Wet saunas are disgusting mold traps.
Stick with IR. 🔴
1. Turn on IR sauna.
2. Take ozonated activated charcoal.
3. Hop in after 30 minutes.
4. Stay in for 20-30 mins.
Shoot for >165F over time, 2-3 times a week.
#Peatstr
Discussion
I'm sorry, can you please explain which mold survives more than 50°C++
Look inside the water bin the next time you go to the wet sauna.
I see. Valid point - it's cool enough there
Check it out.
Finnish all day.
What brand do you recommend?
Charcoal? This is my fav. Ozoneted. Absorption is superior to typical activated charcoal.
Just be sure to rehydrate with minerals and carbs later.
Almost all IF saunas on the market are nnEMF boxes. Even the brands that claim ultra low emf are misleading their customers - I can't remember the specifics of how they are getting away with this claim, it could be they are still emitting a ton of dirty electricity or something like that.
Anyway from my memory and research there seems to be only two IF sauna manufacturers that are truly very low or zero EMF. And of course guess what, they are both double to triple the price of the other manufacturers 😒
I don't have the company names at hand but I can post them later if you're interested.
Interesting, yeah if you remember them id love to know
Here you go
High Tech Health is a legitimate very low emf sauna. This is the one Dr Mercola uses, he's a psychopath when it comes to avoiding nnEMFs, he even wrote a book on the subject.
Clearlight sauna is another legitimate very low EMF sauna. This is the one Ben Greenfield uses. He's also a EMF psychopath.
There's also a company called Sauna Space thats zero or low EMF. But they use a tent set up and big red light type bulbs that get super hot. It's a hassle to use is the word on the street.
The first two are going to be triple the price, maybe more, of the cheap models you find on Costcos website.
At some point (in the near future hopefully) I'll be using some if my you know what to buy one of the first two manufacturers listed above 😁 I also want a traditional dry Finnish sauna to rotate days like Siim Land does 👍
That’s why you alternate between wet and dry sessions. You don’t need to worry about mold in a 210 degree box.
Pulled from #Grok -
Yes, mold contamination can be a legitimate concern with regular wet sauna use due to the high humidity and warm temperatures, which create an ideal environment for mold growth. Here are the key points to consider:
- **Conditions for Mold Growth**: Wet saunas, especially steam rooms, maintain high moisture levels (often near 100% humidity) and temperatures between 90–120°F (32–49°C). These conditions favor mold and bacteria proliferation if surfaces, ventilation systems, or drainage areas are not properly maintained.
- **Health Risks**: Mold exposure in saunas can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, or skin irritation, particularly for individuals with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems. Certain molds, like *Aspergillus* or *Stachybotrys* (black mold), can produce mycotoxins, potentially leading to more severe health effects with prolonged exposure.
- **Contamination Hotspots**: Mold can grow on sauna surfaces (wood, tiles, benches), in grout, under mats, or in poorly ventilated areas. Hidden areas like ventilation ducts or drains are particularly susceptible if not regularly cleaned or dried.
- **Prevention Measures**:
- **Ventilation**: Proper ventilation systems are critical to reduce humidity and prevent stagnant moisture. Saunas should have exhaust fans or air exchange systems.
- **Cleaning**: Regular cleaning with mold-inhibiting solutions (e.g., vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or commercial disinfectants) helps prevent buildup. Pay attention to corners, seams, and hidden areas.
- **Maintenance**: Ensure proper drainage to avoid standing water. Dry surfaces after use if possible. Inspect and replace damaged materials like warped wood or cracked tiles.
- **Design**: Saunas with mold-resistant materials (e.g., cedar wood, non-porous tiles) and sloped floors for drainage reduce risk.
- **Frequency of Use**: Regular use alone doesn’t inherently increase mold risk, but infrequent cleaning or poor maintenance does. Public or commercial saunas may pose higher risks due to heavier use and inconsistent upkeep.
- **Evidence**: While specific studies on wet saunas are limited, research on indoor humid environments (e.g., bathrooms, pools) confirms mold thrives in similar conditions. For example, a 2019 study in *Indoor Air* noted that poorly ventilated humid spaces had significantly higher mold spore counts. Anecdotal reports from sauna users and facility managers also highlight mold issues in neglected saunas.
**Recommendations**:
- For home saunas, establish a weekly cleaning routine and ensure good ventilation. Inspect for mold signs (musty odor, discoloration) monthly.
