Nothing beats the feeling of slipping into a sparkling clean hot tub and soaking your worries away. Maintaining a hot tubis probably easier than you think, as long as you stay consistent. When your chemicals are properly balanced, the water stays clean and healthy. You do, however, want to take the time (once in a while) for some more thorough cleaning. 

Don’t be intimidated. There might be a lot of parts to care for but it won’t take much time. This guide will help you enjoy your spa and prolong its life, with some helpful maintenance tips. 

CLEANING YOUR HOT TUB

Depending on your usage, you’ll need to drain and clean the tub every three to four months. Fortunately, most spas only take about an hour to drain, and an hour to clean. These steps are recommended for most hot tubs, but be sure to check your manual as well:

  1. A non-abrasive, non-sudsing cleaner can be used across the entire tub. All you need is a soft rag to wipe down and remove any built-up dirt. 
  2. Spa pillows should be removed gently so you don’t damage the plugs on the back. Your owner’s manual will have custom instructions and recommendations for which cleaner to use. Be sure to rinse the pillow well, so you don’t bring those chemicals into your hot tub, it will also improve the lifespan of the pillows. 
  3. When the vinyl cover is removed, spray it with a hose to loosen any dirt or grime. A mild dish soap can be used with baking soda on the cover, but that can be tough to rinse off and you definitely need to rinse it well before use. That’s why a dedicated cover cleaner is usually recommended. Choose one that will also protect the cover from UV rays. 

CLEANING YOUR FILTERS

Fragments from minerals or calcification from hard water can have a significant effect on your water filtration system. To keep your filters clean (and to improve the life of your filters and pump) follow these steps: 

  1. Use a garden hose to spray your cartridges. Be sure to rotate them to remove debris from between the filter pleats. 
  2. Grease deposits can also build up on spa cartridges, there are eco-friendly filter cleaners you can use to help remove the grease and gunk. You can start soaking your cartridges in a cleaner while you’re cleansing and wiping down the spa. 
  3. Rinse the cartridges thoroughly and allow them to dry before putting them back in your hot tub.

NOTE: Filters that are more than three years old, should be checked often. The chemicals and wear from your hot tubstart to break down the filters around the three-year mark. 

REFILLING YOUR HOT TUB

Remember, the right water chemistry is essential to your health and your hot tubs health. Once filled, ensure your pH range is between 7.4 and 7.6. When the PH is too low, your water will be acidic which can damage your spa and hurt your eyes/skin. Too much PH, however, can interfere with your sanitizers ability to properly clean the water. That’s what usually causes a cloudy hot tub. 

You’ll also want to keep your calcium between 100 and 250 parts per million. If the calcium is too low your water will pull from other minerals such as iron and copper which results in corrosion. When the calcium is too high though, the water clouds and you’ll see scale formation begin. 

Many hot tub owners keep test strips/kits near the tub as well as your sanitizer, shock, and pH up, and pH down. With these supplies, you’ll have no problem maintaining your hot tub.