How To Fix Foaming Hot Tub Water

Have you ever gone to get in your hot tub only to find the surface covered in strange, foamy bubbles? It can really put a damper on your excitement for a nice relaxing soak. However, by learning why these bubbles appear and how to quickly make them go away, you’ll never let a little foam get in the way of your hot tub time again.

Why Does the Foam Appear?


Determining the cause of foam is perhaps the most difficult step in the entire process and may take some time. Generally speaking, the foam occurs when a foreign substance reacts with the spa’s chemicals. These substances typically include hair care products like shampoo, conditioner, and other hair treatments, body lotions, deodorants, makeup, laundry detergents, poor-quality hot tub products, and even drinks.

How to Treat Hot Tub Foam


In the event you find your hot tub covered in that annoying bubbly substance, don’t fear: it’s a quick and easy fix. It’s important to remember, too, that although unattractive and irritating, the foam cannot actually hurt your or your fellow hot tubbers. First be sure to test the pH, alkalinity, and sanitization levels of your water. You should also check the water for high TDS (total dissolved solids) levels, as this can often cause foam.  The second step is to stop by your trusted spa shop to purchase an anti-foam chemical. These spa chemicals are safe for immediate use and quickly dissolve the foam.

Anti-foam chemicals typically tackle almost all levels of foamy hot tub water. However, if you continue to struggle with the problem or continue to have high TDS levels, you’ll have to drain and refill your tub - a task that should be done every three to four months regardless.

Preventing Foamy Hot Tub Water


Being cautious about how you prepare before stepping into the hot tub and what you bring into the hot tub will greatly affect the amount and frequency of foam. Along with getting in the habit of rinsing off in the shower prior to tub time, you should also opt for rinsing your bathing suit with cool, clean water rather than using detergent. Make a strict “no food, no drink in the hot tub” rule and splurge for the high-quality spa chemicals. You’ll be glad you did.  
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Comments

jeff
February 24, 2021

?Foam? Add a tablespoon or two of fabric softener. Done.
(A common prank before swim meets years ago was to clandestinely dump a box of laundry detergent in the pool a couple hours beforehand. As soon as swimmers hit the water for the first race the whole pool would turn into a bubble bath! Funny stuff—until the pool manager would send out to the convenience store a a block away for a bottle of Downy—-foam gone fast—swim meet on.)

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