FLAMINGO commode and shower chair: simple, lightweight and ready for everyday hygiene

FLAMINGO is a commode and shower chair from the Danish manufacturer Mobilex A/S. It is designed for people with reduced mobility who cannot safely use a regular shower cubicle, bathtub or toilet. It combines three functions: a seat for showering, a commode with a removable bucket, and a chair that can be rolled over a standard toilet bowl. FLAMINGO is a model with essential functionality and a fixed configuration. It is the right choice where ease of use and a lower budget matter more than extensive adjustment options.

The frame is made of white powder-coated aluminium. The seat, backrest and armrests are covered with soft polyurethane (PU) for good seating comfort. All materials are resistant to corrosion and to disinfectants. The chair weighs 12.6 kg and has a maximum user weight of 120 kg.

Who is the FLAMINGO chair for?

The chair is intended for people with limited standing ability and reduced or no functional ability of the lower limbs. This includes people who have difficulty walking, standing or sitting without stable support, for example after an amputation, as a result of injuries, or due to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular movement disorders.

With four small 5″ castors, the chair is pushed by a carer rather than propelled by the user. This configuration is particularly suitable for users who cannot move a wheelchair on their own, for example because of limited strength and grip or poor arm and hand coordination.

The chair can be used:

• in home care,
• in healthcare and long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and hospices,
• in hospitals.

Contraindications: the chair should not be used by people who cannot maintain a stable sitting position. Users with cognitive impairment must be supervised at all times while using it. We recommend that the choice of chair be preceded by an individual assessment of the user’s health with a specialist doctor or physiotherapist.

Key features

• Soft PU seat and backrest – pleasant against the skin and easy to clean and disinfect.
• 19 × 26 cm sanitary opening with a removable seat cover – with the cover in place, the chair works as a regular seat.
• Sanitary bucket with lid that slides in from the back on guide rails under the seat. A replacement bucket is available as a spare part (item no. 305026).
• Flip-up armrests – make sitting down, standing up, side transfers and access during washing easier.
• Detachable, swing-away footrests with length adjustment and fold-up footplates.
• Four 5″ swivel castors, each with a foot-operated parking brake.
• Lightweight aluminium frame – the whole chair weighs 12.6 kg.
• Suitable for reuse – after a technical check and disinfection, the chair can be passed on to another user, which matters for rental services and care facilities.

Three ways to use it

1. Shower seat. The user sits securely while washing, and the carer has easy access to their body. Lifting the armrests and swinging the footrests aside makes personal hygiene easier. The chair rolls into a level-access shower area with no threshold.

2. Commode with bucket. Simply remove the seat cover and place the bucket under the seat. After use, slide the bucket out from the back, cover it with the lid, empty it and clean it. This is especially helpful at night or when getting to the bathroom is difficult.

3. Over-toilet chair. With the bucket and seat cover removed, the chair can be rolled backwards over a standard toilet bowl. The pass-over height is 44 cm and the pass-over width is 34.5 cm. We recommend measuring your toilet before purchase (see the FAQ below).

Footrest adjustment

The length of each footrest is set separately: loosen the adjustment bolt, move the footrest to the required length and tighten the bolt again. Adjustment is in 2 cm steps. The footrests are set correctly when the user’s thighs rest flat on the seat and both feet rest on the footplates.

To remove a footrest, pull the release lever, swing the footrest to the side and lift it upwards. The footplates fold up to make sitting down and standing up easier.

FLAMINGO or KAKADU – which chair to choose?

Mobilex offers two lines of commode and shower chairs. They serve the same basic purpose but differ in the range of adjustment and the options for adding equipment.

Choose FLAMINGO if the user weighs up to 120 kg, sits comfortably on a 44 cm wide seat, will be pushed by a carer, and you do not need height adjustment or extra equipment. It is also a sensible choice when the chair is needed for a recovery period, or when a care facility is equipping itself with several basic units.

Choose KAKADU if the user weighs more than 120 kg or needs a different seat width. KAKADU is also the better option when the chair height must be matched to the toilet or the user’s height, when the user should propel the chair on 24″ wheels, or when accessories such as additional supports or a belt are needed. KAKADU can also be upgraded as the user’s needs change.

