An inflatable hot tub isn’t going to come with the same powerful motor and temperature stability as hot tubs three or four times its price, but it will certainly do the trick in a pinch and last a while if you take care of it. We suggest insulating the bottom with rubber mulch and sand to keep these inflatable tubs much warmer throughout winter.
Imagine trawling through over 1000 blow-up hot tub reviews! Looking for patterns of faults and common complaints. Our goal was to review the UK range and find out what is the best inflatable hot tub for you to buy in 2021 and avoid the nightmare of buying a portable hot tub that isn’t worth half the money.
Table of Contents
Our picks for the best inflatable hot tubs
This spa comes from the biggest award-winning inflatable hot tub brand in the UK: Over a million clients have put their trust in Lay-Z and this is more the good reason for you to do so.
Equipped with freeze shield technology: This prevents the water from freezing on chilly winter nights, allowing you to use your hot tub all year.
Featuring a robust massage system: The relaxing 180 AirJet system provides an all-around massage sensation for complete relaxation.
Made out of ultra-rigid drop stitched materials, the tub offers unmatched strength and longevity. Traditional Nordic hot tubs influenced the hard-sided design.
INSTANT SETUP (NO TOOLS REQUIRED): Lay-Z-Spas require no expert installation or equipment, and inflate in less than 5 minutes with the provided pump, ready to fill with water.
Outstanding 40 DEGREE CELSIUS RAPID HEATING SYSTEM: advanced pump technology allows you to heat and filter the water while the massage system is working.
A warranty Span OF UP TO TWO YEARS For your peace of mind, on all Lay-Z-Spas; we also have a dedicated UK-based aftersales staff to assist you.
This Lay-Z Spa comes equipped with the cutting-edge, relaxing 140 AirJet system which provides a full-body massage for ultimate relaxation. Featuring freeze shield technology; it ensures that your water is warm in the chilliest nights.
The duraplus beam construction delivers exceptional structural stability, cushioning comfort, UV protection, and long-term durability.
Being convenient and easy to set up with no tools requires is definitely a win as Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, you inflate it with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with water
Power Saving Timer: Plan your next hot tub session so it’s ready when you get home, and save energy when you’re not using it.
2 Years Warranty: on all Lay-Z-Spas, and they even offer a dedicated UK based aftersales team to help with your enquiries.
![CosySpa Luxury Hot Tub Spa – 40 Degree Quick Heating Inflatable Spa with 130 Air Jet Massage System [4-6 Person] (Hot Tub Only)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b4Fc37+mL._SL160_.jpg)
The Cosy Spa Hot Tub comes with a variety of high-end extras, including a comfort set with a drink holder and two head rests, as well as an optional inflated top for optimal cleanliness.
This high-quality hot tub comes with an external pump that quickly and efficiently inflates your spa system. A simple control panel is also included with the pump. Filter and cartridge (stored in external pump) are supplied, and should be changed or cleaned every 1-2 months.
Comprehensive PACKAGE – For added flexibility, each Cosy Spa Hot Tub comes with a complete and comprehensive package. A 600W air pump, 3.5m long power line, 130 x 3mm air jets, and a filter and cap are included. A ground cover is also offered for enhanced safety on diverse surfaces.
While in use, the filter will need to be cleaned every day and replaced once a month.
This CE certified hot tub comes in two sizes, one for 2-4 people and the other for 4-6 people. The smaller tub holds 800L (211 gallons) of water, while the larger tub can easily hold 1000L. (264 gallons).
Elite Materials and Composition – The luxurious Cosy Spa tub is made of a mix of hard-wearing PVC fabric and aluminium foil, and has been available since September 2020. The combination of this superior foil cover and the quick water heating mechanism provides maximum heat retention.
This square-shaped MSPA inflatable hot tub hasn’t been cutting corners both literally and metaphorically. As the 930 L beast packs quite the punch. Seats up to six people at a time.
Comes with a robust Rhino-Tech 6-layer reinforced PVC cover
Features cool cutting edge PTC Heating technology.
Other Standard Accessories include: Manometer, filter pack, garden hose adapter, inflation hose and a digital lock.
Lay-Z is a world-renowned award-winning inflatable hot tub brand. That offers 2 Years Warranty on all of their Spas, and they even offer a dedicated UK based aftersales team to help with your enquiries.
For blissful relaxation, the gentle 120 airjet system provides an all-around massage sensation.
Freeze barrier technology guarantees that your water is constantly warm and does not freeze on cold winter nights, allowing you to use your hot tub whenever you choose.
