While hot tubs provide a luxurious experience, keeping them clean is the only way to ensure they continue to provide such enjoyment.
When it comes to hot tub care, there is always room for improvement, especially if you’re new to the hot tub ownership world.
If you’re looking for ways to combat sediment buildup on your shell, or simply want to enhance your routine to keep your water fresh and welcoming, keep reading.
In this article, we’re going to share some of the best hot tub cleaning tips to make your routine maintenance even easier, and keep your water crystal clear.
How Often Should I Clean My Hot Tub?
First and foremost, one of the most common questions we answer is, “How often should I be cleaning my hot tub?” and honestly, it depends.
If you use your hot tub frequently or it sees a high number of guests, you may need to clean it more often than someone who reserves theirs for weekend relaxation.
It can also depend on what type of cleaning you’re doing. While you’ll only need to drain and clean your shell every three months, your filters require a more robust cleaning routine.
Below, you’ll find six hot tub cleaning tips and our recommended frequency for each to help guide your cleaning routine.
6 Hot Tub Cleaning Tips For a Clean Spa
Cleaning your hot tub is a multi-step process and will require some trial and error at times to meet your unique needs.
However, the below steps and their corresponding frequency are a great starting point that can work well for nearly all hot tub owners regardless of use!
1. Test and Treat Your Water
Frequency – Three times a week
A clean hot tub all begins with clean, well-balanced water.
If your water isn’t properly treated, it can lead to scale buildup or corrosion eating away at various parts of your system, including your shell!
This makes testing and treating your water crucial to your routine!
When testing your water with your pH strips, you’ll want to be looking for the following levels:
- pH: 7.2 – 7.8
- Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
- Sanitizer
- Chlorine: 1 – 3 ppm
- Bromine: 3 – 5 ppm
Not only will keeping these levels balanced ensure your water won’t be damaging to your system, but it also creates a safe, enjoyable soaking experience for you and your loved ones.
2. Clean Your Filters
Frequency – Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly
Another vital aspect of keeping your hot tub clean is caring for your filters.
Your filters are constantly pulling impurities from your water as it circulates through your system, which can build up over time.
Without regularly cleaning them, this buildup can result in reduced performance, climbing energy bills, and dirty water.
Because they play such an important part in keeping your spa clean, their cleaning routine is more complex than others.
Each week, you’ll want to rinse your hot tub filters under your garden hose to wash away any dirt and debris that’s settled on the surface of the pleats.
Once a month, you’ll want to perform a chemical rinse, spraying them with filter cleaner and allowing them to soak for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
Finally, every three months, you’ll want to give them a deep clean by soaking them in diluted filter cleaner overnight. This helps lift deeply set stains and build-up to breathe new life into them once again.
3. Use a Spa Vacuum
Frequency – As needed
Even with expert filter care, there are likely going to be times that small debris lingers at the bottom of your spa, such as bits of sand or dirt guests may have brought into the water.
A spa vacuum can easily remove these contaminants from your water, reducing the work your filters will need to do.
Furthermore, if your spa sees heavy use, you may find that a slick layer of sediment forms over your shell between water changes.
A spa vacuum can help keep the underwater surfaces of your shell free from this slippery build-up, making it a useful addition to your monthly routine during times of more frequent use.
4. Clean Your Tub With a Shell Cleaner
Frequency – Every three months
Every three months, you’ll want to do a full water change.
This serves three main purposes:
- Keeps your total dissolved solids to a minimum
- Ensures your water remains safe and easy to maintain
- Allows you to deep clean and inspect your shell
Each time you add a dose of your water treatment products, such as pH increaser or sanitizer, it increases the level of total dissolved solids in your water.
Over time, this accumulation can make your water particularly difficult to balance and can even lead to skin and eye irritations.
By draining your spa, cleaning it, and refilling it with fresh water, you’ll be starting with a clean slate every three months, keeping your water clean, easy to maintain, and safe to enjoy!
Now, you may think cleaning your shell is as easy as rinsing it off with the hose and wiping it with a cloth. This can actually leave behind contaminants that reenter your fresh water.
To ensure you’re truly adding fresh water to a clean tub, you’ll want to clean your shell with a shell cleaner designed for the material your shell is made of.
If you’re not sure which shell cleaner would be best for your spa, talk to the experts at your dealership, and they’ll be able to help you find the right one.
5. Flush The Lines
Frequency – Every three months
During your quarterly drain and deep clean, it’s also a good idea to flush your lines.
