Frequently Asked Questions

Lots of answers here!

Frequently asked questions

Don’t worry about asking!

If you haven’t floated before, you’ve probably got a bunch of questions about the whole thing, and perhaps some concerns.

This is very common and totally understandable.

Here are answers to some frequent queries…

What is floatation?

It’s pretty simple really. You float in warm water saturated with Epsom salt, with the distractions of sound and light minimised. Your body floats like a cork, a bit like in the Dead Sea. You are so buoyant that you can totally relax all your muscles, and let go of tensions. You float naturally and effortlessly, and the support of the water makes you feel weightless. All the work that the mind and body usually have to do just to resist gravity becomes unnecessary, and you are able to let go and relax into a blissful state. Find out more here.

Why float?

Floatation brings a wide range of benefits for different people. Some examples are pain relief, stress relief, sports rehabilitation, or as an aid to meditation. You can find out lots more here.

Will I feel claustrophobic?

Lots of people express this concern before they first float, but end up feeling safe and comfortable. You are in full control of your environment when you float. You are free to get in and out whenever you wish. Some people prefer to keep the door open and the light on, which is fine. Others prefer to minimise distractions. There is no right way of doing it. Floating in silent darkness gives the sense of being suspended in limitless space. Our advice would be to give it a try – we think you will be very pleasantly surprised. In fact, you probably won’t want to get out at the end!

Have a read of our blog for more about claustrophobia.

How do you make sure it's clean?

The float environment is considerably more hygienic than a swimming pool. You shower before and after the float. The water is circulated through a very fine filter several times between each use. In addition, the water is treated between each use by a combination of high intensity ultra-violet light and a measured quantity of safe odourless sanitiser. The water is tested regularly, so you can rest assured that we uphold the highest standards of cleanliness.

Follow this link for more about how we keep the water clean.

How many people can float at once?

We have 3 float pods, so 3 people can float at once, each in their own private room. Find out more in this short video, and book a single float, ‘Bring a friend’ or a Trio float here.

How long does a float last?

The float itself is one hour long. However we recommend that you allow two hours for the whole visit. This is because you will need some time beforehand to be shown around (particularly on your first visit), time for showers and getting dressed, and some time afterwards to relax before heading off.

If you think an hour sounds like a long time, have a read of our blog on time floating (it won’t take long to read!)

What do I wear while I'm floating?

We recommend that you float naked, but of course it’s up to you. You will be in your own private room, with a shower and a lock on the door. Pretty much everyone floats naked, and finds it more comfortable that way. The sensation of fabric against your skin can be distracting during your float, and being naked means you can feel truly free. Would you wear a swimming costume in the bath?

Can I fall asleep during a float?

The experience of floating is so relaxing that it’s not unusual to fall asleep, and that’s fine. The gentle support of the water is more comfortable than any bed. If you do drift off, you probably needed it! It’s perfectly safe, and the water is so buoyant that it is very difficult to turn over. If you did manage to roll over, the worst that could happen is waking up to a bit of salt in the eyes. Follow this link for more about falling asleep while floating. Floating can also be very helpful for improving your sleep patterns.

Can I float if I dye my hair?

You must be certain that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float.

This is because it can contaminate the float solution and stain the float pod.

It is costly to put this right, because it involves dumping the contaminated float solution, working to remove the stain, and refilling with fresh water and Epsom salt and reheating. This takes 36-48 hours, and any floats planned during that time will need to be rescheduled, resulting in lost income.

By coming to float you accept liability for any such costs, and you agree to pay them immediately they are incurred. These costs will be at least £1639.

Different types of dyes take different amounts of washing to get to the point where no colour comes out any more, so the period of time since you dyed your hair and the number of times you have washed it are not the only considerations.

It is possible to float regularly and dye your hair regularly too, you just need to take care with the timings of your appointments.

Some ways to test at home before you come to float include ensuring that no colour comes out of your hair in the water when you shower, and that no colour comes off on a white towel when you vigorously dry your hair.

If you arrive for your float and the staff have concerns that colour may come out of your hair when you float, you may not be allowed to float. You may be invited to test that no colour comes out by allowing a small part of your hair to be soaked in Epsom salt solution, and rubbed with a white towel. If you decline to test your hair, or if any colour comes off when tested, then you will not be allowed to float. There is no way around this, and wearing a swimming cap will not help. You will not receive any refund, and you will not be able to reschedule.

It is up to you to make sure that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float, and if in any doubt do not book until you are sure.

There is some general information about things you should and shouldn’t do before your float here, and you can find our Terms & Conditions here.

Can I float with fake tan?

Sorry but no. You need to make sure you have removed any fake tan before you come to float. Check out the reasons why in this short video from Shari…
(Thank you for your understanding with this)

What should I bring?