Duraplus & beam construction: delivers exceptional structural stability, cushioned comfort, UV protection, and durability for an extended life-span.
Setup in minutes (no tools required): Lay-z-spas require no expert installation or equipment and inflate in less than a minute with the attached pump, ready for water filling.
Rapid heating system at 40 degrees: innovative pump technology allows you to heat and filter the water while the massage system is running.
Set a timer for your next hot tub session so it’s ready when you come home and save power when it’s not in use.
The Lay-Z Palm Springs is fitted with the soothing 140 AirJet system which gives you an all-surrounding massage experience for pure relaxation. With freeze shield technology you can ensure that the water doesn’t freeze on cold winter nights so you can enjoy your hot tub all year round.
Moreover, the heavy construction materials provide superb structural stability, cushioned comfort, protection from UV rays and durability for long lasting use
It even offers a 40-degree Celsius rapid heating system with an enhanced pump technology that enables you to simultaneously heat and filter the water whilst running the massage system.
Again, simple to set up with no hassle or tools required. Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, inflate with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with water
Energy Saving Timer: Schedule your next hot tub session so it’s ready for when you get home and save energy when not in use. Comes with up to 2 years warranty. (As with all Lay-Z-Spas)
The Mspa Aurora has a bias air chamber design with built-in control, whisper quiet seating for six people, and a classic round appearance.
Equipped with Rhino-Tech 6 Layer Reinforced PVC Material and the traditional Round Shape.
132 innovative and dynamic air jets are strategically placed to massage your body with thousands of cushioning bubbles.
The latest spa remote control will self-inflate the spa, adjust the temperature, turn the bubbles on/off, and set the heating timer.
Size when inflated: 2.04m x 0.70m 6 persons can be accommodated.
What To Know About Inflatable Hot Tubs?
As the name implies, inflatable hot tubs are soft-sided, portable blown-up tubs filled with heated water. Great for relaxing or soothing sore muscles, they can be set up nearly anywhere — outdoors and indoors — and packed up easily to travel to the campsite or beach house.
Unlike built-in hot tubs, inflatable versions are an excellent way to soak away stress in thermal waters without spending a lot of cash or making a huge commitment.
Are Inflatable Hot Tubs Worth it?
You only have to look at the queues outside Costco, Argos and B&Q on a sunny day to understand that people go mad for a cheap inflatable hot tub. that’s not to say they’re a good idea for some! we’re talking about the pros and cons to investing in an inflatable hot tub.
Pluses and Positives:
The blow-up hot tubs are a great way of finding out if you’re going to use a hot tub. You can usually pick up a cheap inflatable Hot Tub for around £300, which is a much smaller investment than a hard-shell hot tub!
Because they are inexpensive to buy and conveniently plug into a standard U.K. socket, you can literally buy one in a box, pump it up with the air blower supplied and be in hot water on the same day. No lengthy lead times, no electrician, no hassle! You’ll also use way less electricity than a traditional 32 Amp traditional Hot Tub, saving you money in running costs.
If you’re persuaded to splash out on the real deal at some point in the future, you’ll be better prepared for knowing what type of hot tub you prefer. You’ll also have knowledge on water chemistry and all of the other chores and challenges which are associated with hot tub ownership.
Your garden will become a party-zone and you’ll have friends (some which you’d forgotten about) turn up at your house with their bathing costume! It’s a great (and relatively inexpensive) way of reconnecting with family and friends, and of course making use of your garden, which may otherwise have only been used for drying the laundry!
If your garden resembles more of a postage stamp than a country estate, you might not want a hot tub taking up precious space all year-round. Inflatable hot tubs can easily be emptied, deflated and put away until you’re ready to use it again! The bonus to being easily stored is that you can take it with you – whether you’re moving to a new house or fancy a soak at your holiday home, providing you have a water supply and electrical outlet, your inflatable hot tub can deliver!
The Downsides and liabilities:
You’ll have to regularly change the water – every 2 weeks if in daily use! The filter is very, very basic in inflatable hot tubs; not what you want when they’re responsible for collecting everything which comes off our body and keeping the water clear! The filters are disposable and don’t last long (perhaps a month) – although they’re usually only a tenner online.
It can get expensive to run as there’s no insulation to keep the water hot – usually only a lid and perhaps a ground sheet. While in the height of Summer this may not be a problem, but if you use your Hot Tub when the weather is a little cooler (or early morning/late evening), this could become expensive.