This helps remove any biofilm or scale that may have accumulated in your circulation system over the last three months, and helps maintain your spa’s efficiency.
Luckily, this is a simple process!
Simply add some line flush cleaner to your water before draining your spa, and let your pump run it through your system for 20 minutes before you drain your spa.
6. Keep The Exposed Shell Clean
Frequency – Weekly
Lastly, it’s important to wipe down the top portion of your shell that’s exposed.
Each time you lift your cover, this area is exposed to the elements, and because it’s damp, dirt and debris can easily cling to it as you soak.
Wiping this with a soft cloth once a week will help remove any buildup before it gets into your water.
The Best Ways to Prevent Dirt and Grime in Your Hot Tub
If you’re wondering how you can minimize the amount of grime you have to deal with, you’re in luck!
There are various ways you can do this, and they are all incredibly simple to do.
Keep it Covered
The best way to keep your hot tub clean is to simply use your cover!
Anytime you’re not in the water, you should have your cover firmly in place, preferably secured into place with cover locks.
Not only does this keep dirt and grime out of your water, but it also locks in heat to maximize your spa’s energy efficiency.
Use Hot Tub Sponges or Tennis Balls
Each time you settle into the warm water of your spa, oils and dead skin cells are being pulled off your skin and into the water.
This organic matter is difficult for your sanitizer to break down, and can result in cloudy or foamy water if you’re not actively combating it.
One way to do this is by using an oxidizing shock treatment, but if you want to minimize how much shock you need, using hot tub sponges or tennis balls is a great solution!
Simply toss them into the water after you’re done soaking, and they’ll help absorb some of the oils floating on the surface.
Shower Before Your Soak
Speaking of oils, there’s another way to help reduce their accumulation in your water; showering!
Now, we don’t mean taking a full shower each time you want to enjoy a relaxing soak in your hot tub. A quick rinse is all you need.
This helps remove any perfumes, lotions, or sweat that’s on your body, ensuring only minimal amounts will be brought into your hot tub.
Take this a step further by keeping your hair out of the water as you soak so that any hair products don’t melt into the water.
Simply keep hair ties or hats nearby for guests, and you’ll discover a cleaner hot tub with minimal additional effort!
Stick To a Routine
And finally, the best way to keep your hot tub clean is to simply stick to a routine.
This helps ensure every one of your hot tubs needs are met on a regular basis, and provides the care it needs to continue running smoothly for many years to come!
Hot Tub Cleaning and Maintenance in Essex County, MA
Keeping your hot tub clean is an important part of hot tub ownership, and with the above tips, you can discover a cleaner hot tub and maintain crystal-clear, safe water for all your guests.
Want to take the work out of owning a hot tub? The experts at St. Cyr Pool & Spa are here to help! With our wide range of hot tub cleaning and maintenance solutions, you can trust your spa is in the best hands.
From routine cleaning, inspections, and repairs, our team can do it all. Contact us today, or visit our Middleton, Hampstead or North Hampton showroom to find all your hot tub care essentials.
Hot Tub Cleaning FAQs
1. How do I prevent algae growth in my hot tub?
Answer: To prevent algae growth, maintain proper sanitizer levels (chlorine or bromine), regularly clean your filters, and ensure your water chemistry is balanced. Using an algaecide as part of your routine maintenance can also help.
2. Can I use household cleaning products to clean my hot tub?
Answer: It’s best to avoid using household cleaning products as they can contain chemicals that may harm your hot tub’s surface or leave residues that affect water chemistry. Always use cleaners specifically designed for hot tubs.
3. How can I remove stubborn stains from my hot tub shell?
Answer: For stubborn stains, use a non-abrasive hot tub cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid using steel wool or harsh scrubbers. If the stains persist, consult your hot tub dealer for specialized products or professional cleaning services.
4. Is it necessary to clean my hot tub cover?
Answer: Yes, it’s important to clean your hot tub cover regularly. Wipe it down with a mild soap solution and rinse thoroughly. Treat it with a UV protectant to prevent cracking and fading, ensuring it remains effective and extends its lifespan.
5. What’s the best way to maintain water quality in between deep cleanings?
Answer: Regularly test and adjust your water chemistry, clean your filters weekly, and use a spa vacuum as needed. Keeping your hot tub covered when not in use and encouraging guests to rinse off before entering can also help maintain water quality.
6. How do I know when it’s time to replace my hot tub filters?
Answer: Generally, hot tub filters should be replaced every 12-24 months, depending on usage and care. Signs that it’s time to replace your filters include visible wear and tear, persistent clogging, and reduced water flow.
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