Owning a hot tub feels like having a personal spa right in your backyard. It is the perfect place to relax after a long day or to hang out with friends on the weekend. But keeping that water clear and safe takes a little bit of work. If you have ever looked at your hot tub and wondered if the water was clean enough to get in, you are not alone.
The good news is that cleaning a hot tub does not have to be hard. You do not need a degree in chemistry to keep things balanced and sanitary. With a simple schedule and the right supplies, you can keep your spa sparkling without spending hours on maintenance.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning your hot tub. We will cover weekly tasks, monthly deep cleans, and how to drain and refill your spa. By the end, you will feel confident managing your hot tub care so you can get back to the fun part: relaxing in the warm bubbles.
Why Cleaning Your Hot Tub Matters
You might think that hot water kills germs, but that is actually a myth. Warm water is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow if it is not treated properly. When you skip cleaning, you risk skin rashes, cloudy water, and even damage to your hot tub equipment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), germs can spread through hot tub water and cause skin or respiratory illnesses. That sounds scary, but it is easy to prevent. Keeping your sanitizer levels up and your filters clean protects everyone who takes a dip.
Regular cleaning also saves you money. When you let the water get too dirty, you have to use more chemicals to fix it. If the build-up gets too bad, it can clog your pumps or heaters, leading to expensive repairs. A little bit of effort now saves you a lot of trouble later.
Essential Supplies You Will Need
Before you start, make sure you have the right tools. Having everything ready makes the job much faster. Here is a basic list of what you will need:
- Test strips or a liquid test kit: These measure your pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.
- Sanitizer: Chlorine or bromine are the most common choices.
- Shock treatment: This helps keep the water clear and removes odours.
- Filter cleaner: A spray or soaking solution made specifically for hot tub filters.
- Hot tub vacuum: Useful for picking up dirt from the bottom of the tub.
- Line flush product: This cleans out the pipes inside the hot tub.
- Soft cloth or sponge: For wiping down the shell and cover.
- Garden hose: You will need this for rinsing filters and refilling the tub.
Weekly Maintenance Routine
The best way to keep your hot tub clean is to do a little bit of work every week. This prevents problems from piling up and keeps the water ready for you to use anytime.
Test and Balance the Water
You should test your water at least two to three times a week. If you use the tub often, you might need to test it even more.
Dip a test strip into the water and compare the colours to the chart on the bottle. You want to look at three main things:
- pH Level: This measures how acidic the water is. The CDC recommends a pH between 7.0 and 7.8. If it is too low, the water can hurt your skin and eyes. If it is too high, your sanitizer will not work well.
- Alkalinity: This helps keep the pH stable. It acts like a buffer.
- Sanitizer: For chlorine, aim for at least 3 parts per million (ppm). For bromine, aim for 4 to 8 ppm.
If the levels are off, add the right chemicals to fix them. Always follow the instructions on the package. Never mix chemicals together outside of the water.
Shock the Water
Once a week, you should add a shock treatment to the water. This gives the sanitizer a boost and kills any bacteria that might be lingering. It also helps get rid of organic stuff like sweat or body oils.
Leave the cover off for about 20 minutes after you add the shock. This allows the gases to escape so they do not damage the underside of your cover.
Clean the Filter
Your filter works hard to trap dirt and debris. Give it a break by cleaning it once a week.
Take the filter out and rinse it with a garden hose. Spray between the pleats to wash away hair and dirt. Let it dry completely before you put it back in. This simple step helps your filter last longer and keeps the water flowing smoothly.
Wipe Down the Cover and Shell
Take a damp cloth and wipe the waterline inside the tub. This removes the “scum line” that can form from lotions and oils. Also, wipe down the top and bottom of your cover. Keeping the cover clean prevents mould and mildew from growing.
Monthly Maintenance Tasks
Once a month, you need to do a deeper clean. This takes a bit more time but makes a big difference in water quality.
Deep Clean the Filter
Rinsing with a hose is good, but it does not remove oils or deep-set grime. Once a month, use a chemical filter cleaner.
Spray the cleaner on the filter and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse it off thoroughly. If your filter is very dirty, you might need to soak it in a cleaning solution overnight. Always rinse it really well so you do not get foam in your hot tub later.
Check the Jets
Look at your jets to make sure they are working right. If any seem clogged or stiff, you might need to turn them on and off to loosen any debris. If you can remove them, take them out and give them a quick rinse.
How to Drain and Refill Your Hot Tub
Even with great care, your hot tub water will eventually get “old.” It gets saturated with dissolved solids from chemicals and bathers. When this happens, the water might look cloudy or smell funny, no matter how much sanitizer you add.
Most experts, like those at Jacuzzi, recommend changing the water every three to four months. Here is the step-by-step process to do it right.
Step 1: Flush the Lines
Over time, a sticky substance called biofilm can grow inside the pipes. You cannot see it, but it harbours bacteria. Before you drain the tub, use a line flush product like Natural Chemistry’s Spa Purge.
Pour the product into the water and run the jets for about an hour (or however long the bottle says). This loosens the gunk so it drains out with the old water.
Step 2: Turn Off the Power
Safety comes first. Go to your circuit breaker and turn off the power to the hot tub. You do not want the pumps or heater to turn on while there is no water. That can damage the equipment instantly.
Step 3: Drain the Water
Find the drain valve on your hot tub. Attach your garden hose to it and open the valve. Direct the hose to a place where the water can drain safely, like a sewer cleanout or a driveway.