There’s no built-in or in-line purification system to keep the water clean and neutralise bacteria and water-borne germs – just a floating dispenser. This must be loaded manually with chlorine or bromine tablets and left bobbing around in the spa, meaning that you’ll use lots of chemicals and without lots of bromine/chlorine the result will be dirty. Chlorine and Bromine are bleaches, meaning that lots of chemicals will deteriorate of the insides of the blow-up spa, which cannot be avoided! The deterioration weakens the material, leaving it prone to rips and tears; these rips and tears won’t be covered under the guarantee and it’s very difficult to repair as the puncture repair material won’t stick to the now chemically-scoured sides of the spa. As an additional bonus (that was sarcasm) the blower and heater will also pack up!
While you usually get a 12-month guarantee, the lifespan of an inflatable spa is around 2 Summers use (if you’re lucky!) after which it will likely need replacing. This is also a major issue, as they are not recyclable – meaning when it inevitably breaks and you throw it out, it will sit just sit in a landfill forever! We are firm believers in environmental sustainability, so while hard shell hot tubs are also hard to recycle, a good quality model will last upwards of 10 years, lessening the need to be replaced and reducing waste!
Inflatable hot tubs only have an air blower to create the bubbles, so there is no hydrotherapy – just air! The trouble with these types of jets is you cannot control the temperature as it will be the same as the ambient surrounding air temperature. So, on a colder day, the air will cool the water dramatically.
You won’t be able to use the spa during the winter. Most blow-up spa manufacturers advise against using their hot tub in temperatures lower than 10 ° Celsius since in the winter, the heater cannot warm the water as fast as the air temperature cools the water. If you’re determined to use an inflatable Hot Tub through the winter, a great idea is to set your blow-up spa in a cabin, which will help to keep it relatively warm.
There’re no seats in the blow-up spas, so when you’re in it, you’re sitting on the floor at garden or deck level. But hey, so is everyone else in your spa and if you’ve all got a drink – who cares?
Inflatable hot tubs merits and can be a great starting point for someone dipping their toe (pun intended) into the world of hot tub ownership. That said, they are not a long-term investment, and while they’re relatively cheap to buy initially, you may pay the price later down the line!
Do Inflatable Hot Tubs Have Seats?
Inflatable spas typically don’t include seats. However, most models include some sort of cushioned bottom on which to sit, which feels comfortable enough.
Even though blow-up hot tubs don’t provide the moulded seats that other portable spas have, you can buy them separately. Plus, you can move these removable hot tub seats around to wherever you want to sit.
In fact, you can even get inflatable hot tub headrests that elevate and cushion your head and neck. Actually, I think these are much more comfortable than the standard foam headrests usually provided with portable spas.
The popular Intext spa seats typically cost about $50-60 apiece. I think that’s a fair price for a moulded seat, especially on that you can move. Plus, the drink holders really come in handy (even if you don’t have a drink).
Don’t Be Afraid of Hot Tubs Having No Seats
The height of the hot tub walls is designed for floor seating for adults, so no seat is needed (though seats are useful if you have small children). A nice advantage to not having built-in seating is that you can fit more people into your spa. You can sit wherever you want without having to sit according to some pre-set configuration.
I understand why manufacturers designed the tubs this way. With a simpler structure, there is less that can go wrong (inflatables, you know). Inflatable spas end up lasting longer and requiring less maintenance due to their sturdier frame.
When Should I Change the Water in My Inflatable Hot Tub?
When you think of enjoying your inflatable hot tub, certain images probably come to mind. Slipping into the hot bubbling water and leaning back for a deeply satisfying massage. Maybe an afternoon of family fun time. Perhaps it’s stretching out in your inflatable spa and enjoying a lazy soak in the evening after a hard, stressful day.
Whatever it is, each image is sure to include crystal clear water. And this is certainly a key aspect of enjoying your inflatable hot tub.
But not only do you have to treat the water, to keep it clean and hygienic, you also need to change the water regularly. It’s not enough to wait until it looks, feels or smells like it could do with a change. That’s because by the time it reaches that stage, you have probably been using your hot tub way past it’s change-the-water date! This in itself can cause some skin and health problems.
But knowing when to change the water can sometimes be a puzzle. Help is at hand here with our simple guide in answer to the often-asked question: How often should I change the water in my inflatable hot tub?
How To Empty Your Inflatable Hot Tub
Whichever inflatable hot tub you own, changing the water is easy enough. The precise procedure differs slightly, depending on the model you own, so be sure to check your Owner’s Manual.