You don’t need to bring anything but yourself and an open mind! We provide towels, toiletries, earplugs, a vaseline-type product (for covering minor cuts and grazes), and hairdryers. You may wish to bring your own cosmetics or toiletries if you prefer, and if you wear contact lenses, please bring your kit to take them out. You can find out more about some of our suppliers and why we chose them here. Find out more about preparing for your float here.

How will I know when my float is over?

Even if you fall asleep during your float (which is fine), you can rest assured that you will know when it is coming to an end. Find out more in this short video:

Can I float during pregnancy?

Like many things, floating is not advised during the first trimester. It is also not recommended too soon after giving birth, until you have healed. Other than those times, floating can give profound relief from the physical strains of pregnancy. The uniform and gentle support of the water offer a comfort which cannot be found elsewhere. If you are finding lying in bed uncomfortable, the feeling of weightlessness that floating offers will be a revelation. Floating offers a real rest for you and your baby.

Find out more on our pregnancy page, and you may also be interested in this first-hand report.

Is it private?

Floating is a very private experience. You float in your own fully private room, with your own private shower for your exclusive use, and a lock on the door. This is a place you can truly rest, and a time which is yours alone.

Follow this link for more about privacy and floatation.

Will I really float?

Maybe you’re wondering “Will I really float?” Maybe you don’t float easily in a swimming pool or the sea… fear not! Here’s why you will definitely float in the float pod…

What should / shouldn't I do before my float?

There are some basic rules we ask you to respect:

Please don’t come to float under influence of alcohol or drugs.
Please don’t come to float if you have any open wounds, partly for hygienic reasons, but also because the salt in the float pod will make the wound uncomfortable.
See other FAQs about hair dye, floating while on your period, and after recent tattoos or piercings.

For your comfort, we also recommend that you do not come to float after:

Caffeine (within the last 4 hours)
A large meal within the last hour or so
Waxing (eg within the last 24 to 48 hours)
Shaving (eg within the last 12 to 24 hours)
Recent vigorous sex
Soon after giving birth (before you have healed)

… as these are likely to detract (and distract) from your experience. Find out more about preparing for your float here.

Shari talks about some of these things in this short video:

How do I book 2 simultaneous floats with 2 payment methods?

Are you hoping to book 2 simultaneous floats using 2 separate payment methods? It might be that you have 2 separate single float gift cards, or maybe one of you has a gift card and the other is paying separately.

You can book two floats at the same time using 2 separate payment methods. Here’s how:

Go to the booking page here.

First find a time when both pods are free by looking at ‘Bring a friend’.

Then go back and choose ‘float’ and book person 1 in with their name, contact details and code / payment method.

Finally, choose ‘float’ again and book person 2 in with their name, their contact details and their code / payment method.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can find a time when two pods are free by looking at ‘Bring a friend’ then just give us a call.

Can I float if I've recently got a new piercing or tattoo?

If your tattoo or piercing is not fully healed, it is going to sting when it comes into contact with the salty water. We advise that you wait 3 – 4 weeks after getting your tattoo or piercing, before floating. As a test, try applying hand sanitizer to the area. If it stings, you’ll want to wait a little longer before you get in the float pod.

There is also some general information about things you should and shouldn’t do before your float here.

What if I struggle to switch my mind off?

Lots of people express this concern, as having a busy mind is very common!
Shari explores how she has learnt to slow her mind down and how floating could help you too, in this short video:

Who shouldn't float?

Those who:

have open wounds, sores, or rashes
have a contagious illness or disease
are incontinent
have uncontrolled kidney disease
have uncontrolled psychosis or schizophrenia
are allergic to Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) or hydrogen peroxide
have an uncontrolled seizure disorder
have an uncontrolled heart condition
have a condition which means they shouldn’t get water in their ears
recently had chemotherapy
are a risk to themselves or others due to the influence of any drug including alcohol
… and those who do not respect the staff, facilities and fellow floaters at Float in the Forest

If in any doubt about whether you can float with your health condition, please consult your doctor first, and we’d be happy to provide a document to explain to them what floating is all about.

You can find our Terms & Conditions here.

Can I float if I am menstruating?

Yes, if you use a tampon or menstrual cup to control your menstruation, as you would in a swimming pool.

I'm tall, will I fit in the pod?

No need to worry, the inside of the pod is 7.5 feet or 2.3m long, so unless you’re taller than that, you will fit no problem.

Find out more about our float pods here.

Do I have to stay in the whole time?

You will be in full control of your float, and have your own private room. Certainly you can get out any time, and back in again if you like, as many times as you like during your session. However, most people find that time flies when they are floating.

