Whether you’re new to the world of hot tubs or have recently become the proud owner of one, you’re in for a journey of delight and relaxation! However, to keep your hot tub in tip-top shape and ensure it remains your haven of bliss, a bit of hot tub maintenance is needed. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essentials of hot tub care, making it easy for you to enjoy your oasis stress-free!
Test Your Hot Tub Water
Check your hot tub water daily using test strips. Monitor sanitizer levels, pH levels, and total alkalinity. If you’re new to hot tub ownership, monitoring and testing your water may seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, you don’t need an in-depth scientific understanding on how to do it. You just need to know the basics and your target levels.
- Chlorine: 1.0–3.0 ppm
- Bromine: 2.0–4.0 ppm
- pH: 7.4–7.6
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 150–250 ppm
If you want more accurate results, or just need help with water chemistry, you can bring a water sample to Idaho Spas where our specialists would be happy to assist you.
Clean Your Hot Tub
As with most appliances, your hot tub can also benefit from a good cleaning. In addition to wiping down your hot tub on a weekly basis with a fiber cloth or mitt, you’ll also want to drain and clean your hot tub every 3 to 4 months. During this deep clean, thoroughly scrub all the surfaces, the waterline, and the plumbing. If you want to use a cleaning solution on your hot tub, be sure to use a hot tub-specific one that won’t impact water quality.
Built-up dirt debris in your hot tub can be removed with a specialized hot tub vacuum. These vacuums can be battery operated or utilize a hand pump and are easy to use. To address floating debris, a simple skimmer net is highly effective.
Once cleaned, you can refill your hot tub with fresh water from a hose. Once the tub is full, you can turn on your hot tub to heat up the water—this could take up to 12 hours depending on the size of your specific hot tub.
Clean and Replace Your Hot Tub Filters
A high-quality filter is a must-have for your hot tub. It ensures a clean and worry-free soaking experience. Staying on top of your filter maintenance helps expand its lifespan and reduces the need for costly replacement parts.
How often you should clean your filters depends on how often you use your hot tub and what the manufacturer recommends.
A good routine includes:
- Each week, rinse them off under gently flowing water.
- At the end of each month, spray them with a filter cleaner, and let them soak for 15 minutes before rinsing them off.
- Once every three months, soak them in a diluted mixture of filter cleaner and water for 12-24 hours.
We also recommend a filter flosser to help remove organic matter from the filter pleats.
When Should You Replace Your Hot Tub Filter?
You should replace your hot tub filter about once or twice a year, depending on the use of your hot tub, your cleaning schedule, and how often your hot tub is serviced by a professional. If you’re unsure if your filter needs replacing, you can contact your local hot tub dealer.
Add Water to the Hot Tub
This hot tub maintenance tip is often overlooked but it’s important to avoid potential damage to the pump. Make sure the water level remains in the middle of the skimmer intake or slightly above it. Avoid filling it too high; you don’t want to overflow the hot tub.
For added convenience, you may want to keep a garden hose nearby. That way you always have water ready for filling or topping off your hot tub’s water level.
Hot Tubs Services in Idaho
We hope this blog has helped you understand a little more about hot tub maintenance but if you have any questions about your hot tub or how to care for it, feel free to contact us or visit our showroom. We also have these owner’s resources for your convenience.