These, though, are the basic steps that apply to every inflatable hot tub.
- Switch off and unplug the electricity supply to the hot tub.
- Then attach a garden hose to the drainage valve, using a hose adaptor if required.
- Place the other end of the hose into an area where the old water can drain safely away. This needs to be away from flowers, plants, and grass, as the chemicals in the hot tub water can harm them.
- Next, undo the drainage valve inside the inflatable hot tub and the water will empty out.
- Give the inside of the hot tub a good clean, including the underside of the lid.
- Re-fill the hot tub with fresh water, pop the lid back on, and re-heat the water.
But how often, then, should you change the water in your inflatable hot tub??
How Often to Change the Water in Your Portable Spa?
First off, you don’t want to or need to change the water too frequently. This will send your water – and your heating – bills through the roof (think of all that hot water pouring away, how much it cost to heat it, and how much it will cost to heat the fresh water!)
On the other hand, you also don’t want to leave the water in your inflatable hot tub for too long, as you will end up soaking in hot water that is dirty and potentially unhygienic and unsafe. There is an article you might want to read over on the Good Housekeeping website which deals with the potential problems of using a hot tub when the water is not clean, which you can read here.
Getting the balance right between changing your water too-often and not-enough is a bit like trying to balance a seesaw.
Fortunately, we have a general rule you can use, to help work out when to change the water in your inflatable hot tub. It goes like this:
Take the number of gallons your inflatable hot tub holds, which you’ll find in your owner’s manual or on each of our reviews. Divide this number by 3. Then take that number and divide it by the number of people who regularly use the hot tub every day. The number you end up with shows you how often you should change the water.
Signs It Is Time to Change the Water in Your Inflatable Hot Tub
These are some of the most important signs to look out for. They tell you that you need to change the water in your inflatable hot tub as soon as possible.
Cloudy Water
When the water in your hot tub starts to look cloudy, the first thing you need to do is shock it. See our helpful guide on How to Shock Your Inflatable Hot Tub for everything you need to know about how to do this.
If shocking your hot tub water doesn’t work, however, then change the water straight away.
Foam
The first thing you need to do if the water looks foamy is to use a hot tub de-foamed, such as Spa Guard Spa Anti Foam. This usually clears up the problem and you can carry out using your hot tub freely.
If the foam returns soon after you use the de-foamed, however, then it is time to empty out the water, clean your hot tub, and re-fill it with fresh water.
Smelly Water
The moment you take the cover of your inflatable hot tub, and notice that the water smells: change the water. You might find some sites telling you to add chemicals or try some tricks. But the truth is, you really need to drain the tub and fill it with fresh, clean, door-free water.
Time
Keep an eye on when you last changed the water in your portable spa. If it has been two months or longer, then it is definitely time to change it. No matter how fresh it seems and how much you have used it.
Remember: there can be bacteria lurking in the water, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Pee
Many people are surprised to learn that peeing in an inflatable hot tub can be extremely dangerous! That’s because pee contains a chemical called urea. The urea in the pee mixes with the sanitizer in the hot tub water to create a hazardous nitrogen compound called chloramine.
Now chloramine can cause some nasty problems which come from exposure to the chemical on your skin and by breathing in the steam from your hot tub water. These health hazards include:
- sore throats
- breathing difficulties
- coughs
- wheezing
- asthma
- skin conditions
- susceptibility to bacterial infections
So, if you know, or suspect, that someone has peed in your inflatable hot tub, you should first shock the water. If there is still a strong smell of chemicals after you’ve shocked it – say a day or so after – then there are probably traces of urine left on the hot tub’s vinyl. So, you’re going to have to empty your hot tub and give it a good clean.
How To Clean Your Inflatable Hot Tub
If you just empty out the water and replace it, however, you might be putting your nice fresh water into a hot tub that is not 100% clean or hygienic itself. This means the water you are putting in can quickly become dirty again or, even worse, unhygienic and unsafe.
Therefore, every time you empty your inflatable hot tub, it’s worth spending 10-15 minutes giving it a thorough cleaning. This will end up saving you time – and maybe some problems – down the line.
Preparing Your Inflatable Hot Tub for Cleaning
Please remember: whenever you are going to empty your hot tub, and every time you are going to clean it, you must turn off the power to your hot tub first.
When you’ve done that, you are ready to empty your inflatable hot tub. Although each model is a little different in how to do this, the procedure is basically the same.
