Hot Tub Cleaning Guide

The first steps to owning a hot tub can be intimidating. A hot tub is a significant investment, and we realise that you want to enjoy and care for it as much as possible. This beginner’s guide will walk you through your initial steps as a hot tub owner and ensure you understand everything there is to know about hot tubs and spa care.

BASICS OF HOT TUB MAINTENANCE

Hot tubs are frequently referred to as Jacuzzis, however this is a common misunderstanding, similar to calling all vacuum cleaners Hoovers. Jacuzzi is a hot tub brand that has been around since the 1950s, when they invented the first hydrotherapy jet.

Unlike some other hot tubs on the market, Jacuzzi hot tubs are of exceptional quality, made to last, and engineered to make spa maintenance as simple as possible.

To keep the water healthy and safe for bathers, all hot tubs require routine maintenance. Depending on your needs and skin sensitivity, you’ll need to decide which chemical to utilise.

Is it true that a hot tub requires a lot of upkeep?

Not at all. It doesn’t cost much and only requires a basic grasp of water chemistry and a simple timetable (which we’ll go through). All you actually need are some chemicals and testing materials, which will set you back around $20 every month.

CIRCULATION AND FILTRATION IN THE HOT TUB

Water Jets in a Hot Tub

A cartridge filtration system and a hot tub pump are standard on most acrylic hot tubs.

You should inspect the filtering system on a regular basis to ensure that it is in excellent operating condition. It’s vital to remember that if your hot tub cartridge filter gets dirty, the filter’s function will suffer, resulting in unclean, potentially polluted water. Spa cartridges are usually cleaned weekly (depending on use), but if your hot tub is used often or the danger of contamination is significant, we recommend cleaning it more frequently (e.g. grass in your hot tub).

HOW DO I TEST THE WATER IN A HOT TUB?

Testing the water in your hot tub is an important part of keeping it clean, safe, and healthy. The most convenient approach to test the water is to utilise test strips, which rapidly and precisely display the sanitizer, pH, and total alkalinity levels of the water. This gives you the opportunity to make any necessary chemical modifications.

We recommend that any hot tub owner test their water daily, whether or not the spa is in use, because warm water has to be sanitised on a frequent basis.

To get the best accurate reading from any test strips, make sure to carefully follow the directions on the bottle. After you’ve been monitoring the conditions in your hot tub for a time, you’ll see how refilling, topping up, adding chemicals, and ordinary usage impact the measurements and chemical levels.

WATER BALANCING IN A HOT TUB

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, indicating acidic and alkaline situations, respectively. A pH of 7 is considered natural, which means that anything below 7 is acidic and anything over 7 is alkaline.

Maintaining a healthy water balance The water’s total alkalinity (TA) and total hardness (TH) are critical. Alkalinity levels in a hot tub may range from low to high, with low levels causing aggressive water and high levels causing scale. Total Alkalinity Plus may be used to boost alkalinity levels, while pH minus can be used to diminish alkalinity by dissolving pH minus in a water bucket and pouring straight into the center/deepest section of the hot tub with no jets running.

HOT TUB FOAM

Foam on the surface of your hot tub water is frequently created by detergent residue left in bathing costumes after they’ve been washed. It’s always a good idea to urge hot tub bathers to shower with their costumes on before getting in the tub if at all feasible. This will not only assist eliminate detergents from the body, but also cosmetics and lotions.

Pro Tip: After you’ve used your hot tub, add tennis balls to give it some extra cleansing power. Oils, lotions, and soap are extracted from your body and clothes by the hot water, and your filters may not be able to entirely remove them. The fluffy fibres of a tennis ball, on the other hand, will soak them up and keep your water clean.

SAFETY ADVICE FOR HOT TUB MAINTENANCE

It is critical for any hot tub owner or user to remember the following safety precautions at all times:

1. Temperatures in the hot tub should not exceed 40°C (lower if children will be using the Hot Tub)
2. Non-swimmers and children should never be left alone in a hot tub.
3. Don’t overcrowd your spa by inviting more guests than it can accommodate.
4. Keep all electrical items away from your hot tub.
5. Glass should not be used in or around a spa.
6. Before or after utilising a hot tub, avoid consuming alcoholic drinks.
7. Please consult your doctor before utilising a hot tub if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or have any other cardiovascular concerns.
8. When cleaning or replacing hot tub filter cartridges, always wear gloves.

When Should You Clean Your Hot Tub?

Regular hot tub maintenance is essential to keeping your spa in good condition. In addition, various hot tub maintenance procedures can be completed weekly, seasonally, or even yearly. For your convenience, we’ve listed the “whens” of hot tub maintenance below.

Maintenance is performed every week.

• Keep an eye on the lid of your hot tub. When your spa is not in use, make sure it is secure and clean.
• At least twice a week, check the chemical of your water.
• At least once a week, wipe off your hot tub with a sponge, paying specific attention to the water line.
• At least once a week, sanitise and shock your water.
• Remove your spa filter(s) and thoroughly rinse them with water.

Maintenance is performed once a month.

• Make a chemical bath for your spa filter(s).
• Ensure that your spa cover is clean.
• Examine the lines and jets in your spa.
• Clean the cabinet in your hot tub.

Maintenance During the Season

• Drain and clean your spa completely. Please refer to this guide for assistance.
• Allow your spa filter(s) to soak in a chemical bath.
• Flush and cleanse your lines to remove any biofilm that may have formed.

Maintenance on a yearly basis

• Examine the hardware in your spa for any signs of wear and tear.
• Call a service technician to double-check that your spa is in excellent working order.

System of Pumps

This is what circulates the water around your hot tub, heats it with a heating element, and then pushes it into the tub through jets to generate those nice bubbles.

Why Is It Necessary to Clean Your Pump System?

