If you have a hot tub or spa, you know how much work it takes to clean it. In this post, we'll give you some tips on keeping it clean and making it look its best!
We all enjoy our hot tubs, but it can get really nasty if you're not keeping it clean as time goes on. Luckily, there's a simple way to keep it clean and looking great. There are different types of hot tub cleaners in the market today. Some are better than others, while some need extra care. We'll show you how to clean your hot tub safely and help you keep your hot tub looking its best.
Remember the 3 Cs of Hot Tub Maintenance
Remember the 3 Cs: circulation, cleaning, and chemistry to keep your hot tub in perfect condition.
- Maintaining circulation allows water to flow through your hot tub filters, cleaning your water from contaminants. Moving water also inhibits the growth of bacteria. Some hot tubs enable you to schedule automatic circulation, so you can just set it and forget about it. You should allow water to circulate at least twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring all the water has passed through the filter.
- Have a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Check your hot tub's jets, water line, and headrest, as these places are prone to develop scum. Scrub it off with a sponge and white vinegar. Check for debris like leaves and small insects if your hot is installed outdoors. Also, don't forget to replace the water every three to four months and flush the plumbing lines when draining.
- Keeping your hot tub chemistry in good shape takes some practice and a lot of testing. It's a whole process. For this, you're going to need the following: pH increaser, pH decreaser, alkalinity increaser, sanitizer (chlorine or bromine), shock (dichlor or non-chlorine), and test strips.
Key Takeaways: Circulation, cleaning, and chemistry have the most significant impact on keeping your hot tub clean all year round.
Clean the Hot Tub Filter
Hot tub filters are usually found on the side of the hot tub. In some brands, they're located underneath. Once you find the filter, remove it from the hot tub and clean it with a cleaning solution. Do this at least once a week. If your hot tub has a pressure gauge, and the pressure rises 8-10 PSI higher after use, your filter probably needs cleaning.
After a while, your filter will lose its ability to trap dirt and debris. Paper filters last between one to two years, while ceramic filters last twice as long. How often or how many people get into the hot tub is also a factor.
Key Takeaways: Clean your filter once a week to restore its ability to trap dirt and impurities when circulating water.
Check Your Water Chemistry Regularly
Your hot tub's pH level plays a significant role in keeping your hot tub clean. Ideally, you want to keep the water in a "balanced state," so you must test your hot tub water chemistry two to four times per week.
Here's an example of well-balanced water chemistry:
- Chlorine: 1.0-3.0 ppm
- Bromine: 2.0-4.0 ppm
- pH: 7.4-7.6
- Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 150-250 ppm
As you keep track of these numbers, you'll notice a pattern in your hot tub water chemistry. Use this to guide you when adjusting the amount of chemicals needed to maintain your hot tub. High levels of chloramines, metals or minerals, high alkalinity, and pH imbalance are bad for your hot tub.
You can get your test kits from a local hardware store or your nearest hot tub dealer.
Key Takeaways: Balancing your water chemistry takes some time to learn and do by yourself, but the results are well worth it.
Change the water in the Hot Tub
Hot tub water needs to be replaced every three or four months. This includes flushing the plumbing lines and cleaning all the surfaces. Don't use household cleaning soaps because they contain phosphates, nitrates, and other contaminants. Look for cleaning products made specifically for hot tubs.
Conclusion
Don't take chances when it comes to keeping your hot tub clean. Only use the proper cleaning supplies and the right techniques to ensure that your water stays nice and clean. This way, you enjoy your hot tub much longer and not worry whether your hot tub is still safe and clean for everybody.