To start with, remove any larger pieces of debris, such as leaves, from the water using your hand or a spa net. This is so that they don’t block the drainage valve when the water empties out. If you have one, you might even want to use a spa vacuum to get any debris or bits off the floor of the hot tub, although it’s definitely not necessary to buy one of these.
When you have removed any leaves and debris from the water, you need to disconnect the filter pump. With it turned off and unplugged, insert any stopper plugs your model has. Then loosen the hose clamps and remove any debris screens from the inside (always refer to your owner’s manual or DVD if you are not sure how to do this).
Next, you need to disconnect the hoses from the filter pump, and remove the filter housing and filter cartridges from the hot tub. This is a good opportunity to give the filter a clean out, so wash it out well with a garden hose.
Draining Your Inflatable Hot Tub
Once the filter is disconnected and the housing rinsed thoroughly, you need to drain your hot tub. Your spa has a drainage valve at the bottom of the hot tub which you will need to unscrew or open. Before you do that, though, you don’t want the water to simply pour out of the tub where it is sitting. What you need to do is attach a garden hose to the drainage valve and have the water drain away through this hose.
Your hot tub will usually come with a garden hose adaptor, like the one on the left. You screw this onto the drainage valve and then attach your hose to the adaptor.
If your inflatable hot tub didn’t come with an adaptor or a drainage valve – or if you have misplaced them, as we sometimes do! – you can buy these cheaply and easily on the internet or from your local spa and pool store. Just make sure they will fit the make and model of your hot tub.
Keep in mind that the water from your hot tub has chemicals in it, and these can easily kill flowers and plants, as well as harm grass. Therefore, make sure you drain your hot tub water into a suitable drainage area.
How To Clean the Surfaces of Your Portable Spa?
Once your hot tub is drained, you’ll find that using some warm water and a soft cloth – along with a little hard work on your part – should remove most of the dirt on the outside surfaces of your inflatable hot tub.
Spray the surfaces with water from a spray bottle and wipe down firmly with your cloth. This will be sufficient for 99% of any surface marks or grime.
For more stubborn stains, try a squirt of mild detergent in some warm water, such as washing up liquid or – as we prefer – liquid hand soap. If you do use a detergent solution, remember to thoroughly rinse down the surfaces afterwards with clean water.
No matter how stubborn the stains are, you should never use a scrubbing brush on your inflatable spa, either on the outside or the inside. You might see some websites or videos saying it’s okay to use a brush; but even the softest of bristles can scratch the surface of your inflatable hot tub and shorten its lifespan.
For the inside of your inflatable hot tub, again you can use a soft cloth and some clean water.
If you find that just using water doesn’t move this build-up, or if there are some hard-to-clean stains, then you definitely want to avoid using detergents or soap. The problem with these is that they create suds, which you really don’t want inside your portable spa, as they can get into your air bubble jets and filter system. This will then cause foaming when you refill the hot tub and start using it again.
If you do find you have to remove stubborn stains, then there are several special hot tub surface cleaners you can buy. We like to use Leisure Time Citra bright All-Purpose Spa Cleaner from Amazon, which you spray on the stain and wipe over with a damp cloth or sponge. Although it doesn’t leave any residue, we still rinse the area well with clean water. You don’t need to use much of the cleaner to get rid of tough stains, so a bottle lasts a long time. It’s also good for cleaning up patio furniture as well!
How To Clean Your Water Filters
Even though there are a wide range of inflatable hot tub manufacturers, and many models to choose from, the water filters they use are really quite similar, and so our advice on cleaning them is good for all types.
As they are key to keeping your portable spa functioning as efficiently as possible, in terms of water hygiene and cleanliness, you need to pay special attention to the water filters.
Most inflatable hot tubs have either one, sometimes even two or more, water filter cartridges. We recommend removing them once a week, and giving them a good cleaning. It’s relatively easy to do this – just hose them down with a regular garden hose.
We also find that using a special filter cleaning tool is a great idea, such as the Mi-Way Aqua comb. It attaches to your garden hose, and powers the water deep into the fins of the filter for a really good clean. It’s also adjustable, so you can control the force of the water as well. Using the tool also helps prolongs the life of your filter cartridges, so you get the small initial outlay back by having to buy fewer filters
Top Tip: Every couple of months, put your filters in your dishwasher without any detergent. This is a fantastic way to give them a thorough cleaning.
