Remote control of ionic foot baths using Python code

August 2, 2025

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by sofia young

Remote control of ionic foot baths using Python code

You ever had one of those days when you’re so tired, the idea of walking over to your ionic foot bath to turn it on feels like running a marathon? Yeah, same here. A couple of months ago, I was mid Netflix binge, feet sore from standing all day, and I thought—”Wait, can’t I just automate this thing?” Spoiler alert: yes, yes you can.

That’s when I decided to build a remote control setup for my Ionic Foot Bath in Chicago and guess what? Python made it stupidly easy.

When laziness meets innovation

Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t think “foot detox” and “coding project” belong in the same sentence. But when you’re into gadgets and self-care, things can get weird (in a fun way). I figured: if I can build scripts to track crypto prices or automate my morning alarm, why not control a spa device too?

So here we are. I’m gonna walk you through how I connected a basic Chicago Ionic Foot Bath to Python using a Raspberry Pi and some GPIO magic.

5 basic concepts to get you started (but not in a boring way)

If you’re new to this kind of stuff, don’t worry. You don’t need to be a hardware wizard. Just keep these in mind:

Relay module: Think of it like a remote finger that flips a switch.
GPIO pins: The part of your Pi that “talks” to real-world devices.
Power isolation: Unless you enjoy sparks and regrets, separate low and high voltage properly.
Python’s RPi.GPIO module: That’s your command center.
Basic electrical safety: Just… please don’t fry yourself.

How I pulled it off (yes, with coffee and trial & error)

1. Identify your bath’s switch system

Mine had a simple on/off toggle. I took apart the panel to find the wires that control power flow. If yours is different, you might need to adapt. Some Ionic Foot Bath Chicago IL models use soft buttons instead of physical switches—those need a different approach.

2. Wire it to a relay board

I connected the bath’s power line to a 5V relay controlled by the Pi. Pro tip: if it smells like burning plastic, stop.

3. Code it with Python

Here’s a basic example with some useful improvements:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

# Set GPIO numbering mode
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

# Setup pin 17 as output
RELAY_PIN = 17
GPIO.setup(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.OUT)

def activate_bath(duration_minutes=30):
    print("Turning on foot bath...")
    GPIO.output(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.HIGH)
    time.sleep(duration_minutes * 60)  # Run for the specified duration
    print("Turning off foot bath...")
    GPIO.output(RELAY_PIN, GPIO.LOW)

try:
    activate_bath(30)  # 30-minute session
except KeyboardInterrupt:
    print("Interrupted by user")
finally:
    GPIO.cleanup()
    print("GPIO cleaned up.")

4. Add a remote interface (just for fun)

I threw together a little Flask app so I could turn the bath on and off from my phone. It’s not fancy, but hey—it works.

Real talk: why bother?

You don’t have to get off the couch. Ever.
If you run a spa, you can streamline appointments and save setup time.
It’s a cool brag at brunch: “Yeah, I coded my own wellness routine.”
Less exposure to electronics = longer device lifespan.
It just feels like you’re in a sci-fi movie. Seriously.

Final thoughts

Sometimes, self-care meets tech in ways that surprise even the nerdiest among us. And if you’ve got a foot bath, a Raspberry Pi, and a free weekend, you might as well give this a shot. You’ll learn a bit of Python, mess with hardware, and end up with the laziest, most satisfying spa setup in town.

So go ahead—connect that CIonic Foot Bath in Chicago to your code. You’re already smarter than half the devices in your house. Make them work for you, not the other way around.

Give it a try this week you’ll see!

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by sofia young