have any vinyl shower curtains).
You'd want the bathroom to be very clean and pose no off-gassing assaults. Even if you are totally scent-free in all personal grooming products in the bathroom, those containers are likely plastic. You just don't want them getting too hot as they will off-gas.
Particle Board used in the cabinets? If so, this can also off-gas formaldehyde, etc.
For reference, this looks SIMILAR to the kind of infrared heater I got (I cannot locate it) - and just did not work:
[ 04-14-2012, 02:16 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- SAFETY
In one of those photos you posted, they have the electrical cord running through the empty bathtub.
NEVER something you'd want to do, even with it empty. There can be moisture that may stick around and if that gets into the outlets it could pose a rick of electrocution.
These kinds of heaters - well, really NO heater - should ever have an extension cord. That poses a risk of fire.
I can't quite tell the type of heat of those heater but it looks like the same kind I used, just it's vertical instead of round. With the way the light in the photo looks, it just looks very directional.
That cozy warm light glow just looks very similar.
Actually, that very site you posted is where I got the idea. I don't know how they did not turn into a crispy critter.
The heat LAMP, however, would not get too hot. It's much more gentle that a heater unit like I used.
I did not try the heat LAMP as, with a seizure disorder - and my balance all over the place, I just like to keep my distance from possible entanglements & breakage. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- From my notes, a different approach from that I took. ------------
it's important to note that those with MCS can be very sensitive to certain kinds of wood (cedar, pine, etc.). Be sure the wood frame would be from a kind known to be okay for MCS.
Styrofoam is also not recommended due to out-gassing. Glues, plastics, all that has to be considered.
So, I'm not sure these plans for a DIY light sauna would work for someone with MCS, the IDEA should, just needs to be with materials that are safe for MCS.
[MCS = multiple chemical sensitivities]
----------------------------
While a full unit and out of reach for most of us, the best kind for those with chemical sensitivities is Heavenly Heat. Perhaps you can get some ideas from them:
-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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I bought this one that was on the Doctors or the View shows. It looks like the tent one you linked, but it is way cheaper.
I actually found it on eBay for $239. It works really well for us. I don't know much about off-gassing except to air out what smells like it needs to be aired.
This sauna tent doesn't smell. We've had it for three months. I can only use it a couple times a week as it makes me herx some. But my husband uses and likes it too.
We are pleased with this purchase. And the bonus is it folds up and stuffs in a closet very easily.
Posts: 331 | From West Coast | Registered: Jan 2012
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Keebler
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- As your bathroom is tile, that sound great.
You may be able to buy a heater that is not a shot of direct heat. The kind that would go into an infrared unit. Or even the kind used for the tent saunas - then you would not need the tent.
I just could not locate such when I looked a while ago. But I think I stumbled upon one recently - just did not mark the site as the price was beyond me.
You could build a nice bench and just lie down (maybe "stand it up" when you are not using it). That would be ideal, I think. Nap time. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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Who would have thought buying a sauna would be so difficult.
There is so much information to wade thru.
I'm trying to find out where these units are made.
I absolutely refuse to buy anything made in China. I just don't trust them. They send all their unwanted chemicals and hazardous waste to us in the products they make.
No way am I buying anything made by them!!
-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
I am using a FIR portable infrared sauna like Deylin mentioned above and am having good results. In the beginning it was out-gassing but now I smell hardly anything anymore. A MCS smell-sensitve person could also disassemble the portable sauna and just use only these FIR-panels (together with some other selfmade insulation). In my unit there are 4 panels.
This would be the most affordable solution in my eyes.
Posts: 269 | From Germany | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
That FIR heater is MUCH different than my FIR sauna elements ... with my FIR sauna, you don't see any visible light. Not all wavelengths are the same, so if that is visible light, it's not the same as the FIR in the saunas.
Why not just get a portable sauna? They are not expensive and the one most people get can just be folded up and put under the bed.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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-------------------- diagnosed with MS, 1988-Diagnosed with Lyme Disease 2009. Also babesia and bartonella. Currently not on antibiotics. Taking Metalloclear for high lead and mercury since October 2012. Rifing since June 2012 Posts: 148 | From usa NH | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- If used, be sure it's not been used by someone who smoked, or wore cologne - or even in a home that has been smoked or scented.
there is an advantage to buying the tent type used in that at least it's had time to off-gas.
As this is the time when windows can start to fly open, this would be a better time of the year to buy one than late autumn.
Really, though, if you can get the right kind of heating elements (as SGK suggests) that would be corded to plug into a wall outlet, like the last links posted - I think your tiled bathroom might be just fine.
Be sure to have some intake of fresh air now and then. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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