I have limited mobility. Can I float?

Float in the Forest is on the ground floor, predominantly on a level, with some 1:12 ramps. You must be capable of independently moving around the float centre safely. Getting in and out of the float pod is similar to getting in and out of a bath, so you must be able to do this unaided, or be accompanied by someone who is qualified and insured to help you with this. Please see our mobility and accessibility page for more information.

Will my skin go all pruney and wrinkly?

This is quite a common question, as we all know this happens if you stay a while in a bath or swimming pool.

However it doesn’t happen in the float pod, in fact your skin will feel great after your float, as Will explains here:

Do I have to turn the light off?

The pod light button is in your control throughout your float. You can choose to float with the light on, turn it off, or put it on the rainbow cycle. You can change your mind at any point during your float. We encourage you to try floating with the light off, knowing that you can turn it back on at any point, as Will explains here:

How do I book?

You can book your float here.

We can’t wait to host your float!

What if I can't find the light button in the dark?

This is a really natural concern, but no need to worry.
Shari has a little tip to help you find it, so that you can choose to float in the dark knowing where it is.

Will there be music in the pod?

When you first come to float, we play a short piece of music at the beginning of your session. This is to ease the transition from the high level of sensory input of the everyday world, into the reduced level of sensory input of your float. After a few minutes, this music fades to silence.

We encourage you to embrace the peace and quiet, as part of the magic of the float experience. We often find that people tend to get the deepest relaxation and the greatest benefits from floating in the quiet darkness. Many of the benefits of floatation arise from the reduced sensory input. It is rare to get such an opportunity for peace!

Five minutes before the end, the music returns to gently let you know your float is reaching its conclusion.

Here are a few words about it from Shari:

And some thoughts from Will about releasing our attention from the external world:

Will my ears be underwater?

When you lie back in the water your ears will be underwater.

Ears underwater while floating

We provide earplugs which you can wear if you choose, but either way you’ll need to give your ears a good rinse out in the shower afterwards. Will explains more in this short video:

Can I bring a friend?

Yes, please do! Each float pod is designed for just one person to float in at a time, and each one is in its own private room. We have three float rooms, so three people can float at the same time. It can be a lot of fun to go for a float with a friend or partner. That way you will emerge from your float rooms at the same time, and can share the blissful post-float glow in the lounge with a cup of tea together.

You can book two simultaneous floats (called ‘Bring a friend) or a ‘Trio float’ on our booking page.

Do I have to close the door?

You are in control of the pod door throughout your float. It is completely manual, and easy to open and close. You can choose to have it open, closed, or part-way, and you can change your mind throughout the float. Will explains more here:

Can't I just float in my bath at home?

Maybe, if you’ve got 550kg of Epsom salt, a heated bath, a very strong bathroom floor, and more…! Sometimes we hear people ask this question, so we have written this blog to satisfy your curiosity.

Should I eat before my float?

Ideally you don’t want to be either too full or very hungry when you come to float, as Shari explains in this short video:

What if I suffer with motion sickness?

If you suffer from severe motion sickness in other circumstances (eg in a boat, car etc), there is a chance you could suffer from it in the pod. If you usually use medication to control your motion sickness in these circumstances, you may wish to consider doing so in the case of floating.

What can I expect when I come to float?

We will show you around the centre and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

You will be shown to your own private room with your own personal shower and float pod. You will shower before your float, including washing your hair. Float and emerge transformed, having another shower afterwards to wash off the salt water.

Then you can enjoy your relaxation in the post-float lounge where there will be teas, books, artwork and comfy chairs. Take your time and relax! Find out more about preparing for your float and after your float here.

What is sensory deprivation?

You may notice that some people use the phrase ‘sensory deprivation’ to describe floatation, but that at Float in the Forest we don’t tend to. Find out what it means and why, in this FAQ video..

I can't swim - what if I sink?

No need to worry. It is physically impossible to sink in the float environment. The density of the human body is about the same as water. The Epsom salt solution is 30% more dense than water – that’s even more dense than the Dead Sea. This means that you will float effortlessly on the surface of the solution, buoyed naturally by the difference in density. The water is only 10 inches deep, and you will float like a cork with your face above the water.

Follow this link for more about why you don’t need to be able to swim.

What if I need to use the toilet during my float?

That’s fine. You just need to get out of the pod, have a quick rinse off in the shower, grab your towel or robe and head down the corridor to the toilet. When you’re done just go back to your room and carry on floating!

What temperature is the water in the float pod?

The water in the float pod is skin temperature, so after a while it should feel neither hot nor cold, but neutral. Will explains how the temperature forms part of the sensory aspect of floating in this short video…

When will my float begin?

