Here’s How to Clean & Care for Your Hot Tub

Soaking in a hot tub can be a relaxing and rewarding experience. However, if it isn’t properly cleaned and maintained your hot tub can quickly go from a soothing oasis to a potential health hazard. It can also result in costly repairs. Fortunately, with regular cleaning and some basic hot tub maintenance, it’s easy to soak safely. Here’s how.

Balancing Your Hot Tub Chemicals

Maintaining proper alkalinity and pH balance in your hot tub’s water helps ensure a cleaner, safer, and healthier spa. Hot tub test strips are a quick and easy way to monitor levels and let you know when your hot tub chemicals require adjusting.

Hot Tub Alkalinity

Balanced alkalinity helps control pH levels, and your hot tub should have a total alkalinity level of 80-120mg/l ppm. Below this, water can become corrosive and acidic. It may also cause water to turn green as a low alkaline hot tub can no longer balance phosphates, which feed algae. On the other end of the spectrum, high alkaline levels can result in cloudy water and scale growth. To increase alkalinity in a hot tub with a balanced pH level, add an alkalinity increaser.

Hot Tub pH

pH levels measure acidity and alkalinity in water, and you should aim for a level between 7.2 and 7.8. Below this, increased acidity can cause itchiness and burning eyes, while also reducing the effectiveness of your sanitizer. Above 7.8, your hot tub water can become cloudy or foamy and cause scale growth. If your pH levels are low, a hot tub pH increaser can help; if they’re high, opt for a hot tub pH decreaser.

Chlorine vs. Bromine

Both chlorine and bromine can kill bacteria. Chlorine works by oxidizing contaminants, and bromine by ionizing them. To avoid a dangerous chemical reaction, never mix chlorine and bromine together. When choosing your hot tub sanitizers, consider the following:

How to Clean a Hot Tub

High-temperature water can become a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Keeping your hot tub clean helps you create a safe and inviting space where you can relax comfortably. It also helps to extend the life and efficiency of your investment. Follow these steps to keep your hot tub looking and performing at its peak:

Importance of Water Circulation

The more water that circulates through your spa, the cleaner the water and your spa will be. When water circulates through hot tub filters, it helps trap hot tub algae and other contaminants, making it more difficult for bacteria to breed. Circulation also pushes water through the heaters, helping to keep your hot tub water at a pre-determined temperature.

Hot Tub Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance is necessary for a safe and healthy hot tub. Here’s a handy schedule:

Weekly

Wipe down the hot tub cover and check that it’s secure
Test the water chemistry levels at least twice per week
Wipe down the hot tub with a sponge above the water line
Sanitize and shock your hot tub water once per week
Remove and rinse spa filters once per week

Monthly

Give the hot tub filters a chemical rinse
Clean the hot tub cover
Inspect the hot tub lines and jets for clogs
Clean the hot tub cabinet

Seasonal

Drain and thoroughly clean your spa every 3-4 months
Give the spa filters a chemical soak for a deeper clean
Flush and cleanse the hot tub lines to remove biofilm build up

Annual

Inspect the hot tub for damage and make necessary repairs
Hire a hot tub service professional for a tune up

Hivérisez votre spa

Bien qu’un bain chaud par une journée froide puisse être tentant pour de nombreux propriétaires de spas, si vous ne prévoyez pas d’utiliser votre spa pendant l’hiver, voici comment le préparer à hiverner en toute sécurité :

Drain the hot tub completely
Turn off the heater and activate the blower to purge water from lines
Loosen or unscrew fittings to get all water out, then tighten or replace them
Remove drain plugs to ensure the pump housing, filter canister, and heater are completely dry
Blow any remaining water out of the jets with an air compressor
Install a secure hot tub cover to keep debris out

Hot Tub Safety Tips

Hot tubs provide fun and relaxation for the whole family, if used safely. As a hot tub owner, it’s important to keep these safety tips in mind:

Rinse off before soaking to prevent contamination from oils, creams, and fragrances
Do not use glass containers in or around your hot tub
Refrain from alcohol consumption as warm water temperatures can heighten intoxication
Keep water temperature below 40°C for adults and 38°C for children
Don’t sit in hot water for more than 15 minutes
Don’t dive or dunk
Always supervise children
Know where the emergency cut-off switch is in the event of body entrapment or hair entanglement

Regular cleaning and care will help you get the most out of your hot tub. By performing some basic hot tub maintenance tasks, you can spend more time soaking under the stars and less time worrying about spa upkeep.

Cleaning Summer Maintenance & Repair