Complete Guide: DIY Home Infrared Sauna

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COMPLETE GUIDE: UPGRADED DIY INFRARED HOME SAUNA

Infrared saunas are a relaxing way to break a sweat and enjoy the potential health benefits of infrared light and red light therapy. Whether you’ve experienced an infrared sauna at a high-end spa or are new to the sauna ritual, you can benefit from the convenience of unlimited spa sessions in the comfort of your own home with an inexpensive, easy-to-assemble infrared dry sauna.

Unlike a traditional sauna, the DIY near infrared sauna you will build does not require any special wiring, dedicated circuits, heating elements, or heating panels; is not steam generating; and does not require hiring a contractor. In fact, for $300 in supplies, and using nothing more than a screwdriver, you can build your very own infrared sauna with six zero-EMF 300 Watt TheraBulb infrared bulbs. Then you can relax and rejuvenate whenever you feel the urge!

What You’ll Need to Build Your Near Infrared Sauna

Clamp Lamps 4-6 brooder clamp lamps rated for 300 watts. We used the Woods Clamp Lamp with 10 Inch Reflector and Bulb Guard (300 Watt Bulb, 6 Foot Cord) These can be purchased on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3hXxpbA

Power Strips We recommend using two surge protectors with 6’ cords. These can be purchased on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3lN6GR2

Velcro Cable Ties These are used to secure the lamps to the stand and to keep the lamp cords out of the way. These can be purchased on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3hTOfI5

How to Assemble Your Infrared Sauna

Step 1: Put the Stand Together

Assemble the stand as described in the instructions. You may find that the wheels are not needed. We chose not to use them.

Step 2: Unwrap Clamp Lamps and Attach Velcro Straps

Remove the clamp lamps from the packaging. Leave the shatter guards unattached. You will use these in Step 4. Attach a Velcro cable tie to the end of each lamp as shown at right.

Step 3: Clamp Lamps to Stand

Step 4: Install TheraBulb Infrared Bulbs

Step 5: Connect Cords and Plug In Power Strips

Using Your Infrared Sauna

Now that you have everything assembled, you’re ready to let red light therapy work. To begin, let’s take a look at how an infrared sauna actually functions. The most important part of it is the heat source. In an infrared sauna, the heat source not only warms the surrounding air, but also emits red light and near infrared energy. These warm your body, penetrating deep into your tissue, even to the bone, offering benefits beyond those that heat alone can deliver.

The next step is to decide where you’d like to experience the soothing heat and near infrared energy. Fortunately, what you’ve built is a compact, portable sauna, so you will have plenty of options. Smaller spaces are preferable, as they require less time to heat, but you will want select the space based upon whether you want to create a one person sauna or one that can be used by multiple people at once. The ideal size is 5′ x 5′. Extra bathrooms, walk-in closets, and small bedrooms work well. The key point is that the sauna will be more effective if it is used in a small, enclosed space.

With your location selected, it’s time to start your first session. Put on your protective eyewear and switch on the bulbs. Take care not to touch the bulbs or the clamp lamp reflectors nor place anything flammable near them. Let the sauna heat up until the thermometer reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The greatest benefits of infrared therapy comes from directed light rather than ambient heat. Point your infrared lamps directly at your body and maintain a distance of 12-18 inches from the bulbs. (You generally shouldn’t point lamps directly at your head as this can cause rapid overheating.) Depending on the size of your sauna space and the number of bulbs used, the temperature will most likely continue to rise over time. Most people can safely stand temperatures up to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the warming sensation becomes uncomfortable, move away from the lamps until you feel more comfortable.

You can safely use your infrared sauna every day.

Safe Use of Your Home Infrared Sauna

Infrared and red light wavelengths are completely safe for your body. (They make up the warm part of sunlight, without all the dangers of UV light!) Nonetheless, it’s still important to follow standard safety tips for sauna usage. Here are some guidelines to ensure you have an amazing home sauna experience:

• Consult with a medical professional prior to using any type of sauna.
• Do not look directly into the infrared lamps. Just like any bright light, they can damage your eyes over time. Use your protective eyewear whenever you’re in your sauna.
• If you’ve set up your sauna in a bathroom or near water, be sure to use a power strip with a ground-fault circuit, and plug your lamps into a GFCI outlet. Be cautious of any potential electrical hazards.
• If your sauna makes you sweat heavily, be sure to supplement fluids and electrolytes before and after your sessions. Hydration is important, but so is replacing lost minerals and salts.

Getting the Best Quality Infrared Sauna Bulbs

To receive optimal results from your sauna, make sure that the most important component – the source of heat, red light, and near infrared (also known as NIR) – is of the highest quality. Not all infrared therapy bulbs are the same. Differences in manufacturing processes, materials, and quality control have a huge impact on your results.

An effective bulb will emit wavelengths between 400 nanometers (nm) and 1000 nm. This encompasses red light (650 nm – 699 nm) and near infrared (700 nm – 1000nm). Because near infrared is not visible to the naked eye, you will want to select bulbs that have had their output independently verified.

In addition to considering what comes out of the bulbs, you will also want to consider what goes into them – or what doesn’t. You’ll want a bulb that does not include such substances as lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. (TheraBulb™ products are CE and RoHS certified, meaning they are free of toxic materials.)

Save on the Best Near Infrared Bulbs

TheraBulb offers savings just for home sauna owners! Save $3.75 per bulb on four or more certified near infrared bulbs by entering the word SAUNA at check out or clicking this link: https://bit.ly/2Z6rpFY You can’t beat this deal for setting up your own infrared home sauna.