We ask that you aim to arrive a few minutes before your appointment time. If it’s your first float then we’ll go over things with you and show you around the centre. Everything will become clear when you arrive, however you can also find out more in this short video…

How often do you float?

People frequently ask us how often we float. We at Float in the Forest float regularly ourselves, for our own health and wellbeing, and also to help you get more out of your floats. Find out more in this short video….

Do I have to tie my hair up?

It’s completely up to you. If you do tie it up, we recommend you do it loosely, as if it is too tight that could be a distraction during your float.

How do digital gift certificates work?

As you may know, we offer digital gift certificates, which you can find here.

Sometimes people have questions about how they work: how to order them, how will they receive the certificate, how to pass them onto the recipient, and more. Shari answers all these questions in this FAQ video…

Can I book a float for someone else?

Thanks for thinking of booking a float for someone else, what is a lovely idea!

Please bear in mind a few things: you’ll need to know that they are able to agree to our terms & conditions (for example regarding health conditions), there are some things they’ll need to do in advance of coming, and other things that will help get the most out of their float experience.

Shari talks you through some things to consider if you’re booking a float for someone else, in this short video…

What time should I arrive for my float?

Please aim to arrive 5 minutes in advance of your appointment time, and allow extra time if you haven’t visited the float centre before. When you book you will receive a confirmation email with our address, and you can also find our location here.

Someone's giving me a lift. Where can they wait during my float?

Are you getting a lift to the float centre? That’s great. Please bear in mind that we recommend allowing 1 hour and 45 minutes for your whole visit. The lounge in the float centre is reserved for people after their float, but we can point your wonderful ‘lift-giver’ to a range of lovely local places, just ask us!

How far in advance can I book my float?

The short answer is that you can book your float with us up to 2 months in advance, and you can do so here.
Shari explains a bit more in this short video…

How much does a float cost?

We are committed to simple, clear and fair pricing.

Choose from a single float, float on with a pack of three, or make regular floating part of your life with a membership and get the very best deal.

We want to share the cumulative benefits of floating with as many people as we can, so these options are priced so that the more often you float, the more you save. Read full details of the options and prices here.

Can under 18s float?

The minimum age to float with us here at Float in the Forest is 18. We may require you to produce photo ID as proof of age.

If you are under 18, or know someone who is and who would like to float, we would be happy to point you to other float centres where you can do this, just contact us to ask.

How does the referral programme work?

For every 5 people you send our way to float for the first time, you can earn a free float!
Find out more, including how to make sure we know to give you the credits, in this short video..

How does float membership work?

Check out our video about float membership below.
You can also find out more about membership and apply to join here.

Can I bring my dog?

We love dogs, so we completely understand if you need to factor them in when making plans. We would love to say hello to your dog if there is the opportunity, but unfortunately your dog can’t come into the float centre. This is partly because we have our own dog Chai, and partly because not everyone likes dogs.

Please don’t leave your dog in the car, even more so in the wamer weather. As The Dogs Trust say, “A dog could die in a hot car in just minutes. Winding a window down is not enough to help your dog stay cool.”

Thankfully we have another option… local dog-walkers!

A dog-walker may be able to come to meet you at the float centre just before your float appointment and collect your dog, then bring them back 2 hours later having had wonderful forest adventures.

Please arrange to meet your dog walker outside the float centre 15 minutes before your float appointment time, and let us know when you have made the arrangement.

Of course this all depends on the dog-walkers’ availability and criteria, so please reach out to them as far in advance as possible, so you can find out about their availability and match this to available float times.

We can personally recommend:

Rachel from Rachel’s Rambling Rovers, who may be available during the 10am floats only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email Rachel on rachel@rambling-rovers.co.uk

(In this video we also mention Lisa from Paws a While With Me, and Cat from Cat’s Dog Walking, but unfortunately they can no longer offer this service)

Will you extend the expiry date of my gift card?

Sorry, no, we don’t extend expiry dates.

Gift cards may only be used for a float which takes place on a date before the expiry date. Expiry dates are fixed and will not be extended. After the expiry date the gift card is no longer valid and cannot be used.

We aim to make the period of validity clear by stating it on the pricing page prior to purchase. We also show the expiry date on the checkout page, on the confirmation screen after purchase, on the confirmation email, as well as on the digital certificate and any physical gift card.

During the period of validity of each gift card we provide many hundreds of opportunities to float. Providing these opportunities incurs costs whether the recipient of the gift card chooses to take them or not. This is why it is necessary to have expiry dates and why we do not extend them.

If you don’t want to use your gift card prior to the expiry date, you could choose to pass it on to someone else who would like to. They would need to be able to agree to the terms and conditions.