What Kind of Maintenance and Cleaning is Required For a Hot Tub?

Whether you’re considering buying a hot tub or already own one, there are a few things to keep in mind for maintenance and cleaning. By ensuring your hot tub is properly maintained and in good health, you’re actively making sure that the experience will be the best it can be. With the endless benefits you can receive from using a hot tub, it’s wise to know how to properly care for it so you can make the most of it. From helping with aches and pains to improving sleep and reducing stress, the list of benefits is long. But how can you be sure your hot tub is properly maintained? Below, we will provide you with a checklist of what you need to know so you can enjoy your hot tub for many years to come. 

1. Maintaining the Proper Water Level

The first thing you should keep in mind to ensure your hot tub is working properly is keeping the water level where it needs to be. If the water level is too low, various parts of your hot tub, such as the filtration system, jet, pumps, etc., will not be able to work the way they should. Not only will this affect those working parts of your hot tub, which might cause damage, but it will also affect the water quality itself. By keeping an eye on your water level and ensuring it is typically a few inches above the filter line, every part of your hot tub will be able to run the way it was intended to. If you see that water levels are running low, or alternatively, too high as a result of rainwater, it’s a good idea to check the status of the chemical chemistry. At this point, you can see whether it would be wise to drain the hot tub and put fresh water and chemicals in or simply work with what you already have. This brings us to our next point on the list of things to be aware of for proper hot tub maintenance – the chemicals. 

2. Ensuring Proper Chemical Balance

Going hand in hand with the previous point, ensuring proper chemical care will determine many other aspects of how your hot tub will perform long-term. By regularly checking your hot tub’s water with testing strips or kits, you will see the pH, chlorine, total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels. You can adjust the levels as needed by following the basic principles of where each level should fall. For example, chlorine should be 1.0-3.0 ppm, your pH should be 7.2-7.8, total alkalinity at 125-150 pp, and calcium hardness between 100-200 ppm. Your testing strips or kit will effectively provide all the information needed to ensure your water levels are where they should be. However, if you’re unsure about how to maintain the health of your hot tub’s water, you can reach out to a spa dealer near you for assistance. 

3. Cleaning Your Hot Tub Regularly 

If your hot tub is located outside, then you’ll likely find that regular cleaning will be very beneficial. By skimming the surface to eliminate any debris, such as leaves, bugs, etc., you are actively helping the chemicals, as mentioned above, last longer. This will also put less strain on your filtration system, which will help it last longer. It’s also a good idea to wipe things down from time to time with a sponge and gentle cleaner. Additionally, if you’re draining your pool and refreshing the water, then it’s a good idea to take some time cleaning things before refilling. This brings us to our next point. 

4. Draining and Refilling Your Hot Tub 

Although it is unnecessary to do it too often, it is good practice to put fresh water in your hot tub periodically. Of course, this depends on factors, as mentioned above, like the state of your chemicals, dirt and debris, or any rainwater that has entered the hot tub. All of these factors will play a role in how often you might need to clean your water. However, it’s recommended to drain and refill approximately every three to four months. This is not only great for your hot tub, but will surely be appreciated by those using it, too.

The hot tub cover you choose will also affect how often your water needs to be changed. Here’s what you should know!

5. Taking Care of Your Hot Tub Cover

First thing’s first when it comes to hot tub covers is ensuring you buy a good quality one that fits properly. Not only will this be beneficial for the health of your hot tub and its water, but the safety of animals and children. However, it’s also important to let your cover breathe from time to time. Considering how much heat and moisture they actively take in, it makes sense that they might also need a break from it all. So we recommend that during your hot tub cleaning, when you’re planning on draining and refilling your water, you take a little time and show some love to your cover, too. By taking it off, airing it out and even giving it a good clean with a vinyl cleaner, you can ensure that you’re taking steps to have your cover last longer. 

These are the top five tips for maintaining the health of your hot tub and all of its parts. To learn about choosing the best hot tub for you and your space, download our free buyer’s guide.