Steam Clean

Danielle Sonnenberg

	LineaAqua's Apollo Steam Shower

There's nothing better than taking a long shower after a hard day at work.

Now imagine adding a steam and sauna treatment to that -- you might never get out of the bathroom.

Then picture being able to listen to music or even talk on the phone while you're in your shower. Talk about multitasking. Well, you would have to work a lot to be able to afford these extravagant showers.

Take, for instance, the many offerings from LineaAqua, a high-end steam-shower manufacturer.

Steam showers, once the province of spas only, are enclosed units that incorporate water vapor and other extravagances into a regular shower.

Yury Rush, an employee at the New Jersey-based company, compares the standard features of LineaAqua's showers to a Mercedes, in that all the different classes have basic elements of luxury. "Our showers have features which include a rain shower, hand shower, AM/FM built-in radio, body sprays, on-board computer and a foot massager."

And just like with any other deluxe toy, appearance is essential.

According to LineaAqua, frameless showers are a growing trend. "A shower with [less] metal gives you the ability to have any decoration in your bathroom and to make your shower stand out, or be minimalist," says Rush.

Not surprisingly, the price increases with customization. "You'll need someone to cut glass, which is not an inexpensive venture," Rush points out. This can run into the thousands of dollars.

Even though all LineaAqua's steam showers are completely enclosed, they don't require ventilation.

And don't worry about your shower smelling. "The 'auto flush' feature works so that no remaining water will cause the mildew smell inside the unit when the steam is working," Rush explains.

While you're relaxing inside, put on some soothing music. The radio can pick up any station and has iPod connectivity so you can choose your own tunes.

For the ultimate in high-end, try the Apollo Steam Shower, one of LineaAqua's most luxurious models. It retails for $24,000 and has six adjustable body sprays mounted on mirrored glass, a hand shower and a seat.

You can even experience an acupressure massage from eight additional water jets, which are strategically directed onto your body.

Of course, bacteria are common under such humid conditions. This model, however, has an ozone-sterilization feature that kills bacteria and viruses at the touch of a button.

Private Sauna

Wasauna started as a brand of infrared saunas. "Then we expanded into steam showers when we realized the many benefits of steam and that our market was much broader than what we thought," says Michael Kanko, president of the Scottsdale, Ariz., company.

Kanko originally thought that the market would be geared solely to people in the health field, such as chiropractors, but then realized that the average homeowner was also a potential client.

"A lot of people are interested in the health benefits of steam, ... from relaxation ... [to] some evidence that steam also helps with allergies," says Kanko.

Wasauna specializes in all-in-one enclosures. The WAS-2245 ($5,100) can be used as a steam room, shower and whirlpool, which is ideal if your home doesn't have a lot of space.

The shower features 22 jets, which offer a soothing yet powerful massage. There's also room for two, so you won't have to be alone.

Don't worry about the mirrors clouding up -- they're fog-free, which is perfect when you're shaving in the morning.

If you want to add a home sauna into the mix, the WAS-2253 ($6,000) is ideal. You'll probably never need to go to a spa again with this combo in your bathroom. The two are right next to each other, so you can go easily from one to the other.

Like most of Wasauna's units, this one also features mood lighting, with the color going from a dark blue to a light red.

A radio comes installed as well, and a hands-free feature will connect the speakers to your phone line, so that the music can be interrupted if there's an incoming call. At the touch of a button, you can be connected to your call.

The Cost of Relaxation

Don't rule out these showers if they seem too expensive. There are sales from time to time, so check the Web sites to find better deals.

Most units have warranties, so rest assured your money will be well spent. You'll want this piece of mind, because once you experience a steam shower, you'll never go back to a run-of-the-mill bathroom again.

Further, installing a steam shower is a good investment, as it can significantly increase the value of your home.

Yes, this extravagant purchase might be accurately perceived as a want instead of a need, but isn't it the quality of life that counts? You won't regret it when you're enveloped in clouds of warm, comforting steam.

---

Enjoy the Good Life? Email us with what you'd like to see in future articles.

---