At SAL Y SALUD, we have put together a short guide for anyone thinking of building their own salt cave, outlining the different steps needed before starting the project. Remember that you can count on our help throughout this process by purchasing our consulting package, saving time and avoiding mistakes.

1. Initial phase (planning)

   • Before beginning construction, a thorough assessment of the project’s feasibility is essential. This involves carefully analysing the available budget, size and scope of the intended design. It is also essential to obtain all required permits and ensure compliance with relevant local regulations.

2. Salt cave construction

   • The primary aim when designing and building a salt cave in business premises or at home is to reproduce the saline environment of natural salt caves or mines as faithfully as possible.
   • This approach allows us to generate a controlled microclimate with an atmosphere highly saturated with salt microparticles through a halogenerator, drawing on salt’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to help reduce inflammation and improve mucus clearance.
   • Excellence in applying this concept, in both design and technical execution, is particularly beneficial for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or sinusitis. Exposure to mineral salt microparticles also helps improve the appearance and health of the skin, stimulating cell regeneration and providing a fresh, soft feeling.

3. Initial salt cave design considerations

   • The room’s size and shape influence air distribution and the uniformity and stability of salt aerosol concentrations projected inside by the halogenerator, to provide controlled halotherapy of the highest quality for future clients.
   • Choose a halogenerator suited to the room’s size that offers a high degree of programming flexibility to create different salt aerosol concentration levels.
   • Include climate-control and humidity-control systems in the project to maintain a microclimate similar to salt mines or caves, as close as possible to 22 °C and 40% relative humidity.
   • Pay particular attention to calculating and designing active and passive air renewal systems during and after halotherapy sessions, controlled by the halogenerator, avoiding air currents that affect the stability of salt concentrations.

4. Materials

   • Salt caves are designed to provide a serene, relaxing environment. Each halotherapy centre can offer different themes and decorative settings, creating a unique experience. Some spaces evoke salt mines, while others draw inspiration from tranquil marine environments, fantasy and fairy tales, or futuristic scenes with planets and astronauts.
   • Materials can range from sprayed salt and Himalayan salt blocks to backlit vinyl, wooden beams, slate and sandstone. Materials and textures can be combined within one salt cave to help clients relax.
   • Ideally, materials should be natural wherever possible and do not cause allergic reactions through contact or inhalation inside the cave.

5. Other considerations

   • Lighting should be soft and relaxing, with customisation options for different relaxing environments.

6. Additional improvements

   • Elements such as soft music, natural decoration complementing the salt aesthetic, and various advanced technologies can be added to optimise respiratory and skin benefits, always bearing in mind that exposure to salt can affect them.

7. Additional advice

   • Furniture should resist salt corrosion; materials such as wood, stainless steel or treated plastics are recommended.
   • Electrical safety is also vital because of the presence of salt and humidity, using equipment suitable for humid environments.