The stars are out and your favorite tune’s playing in the background. Maybe you’ve got a drink in your hand as you settle into the heat and rhythm of the bubbles. Isn’t that everyone’s fantasy about owning a hot tub?
However, most hot tub owners know there’s a bit more to owning a tub. There’s a fair bit of upkeep to be done behind the scenes if you want to enjoy the benefits.
At Spartan Pool & Patio, we know that hot tub maintenance doesn’t have to be a chore! With just a few basic tricks, you can easily keep your hot tub in prime condition for years to come. Let’s dive in!
How to Clean Your Tub and Filter
Cleaning the Tub
Cleaning your hot tub may seem like an obvious task, but neglecting to do this frequently can result in algae growth, jet malfunctions, and unsanitary conditions.
Keeping your pool clean can be simple: after exiting your tub, use a towel to keep the edges dry and prevent mold growth. You can also use a gentle solution of water and vinegar to kill off any remaining bacteria. Make it a habit to clean the outside of your hot tub weekly. If you use your hot tub regularly, wipe it down daily.
Additionally, be sure to change out the water completely every 3-4 months, or immediately when you notice the water is becoming cloudy. Cloudy water is a sign that your chemicals may not be working properly, or are hard to balance, which means you need to replace your water.
After dumping the water, take this as an opportunity to scrub the inside of the tub! Again, a gentle astringent like vinegar and water is all you need to keep the inside free of bacteria and mold.
Keeping Your Filters Clean
Your hot tub’s filters are the silent workhorses of your outdoor spa. Without filters to fight off contaminants, your tub could turn cloudy and uninviting, and it can even become a breeding ground for algae. That said, you need to clean or change your filters once a month at a minimum.
Most spas come with a cartridge filtration system with one or more removable cartridges. Like most filters, these are designed to capture the dirt and debris that would otherwise get sucked into your hot tub equipment, and possibly ruin it.
When it’s time to remove and clean your filters, do not use household cleaners to remove debris or dirt! These filters actually absorb these cleaners and can cause foaming problems until the product has been completely eradicated from the filter with multiple rinses.
Do not use bleach to clean a filter, either. Hot tub filters consist of polyester fibers that are not robust enough to withstand the intensity of bleach. Even if you dilute bleach, you can still damage the threads that compose the filter fibers.
Balancing Your Water
Balancing your spa’s water is essential to hot tub maintenance, maximizing your spa’s durability, and keeping your tub’s water sanitary and safe. If the chemicals are out of sync, your water can irritate your skin or promote the growth of harmful bacteria. Furthermore, calcium deposits or algae growth can clog your tub’s filters and result in costly repairs.
To keep your tub in great condition, get into the habit of testing your spa water at least three times a week with a testing kit. Let your water reach a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as anything below that may render chemical additives useless. Next, add calcium chloride. The goal is to aim for a calcium hardness of 150-250 ppm. Now it’s time to add sodium bicarbonate, which raises the water’s total alkalinity (TA). The goal is to reach a range of 100-120 ppm. Test the pH for balance, and add alkaline if the pH is too high, or acid if the pH is too low, testing gradually until total alkalinity is within 100-120 ppm.
Balancing your tub’s water can be a bit confusing, so if you’re feeling unsure, be sure to contact a pool maintenance professional.
Need Help?
Enjoying your own hot tub can be one of the best parts of being a homeowner. At Spartan Pool & Patio, we’re happy to walk you through the best practices for maintaining your hot tub and even do all the heavy lifting for you! Give us a call today to find out how we can help you experience all the joy of pool ownership!