Draining can take a few hours. If you want to speed it up, you can use a submersible pump. These are fairly cheap and can drain a tub in minutes instead of hours.
Step 4: Clean the Shell
Once the tub is empty, you have a chance to clean the acrylic shell. Use a soft sponge and a mild cleaner meant for hot tubs. Do not use household cleaners like glass cleaner or bleach, as they can damage the surface and mess up your water chemistry later.
Rinse the shell well to get rid of any soap residue. You can use a wet-dry vac to suck up the last bit of water and dirt from the bottom.
Step 5: Clean the Filter (Again)
This is the perfect time to give your filter a deep soak. Put it in a bucket with filter cleaning solution and let it sit for 24 hours. If your filter is old or damaged, this is the time to throw it away and put in a fresh one. Most filters need to be replaced once a year.
Step 6: Refill the Tub
Put the garden hose into the filter compartment to fill the tub. This helps push air out of the pipes so you do not get an “air lock” when you turn the pumps back on.
Fill the tub until the water covers the highest jets but is below the headrests.
Step 7: Power Up and Balance
Turn the circuit breaker back on. The hot tub will start to heat up. Once the water is warm (above 20 degrees Celsius), test the water and add your chemicals. Start with alkalinity, then pH, and finally your sanitizer.
It might take a day for the water to get hot and balanced. Test it again before you get in.
Tips for Keeping Water Clean Longer
You can make your job easier by keeping dirt out of the tub in the first place. Here are a few simple rules for all bathers:
- Shower Before You Soak: This is the most helpful thing you can do. Lotions, makeup, deodorant, and hair products all wash off in the water. They clog filters and use up your sanitizer. A quick rinse before getting in keeps the water much cleaner.
- Wash Swimsuits Carefully: Detergent residue from your swimsuit causes foam. Wash your hot tub suits in water only, or run them through a rinse cycle without soap before wearing them.
- Keep the Cover On: When you are not using the tub, lock the cover down tight. This keeps leaves, bugs, and dirt out. It also saves energy by keeping the heat in.
- Clean Your Cover: Use a vinyl cleaner on your cover every few months. This keeps the material soft and prevents it from cracking. A cracked cover can let dirty rainwater into your clean spa.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Sometimes things go wrong even when you try your best. Here are quick fixes for common hot tub issues.
Cloudy Water
This is the most common complaint. It usually means your sanitizer is too low or your filter is dirty.
- Fix: Check your chlorine or bromine levels. If they are low, add more. If the levels are fine, shock the tub. If that does not work, clean your filter or use a water clarifier to clump tiny particles together so the filter can catch them.
Foamy Water
Foam usually comes from soap, lotion, or body oil.
- Fix: If there is just a little foam, use a “de-foamer” product. This works instantly but is only a temporary fix. For a lot of foam, you likely need to drain and refill the tub to get rid of the soap build-up.
Green or Smelly Water
This means bacteria or algae are growing.
- Fix: Test your pH and sanitizer. Shock the water with a high dose of chlorine. Leave the cover off and let the jets run. If the water smells like a wet dog or old socks, it is definitely time to shock it or drain it completely.
Skin Irritation
If you get itchy after a soak, the water balance is likely wrong.
- Fix: Check the pH. If it is below 7.2, the water is too acidic. Add a pH increaser. Also, check for high levels of chloramines (used-up chlorine), which can irritate skin. A shock treatment will get rid of them.
Safety Reminders
Handling chemicals requires care. Always read the labels. Store your chemicals in a cool, dry place away from kids and pets.
Never mix different chemicals together dry. For example, do not mix chlorine and acid in a bucket. They can create dangerous fumes. Always add chemicals to the water, not the other way around.
If you have a cut or open sore, do not go in the hot tub. It is not safe for you, and it introduces bacteria to the water.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of a hot tub is really about routine. Once you get into the habit of checking the water and rinsing the filter, it only takes a few minutes a week.
Remember these key steps:
- Test and balance weekly.
- Rinse your filter weekly.
- Clean your filter deep monthly.
- Drain and refill every 3 to 4 months.
By following this guide, you will ensure your hot tub is always a safe and inviting place to relax. You invested in a hot tub to enjoy life, so do not let cleaning stress you out. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and enjoy the soak.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change the water in my hot tub?
You should drain and refill your hot tub every three to four months. If you use it every day or have a lot of people using it, you might need to change it sooner. If the water stays cloudy or smells bad even after you shock it, that is a sign it is time for fresh water.
Can I use household bleach to clean my hot tub?
No, you should not use household bleach. It is not formulated for hot tubs and can damage the seals and internal parts. It also messes up the pH balance. Stick to chlorine or bromine made specifically for spas.
Do I really need to shower before getting in?
Yes, showering makes a huge difference. Most of the “dirt” in a hot tub is actually body oil, sweat, deodorant, and lotion. These things use up your sanitizer quickly and cause foam. A quick rinse removes them and keeps your water clearer for longer.
Why is my hot tub water foamy?
Foam is usually caused by surfactants. These come from laundry detergent on swimsuits, soap residue on skin, or spilled drinks. To fix it, clean your filter and use a de-foamer product. To prevent it, rinse your swimsuits with water instead of washing them with soap.
Is it safe to use the hot tub if the chlorine is high?
You should wait until chlorine levels drop to a safe range, usually between 3 and 5 ppm. High chlorine can bleach your swimsuit, damage the hot tub cover, and irritate your skin and lungs. Leave the cover open and run the jets to help lower the level naturally.