Will FLAMINGO suit my bathroom?

• Walk-in shower or a flush shower tray with no threshold – ideal conditions. The chair rolls straight into the shower.
• Shower tray with a raised edge or a bathtub – the chair cannot be rolled in. It can serve as a seat next to the shower tray or as a commode. For bathtubs, a bath bench or bath seat is a better solution.
• Door width – the chair is 54 cm wide overall. The clear width of the bathroom doorway must be greater, with room to manoeuvre the chair.
• Floor – the chair is for indoor use only, on flat, stable floors without obstacles.
• Toilet – the toilet bowl together with the seat must fit under the chair: pass-over height 44 cm, pass-over width 34.5 cm.

Safe use

• Always apply the brakes when the user sits down or stands up, when the chair is standing with the user in it, and when the chair is parked.
• Do not stand on the footrests or sit on the edge of the seat with your feet on the footrests.
• Never push the chair with the footrests removed while the user is sitting on it. The user’s feet must rest on the footplates.
• Do not leave the user unattended in the chair, especially with the armrests raised.
• When the seat cover is in place, the bucket with its lid must be fitted under the seat.
• All castors must be in contact with the floor at all times.

Cleaning and maintenance

Clean the chair with standard cleaning products and a soft cloth or sponge. The whole chair can be disinfected with commercially available disinfectants, following the instructions of the disinfectant manufacturer. Empty and disinfect the bucket after each use, using water no hotter than 80°C. When using a steam cleaner or autoclave, remove the handle, lay the bucket flat and do not exceed 10 minutes.

Lubricate the castor bearings with oil periodically. In areas with very hard water, remove limescale from moving parts. Please note: use in highly chlorinated environments can cause corrosion and voids the warranty. Regular servicing is recommended, covering the condition of the frame, wear parts and re-tightening of all connections. The expected service life is typically up to 10 years, depending on how intensively the chair is used.

What’s in the box

• main frame with 4 castors with parking brakes,
• removable seat with seat cover,
• removable backrest frame with armrests,
• 2 detachable footrests,
• sanitary bucket with lid,
• assembly tool set,
• user manual.

The chair is delivered in a carton for self-assembly. Assembly involves inserting and bolting the castor units, fixing the backrest with the knobs, sliding in the bucket, clipping the seat into place and attaching the footrests. No additional accessories are available for this model.

FLAMINGO is a Class I medical device compliant with Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) and carries the CE marking. The chair comes with a 2-year warranty against manufacturing and material defects.

Frequently asked questions

Will the FLAMINGO chair fit over my toilet?
Measure the height of the toilet bowl including the toilet seat. It must be lower than 44 cm, ideally with a margin of a few centimetres. Also measure the widest point of the bowl and seat below that height. It must not exceed 34.5 cm, which is the pass-over width between the frame elements. High “comfort” toilet bowls and wide toilet seats may not fit.

Can the user move the chair on their own?
No. FLAMINGO has four small 5″ castors and is pushed by a carer. If the user needs to propel the chair independently, choose the KAKADU model with large 24″ wheels.

Can the seat height be adjusted?
No. The seat height is fixed at 53.5 cm at the front and 52.5 cm at the back. The footrest length is adjustable. If the chair height needs to be matched to the toilet or to the user’s height, choose KAKADU.

What is the maximum user weight?
120 kg. For heavier users, KAKADU chairs are available (up to 200 kg, and up to 270 kg in the XXL version).

Can the chair be used in a shower cubicle with a shower tray?
Only if the chair can be rolled in over a flat surface with no threshold. The chair may only be used on flat, stable floors without obstacles. Do not push it over thresholds or the edges of shower trays.

Can I buy a replacement bucket?
Yes. The sanitary bucket with lid is available as a spare part, item no. 305026.

Is the chair suitable for care facilities and rental services?
Yes. The chair is suitable for home care, long-term care facilities and hospitals. After a technical check and disinfection, it can be used by another person.