Hot Tub Care: Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning and Maintenance

Ways To Keep Your Hot Tub in Tip-Top Shape

A hot tub can be a great way to relax and unwind at home. But like any major purchase, a hot tub requires proper care and maintenance to keep it clean, safe, and functioning properly for years of enjoyment. Neglecting hot tub maintenance can lead to dirty water, breakdowns, the growth of bacteria, and other issues down the line.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about maintaining your hot tub and keeping it in ideal condition. We’ll cover basic weekly and monthly cleaning, balancing chemicals, and replacing parts as needed. We’ll also go over safety tips and the maintenance tasks you should leave to the professionals. Follow this guide and you’ll be soaking and relaxing in a pristine hot tub for a long time to come.

The Basics of Hot Tub Care

To keep your hot tub clean and clear, you’ll need to establish a regular maintenance routine. Here are the tasks you should perform on a weekly or monthly basis:

Clean the Tub

Giving your hot tub a thorough cleaning weekly or at least every other week is recommended. This involves:

Draining the Water: Drain your hot tub fully using the drain valve. Remove any debris caught in the drains.
Wiping Down Surfaces: Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the interior walls, floor, and jets. Scrub off any dirt or grime buildup.
Vacuuming: Use a handheld hot tub vacuum to suction up debris on the floor and in hard-to-reach areas.
Cleaning Filters: Remove and clean out your hot tub’s filter cartridges with a filter cleaner solution to remove accumulated oils, minerals, and dirt.
Refilling: Refill your hot tub with fresh water once cleaning is complete.

Water Chemistry

Proper water chemistry keeps your hot tub sanitary while preventing damage from corrosion or scaling. Here are the key levels to monitor and maintain:

pH: The ideal pH for hot tub water is 7.4-7.6. Test pH weekly and adjust up or down using pH increaser or decreaser chemicals.
Alkalinity: This should be between 80-150 ppm. Low alkalinity makes pH hard to control.
Calcium Hardness: Aim for 150-200 ppm calcium to prevent corrosion and staining.
Sanitizer: Maintain 2-5 ppm chlorine or 3-5 ppm bromine at all times for sanitation and clarity. Shock treat weekly.

Test strips can monitor levels, but an electronic pH and sanitizer meter will give the most accurate readings. Add chemicals as needed after testing to maintain safe water chemistry.

Exterior Care

In addition to cleaning the interior, you’ll also want to keep your hot tub’s exterior clean by:

Wiping down the outer shell regularly with a clean, wet cloth.
Rinsing and scrubbing the top cover frequently with a cover cleaner solution. Cleaning products designed specifically for hot tub covers are ideal.
Checking that all vents or panel intakes are free of dirt buildup. Use a small vacuum attachment to suck up any debris.

With regular weekly cleaning sessions, you can stay on top of most standard hot tub maintenance needs. But there are also some tasks you’ll want to do less frequently to keep things running smoothly.

Monthly Maintenance

In addition to your weekly cleaning routine, you should also perform these maintenance tasks monthly:

Changing Filter Cartridges

Swap out your hot tub’s filter cartridges for new ones every 3-4 months. Clogged filters restrict water flow.
Soak heavily used filters in filter cleaner regularly to prolong filter life.

Draining and Refilling

Drain and refill your hot tub with fresh water every 3-4 months. This removes dissolved solids, oils, and other residue.
Deep clean all surfaces and jets when drained to fully disinfect.
Replace minerals and balance chemicals after refilling.

Cleaning Jets

Use a jet cleaner to vacuum out buildup and residue inside each jet opening monthly.
Unscrew jets to remove and clean fully as needed.

These monthly tasks will complement your weekly cleaning routine to keep water and facilities as clean as possible.

Seasonal Maintenance

Hot tubs used year-round will need more frequent care. But if you only use your hot tub in warmer months, you can minimize maintenance in the off season. To close down properly for winter or periods of disuse:

Drain and clean the hot tub thoroughly.
Remove and store filter cartridges in a dry place.
Use a pump flush chemical in jets and pipes to prevent freezing and buildup.
Cover the hot tub with a weatherproof vinyl cover secured tightly.
Turn off power at the breaker.

When restarting your hot tub after winter, replace filters and refill with fresh water balanced for proper sanitation levels. Have a professional inspect equipment if the hot tub was unused for over 6 months.

Replacing Parts

Hot tub components will gradually wear out over time, most commonly:

Filter Cartridges: Replace every 3-4 months.
Hot Tub Pillows: Replace foam headrests every 1-2 years.
Cover: Replace vinyl covers every 2-3 years due to chemical damage.
Light Bulbs: Replace any burned out bulbs as needed.
Jets: Replace cracked or damaged jets when required.

Keep spare filters, lights bulbs, and jets on hand so you can replace these commonly worn parts yourself. Other parts like pumps or electrical components should be serviced by a professional.

Advanced Maintenance

While weekly and monthly care covers the basics, there are some additional maintenance tasks you may need periodically:

Inspecting Equipment

Have a hot tub technician do a thorough inspection of pumps, heating elements, control panels, and all systems every 1-2 years. They can spot potential problems before equipment fails.

Checking for Leaks

If you notice the water level dropping rapidly, you likely have a leak. Have a pro find and seal any cracks or damaged plumbing. A leak detection dye can help locate the source.

Lubricating Parts

Use silicone lubricant on o-rings, valve stems, and any plastic-to-plastic moving parts if they become stiff or hard to turn. This prevents damage.

Troubleshooting Issues

If your hot tub starts displaying error codes or malfunctioning, don’t ignore it. Have a certified technician diagnose and resolve the problem promptly.

Maintaining Circulation

Ensure jets are angled properly and filters are clean so all water circulates through the filtration system every 30 minutes when the pump runs.

Water Care Tips

Proper water sanitation and chemistry is crucial. Here are some extra tips:

Shock treat your water weekly and after heavy use to oxidize organic compounds.
Test pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels before adding any chemicals.
Only use chemicals made for hot tubs. Don’t use chlorine tablets made for pools.
Change water if it becomes foamy, cloudy, or has an odor.
Rinse cartridge filters by hand rather than soaking to extend lifespan.
Shower before entering a hot tub to remove lotions, perfumes, and other contaminants.
Replace water every 3-4 months for the cleanest soak.

Staying Safe

While hot tubs are designed for relaxation and fun, safety should always be a top priority:

Keep the hot tub off limits to children without adult supervision.
Secure the cover when not in use to prevent accidental falls.
Ensure underwater lights work properly for visibility.
Post safety signage and install locking temperature controls.
Test GFCI circuits before each use with the test button.
Check water temperature with a thermometer instead of going by feel.
Remove all jewelry, loose items, and ties/hair that could get caught in jets.
Drink plenty of water before and after hot tub use to avoid dehydration.
Avoid using a hot tub while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

By following these tips and performing regular maintenance, you can ensure your hot tub provides a clean and soothing soak for many years. Proper care promotes relaxation, not stress, when it comes to hot tub upkeep. Be sure to refer back to this guide from the best hot tub manufacturer anytime you need a refresher on keeping your hot tub in tip-top shape. Happy and safe soaking!