- In public saunas, inquire about cleaning protocols and ventilation maintenance. Avoid saunas with visible mold or poor upkeep.
- If you have health conditions making you sensitive to mold, consult a doctor before frequent sauna use.
If you suspect mold in a sauna, address it immediately with professional remediation if necessary, as unchecked growth can worsen over time.
A high-temperature wet sauna operating at 200°F+ is extremely rare, as wet saunas (e.g., steam rooms) typically maintain temperatures between 90–120°F with near 100% humidity to produce steam. If a sauna is both wet (high humidity) and consistently reaches 200°F+, it would still not be entirely free from mold risk, though the risk is reduced compared to standard wet saunas. Here’s why:
- **Impact of High Temperature on Mold**:
- Temperatures above 200°F can kill many mold spores and inhibit growth on exposed surfaces during active heating. Dry heat at this level can reduce microbial loads, including fungi, as shown in studies on sterilization (e.g., 200°F for 30–60 minutes can deactivate many spores).
- However, some mold spores (e.g., *Aspergillus* or *Stachybotrys*) are heat-resistant and can survive brief exposures or remain dormant, reactivating when moisture and lower temperatures return.
- **Challenges with High Humidity**:
- A wet sauna at 200°F+ would still have high humidity to generate steam, creating a paradox. High humidity (even at elevated temperatures) promotes moisture accumulation on surfaces, in cracks, or in hidden areas like ventilation ducts or under benches. These areas may not consistently reach 200°F, allowing mold to persist.
- During cool-down periods after sauna use, temperatures drop rapidly, and lingering moisture creates ideal conditions for mold growth, negating some of the sterilizing effect of the high heat.
- **Practical Limitations**:
- **Surface and Material Issues**: Porous materials (e.g., wood) or poorly sealed grout can trap moisture, fostering mold even in high-temperature environments. Hidden areas may not reach sterilizing temperatures.
- **Ventilation**: Inadequate airflow can trap humid air, increasing mold risk. Even with high heat, ventilation is critical to remove moisture.
- **Maintenance**: Without regular cleaning and drying, mold can establish itself in areas where moisture persists, especially if the sauna is used intermittently.
- **Comparison to Dry Saunas**:
- Dry saunas at 200°F+ (e.g., Finnish saunas) have lower mold risk due to minimal humidity, but even they require maintenance to stay mold-free. A wet sauna at 200°F+ would face greater challenges due to the constant presence of moisture, making it less effective at preventing mold than a dry sauna.
- **Evidence**:
- While specific studies on 200°F+ wet saunas are scarce (due to their rarity), research on humid environments (e.g., *Indoor Air*, 2019) shows that high humidity consistently correlates with mold growth, even in warmer settings. Anecdotal reports from sauna maintenance professionals also highlight mold in poorly maintained steam rooms, regardless of temperature spikes.
**Conclusion**:
A wet sauna operating at 200°F+ is not entirely free from mold risk. The high temperature may reduce mold growth on exposed surfaces during active heating, but the persistent humidity, cool-down periods, and potential for moisture buildup in hidden areas still pose risks. To minimize mold:
- Use mold-resistant materials (e.g., non-porous tiles, sealed cedar).
- Ensure excellent ventilation to remove humid air.
- Clean and dry surfaces regularly, focusing on corners and drains.
- Inspect for mold signs (musty odor, discoloration) frequently.
If such a sauna exists, rigorous maintenance is essential to approach a low-risk state, but complete elimination of mold risk is unlikely due to the inherent moisture.
It looks like Grok is mixing up steam rooms with Finnish saunas. If you leave your sauna wet all the time at low temperatures (90 to 120 degrees is an incredibly low temperature for any real sauna) then yes you may have problems. But with a real Finnish sauna (not the steam rooms Grok keeps talking about) alternating between wet and dry sessions definitely does kill germs, bacteria, and mold.
That's why, for example, Finns would give birth in saunas because they were such a sterile environment.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think IF saunas come close to 165f let alone greater than that. And dry sauna is the way to go for zero mold. I recommend both dry Finnish sauna and IF sauna if you can afford 👍
My favorite activated charcoal is from Global Healing. They ozonate it to increase absorption potential and add an additional anti-microbial effect.
Great to keep up hand for sauna use but also in the case of food poisoning.
#WorthTheSats
🛒 - https://globalhealing.com/products/activated-charcoal