To get the most out of your hot tub, make sure your pump is in tip-top shape. Because the pump system can become blocked with dirt and sticky bacterium layers, it must be cleansed on a regular basis. If you don’t, you’ll end up with unclean, potentially disease-ridden water, as well as the possibility of your pipes being damaged if the pump system becomes clogged.

Cleaning Your Pump System

To begin, fill your hot tub with Pro-Kleen Complete System Flush. Fill your hot tub (or whirlpool) to the point where all of the jets are submerged. Add 500ml to 1L of System Flush to your hot tub’s water and let it run for 15 to 30 minutes. The System Flush will flush out any waste or obstructions that have accumulated inside your hot tub system. Clean out your hot tub by draining it and rinsing it with clean water. This should be done every three months to guarantee that your hot tub is constantly performing at its best. You may also add 100ml of ScaleStop to your water once a week to help prevent limescale accumulation and extend the life of your pump.

REPLACING THE WATER IN YOUR SPA

While following spa water cleaning guidelines can help keep your water fresher for longer, soaps and detergents can build up in your spa over time, resulting in residue. Follow these steps to change your water:

1. Drain and refill tub: Drain and refill the water in your spa according to the directions in your Owner’s Manual to remove any detergent or soap residue that has developed over time.
2. Pre-filter: When filling your spa, use the CleanScreenTM; Pre-Filter for sparkling clean water straight away.
3. Attach the pre-filter to an ordinary garden hose to remove organic pollutants, metals such as copper and iron, and tannins from your fresh water when using the CleanScreenTM: Pre-Filter.

HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR SPA

Your Hot Spring spa is built to be used all year in any environment. These methods will ensure optimal energy efficiency in your spa at any time of year.

• Buy a Winter Blanket: Buy a Winter Blanket from your local Hot Spring spa dealer to keep your spa warm all year, even in frigid temperatures.
• Install the Winter Blanket: Place the vinyl-covered, fibreglass insulated Winter Blanket inside the equipment compartment door to protect some of your spa’s components from partial freezing while increasing energy efficiency.
• Check for evidence of wear and tear: Look for signs of wear and tear on your cover to ensure it is performing at its best.
• Examine the seal: To prevent heat from escaping, double-check that the seal is still tight and unbroken.
• Check to determine if you need a replacement: If you see symptoms of drooping, fading, or cracking, replace your spa cover.
• Brush snow off your spa cover on a regular basis, and spray warm water on ice rather than peeling it off.
• Stay maintained for vacation: If you plan to leave for few days during the winter months, keep your spa maintained with these tips:
  • Adjust pH: Before you go, adjust the pH according to the Owner’s Manual.
  • Sanitize: Sanitize the water with super chlorination or the new

• • Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer according to instructions.
  • Lock cover: Lock down the cover to prevent access.
  • Lock light and jets: Lock the light and jets feature on the control panel (on 1998 models).
• When you return: Upon your return, balance the pH and sanitize the water prior to using.

If you plan to be away from home a week or longer, call your local dealer for more tips on winterizing your spa, or check your Owner’s Manual for additional instructions.

Keep your spa water clean from algae, bacteria and other unwanted impurities by maintaining a safe amount of sanitizer. With too much sanitizer in your spa water, your lungs, skin and eyes may become irritated.

• Maintain your spa for vacation: If you intend to depart for a few days during the winter months, follow these recommendations to keep your spa in good condition:

Before you leave, adjust the pH according to the Owner’s Manual.

Sanitize the water using super chlorination or the new Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Lock the cover: To restrict access, lock the cover.

Lock light and jets: On the control panel, use the Lock light and jets option to lock the light and jets (on 1998 models).

When you return, balance the pH and disinfect the water before using it.

Filter Care

What do the filters do?

The surface of the water is skimmed into the filter box, and through filter cartridges to remove dirt and debris.

How often should I clean my filters?

This will depend on your usage, but we recommend you clean them at least once every fortnight. Heavy usage such as parties will mean your filters clog up quicker. However the situation is different when you fill your spa for the first time, or whenever you drain and refill your spa. In this instance the filters may clog up within three–four days because of the small particles contained in tap water and any particles from manufacturing/transport.

What will happen if I don’t clean my filters regularly enough?

It is VERY important that the filters are cleaned regularly otherwise the water flow will be restricted and the spa will automatically shut down. The following diagnostic messages may appear on your touch pad if your filters are dirty; FLO, Heater Dry, LF, DR, OHH, or — (two lines).

To confirm that the filters are the cause of the problem, remove them and run the spa for a few minutes to see if the message clears. If the message still does not clear, then try switching the spa off whilst the filters are removed, and then back on again. Please note that you MUST NOT run the spa for long periods without filters. If the message still appears after trying these measures, then please call 02380 812769 for further advice.

CLEANING A HOT TUB WITH COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

We recommend only using products that are specifically labelled for cleaning hot tubs. However, some spa owners choose to clean a hot tub with normal home chemicals. The following are some typical home items that are quite safe to use in your hot tub.

Vinegar and water

This is a practical solution for cleaning the shell of your hot tub. To create the vinegar solution, mix one-part water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray down the surface of the tub and allow it to sit for fifteen minutes, then rinse it thoroughly.

Next, clean problem areas on your tub’s surface, such as white water lines or stuck-on organic material. Repeat applications of the vinegar solution will usually do the trick.

The vinegar and water solution is also a safe option for cleaning the underside of your spa cover.

Olive oil for gunk

If there’s anything goopy on the shell of your spa, olive oil is one of the common household products to clean a hot tub. Just pour a little olive oil onto a rag and gently rub it until the goop breaks down. Be sure to wash off the oil with mild soap and water when you finish, so the oil doesn’t get in your hot tub water and wreak havoc on your filter.