Remember, though, that water filter cartridges do not last forever. So, make sure you have a couple of replacements on hand. There’s nothing worse than getting a filter out to clean it, and finding that it is looking worse for wear and needs replacing – but you don’t have one to hand. So always keep a few in your store cupboard.
How To Clean Your Hot Tub Cushions and Pillows
If you have some accessories with your hot tub, such as cushions or a headrest, then you’ll want to give these a cleaning once a month as well.
Lift out the cushions and set them on the ground. Then remove the head rests and place them on the ground alongside.
Both the cushions and the head rests can be cleaned using a mild soap and water solution, with a soft cloth. You might find they both have a slight build-up of body or hair oils. If this is the case, use some spa cleaner.
Always thoroughly rinse the cushions and pillows with fresh water, using your garden hose, before you put them back into the spa.
How To Clean the Spa Lid?
Don’t forget to clean the underside of your hot tub cover and lid especially well.
That’s because whenever you use your hot tub and then put the lid on when you have finished, the steam from the water rises and is trapped by the lid or cover. This steam then condenses into droplets, and within these drops of condensation are the chemicals and even traces of body oils from the water. These will accumulate on the underside of the cover or lid and form a thin coating on the surface. When you start using your hot tub again, and the steam rises, it will moisten these dried-on chemicals and oils. These will then fall back into the water in the new droplets.
Therefore, we recommend that you definitely should use either a detergent and warm water solution or some spa surface cleaner for this underside of the lid.
As always, rinse the lid off thoroughly with clean water when you finish and before you put it back onto the spa.
One great way that helps cut down on cleaning the outside of your inflatable hot tub lid is to apply a product such as 303 UV Protectant. This is a spray-on product that repels dust and dirt, helping to keep your lid clean and free from stains. It also keeps your cover looking like new by protecting it from direct sunlight, keeping it from fading, discoloration, and cracking.
Tips On Keeping Your Inflatable Hot Tub Clean
Although it doesn’t take long to clean your inflatable hot tub, it is always a good idea to try and keep it as clean as possible. This saves you time in the long run. After all, the reason you have your hot tub is for enjoyment. Not work!
Here then are some tips on how to keep your inflatable hot tub clean, and save on cleaning time down the line.
Always Shower First
Always make sure that you, and anyone else using the hot tub, has a shower before getting into the spa. This will remove the body oils, lotions, cosmetics, and so forth, which come off in the hot water of the spa, and create a build-up on the spa surfaces.
Keep Your Hot Tub Covered
Get into the habit of always replacing the hot tub cover when it is not being used. Even if you are just popping inside to make a sandwich, slip the cover on (no need to lock it in that instance, unless there are small children around). This prevents any airborne debris from settling on the water.
Putting the cover on also helps keep the heat in, and cuts down on heating and running costs. If you are interested in the running costs of a hot tub.
Change The Water Filter
When you clean the water filter, which as we saw above you should do once a week, be honest with yourself as to how much longer you can use it for. If you think the water filter needs replacing, then do so.
Top Tip: If you decide it is time to change your water filter, then soak the new filter in a diluted hot tub filter cleaner for 24 hours before you fit it. We always recommend using Leisure Time Filter Cartridge Cleaner, which is bromine- and chlorine-free.
Fill a bucket or large bowl with water, and add the correct ratio of hot tub filter cleaner. Place the filter in the water, making sure it is fully submerged. Leave it in the solution for 24 hours, then remove and give it a good rinse before fitting the new filter in place.
Use Some Scum Bugs
You’ll find that the toughest part of cleaning your inflatable hot tub is around the water line, and on the inside of the lid. This is where you get a build-up of chemical residue, body oils, sweat, and so forth.
Thankfully, there is a product that greatly cuts down on this problem, by absorbing the chemicals, oils, and even debris and small insects that accumulate and build up in portable spa. These are the so-called scum bugs that cost just a few dollars over on sites like Amazon.
Don’t be put off by the name though, as they work really well! They are chemical-free sponges that are shaped like a kid’s drawing of a large bug. They float on top of the water and absorb all the body oils, sweat, cosmetics, suntan lotion, and contaminates in the hot tub water, preventing a scum line from building up. What’s also great is that they are washable (we always wash ours in the dishwasher) and re-usable.
You’ll see there are different variations of these online, such as floating stars, floating flowers, a turtle, and so on. But the scum bugs are our #1 choice and are the best-selling variety on a number of websites.
They are definitely one of the cleaning products that make many inflatable hot tub owners’ lives so much easier.