Ah! The joys of having a hot tub at home — relaxing after a long day, soothing aching muscles, entertaining friends — and all without ever having to spend the money to go to a lavish hotel or salon. But, since you are the proud owner of said hot tub, you are also in charge of its cleaning and maintenance. That’s not so glamorous, but it still has to get done.
If it’s not cared for properly, the water of your hot tub could become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Luckily, the owner of Imperial Pool and Spa Services in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bruce Wetterer, shares his knowledge on how to keep your hot tub or spa clean and running longer.
- Check your owner’s manual before you begin caring for any hot tub or spa because there may be important information that is specific to your make and model.
- Your hot tub should be 100 to 104 degrees for optimal use. But the temperature can be lowered if water seems too hot for your comfort.
- Keep the water properly sanitized. You can use chlorine like you would for a pool, or bromine tablets, which are more stable and work effectively even at high temperatures.
- The water should be tested to make sure that the pH levels and chlorine levels are desirable. A pH or chlorine level that is too high or too low could irritate your eyes and skin, and can damage the structure of your hot tub.
- Many products are available at your local pool store that can help you clean your filter. A clean filter is essential to keeping your hot tub operating efficiently.
- Use a skimmer to keep leaves and other large debris from getting caught in your filter.
- You can purchase spa vacuums that are small but still able to suction dirt from the bottom of the spa without having to empty the water.
- Hard water, dirt and dead skin could cause a film or scum to form on your hot tub. Occasionally you will want to drain your tub entirely and clean it thoroughly. After the tub is emptied, get in and start scrubbing. Be careful not to use a brush that is too abrasive as it could damage acrylic or fiberglass. Once you have cleaned the hot tub, make sure all cleaning chemicals have been completely rinsed away before refilling.
If cleaning and maintaining healthy water levels don’t seem too appealing, consider hiring a pool and spa company that specializes in cleaning and sanitization. In the hands of the experts you can guarantee that your hot tub can be used as often as you’d like.
