Any hot tub or spa owner knows that they should be doing things regularly to help maintain their hot tub’s cleanliness but how many of us actually know what that schedule should be? Anyone? Bueller?

Well here’s a post that will take the guesswork out of your hot tub maintenance schedule!

Weekly:

Water

Everyone knows that chlorine is at the forefront of keeping your spa water hygienic. Adding one chlorine tablet to your hot tub every week will keep your water clean and sparkling. Make sure you’re also checking the water’s chemistry on a weekly or biweekly basis, depending on how much your hot tub is getting used.

Weekly shock or superchlorination may also be necessary every week if the spa is used frequently. Just make sure you do this at night because no one should get into superchlorinated water for eight hours after treatment.

Monthly:

The Filter

Your filter catches all the dirt and debris that enters your hot tub during use and can affect the spa’s performance. If it isn’t cleaned, there’s a chance your hot tub won’t function properly because the water won’t flow the way it’s supposed to. It’s not necessary to replace your filter altogether every time it gets dirty. If you’re cleaning your filter off regularly, it’s likely to extend the life of the filter you’re using.

Each filter manufacturer should provide care instructions. Most standard filters can be removed and sprayed off with a garden house. Lay it on the ground and spray into the pleats to remove any trapped dirt particles that may have gathered in the hot tub.

Many filters can also be soaked in a bucket of spa filter cleaner. To do this, place the filter into bucket or specially designed filter-cleaning bag with spa filter cleaning solution that you can purchase at your local pool supply store. It will help to dislodge any trapped debris or dirt that will then float into the water. After a good soaking according to instructions that come with the solution, the filter should be sprayed again to remove any dirt and cleaner. You don’t want the remaining solution on the filter to affect the chemistry in your hot tub.

One helpful tip is to have an additional filter on hand. This way, you can have the dirty filter soak and the replacement put in so that you can use your hot tub right away without having to wait for one to get clean. If you’re putting in a dry filter you may also be helping to keep your spa’s lines clean.

Hot Tub Cover

The outside of your hot tub cover is constantly exposed to the sun and elements and is prone to collecting dirt. To help preserve its life, make sure you’re wiping down your cover at least once a month with a mild cleaner, like a teaspoon of dish soap diluted into a bucket of warm water.

In addition, you’ll want to use a vinyl protectant that is made especially for this purpose after wiping off all the dirt and debris. Vinyl protectant is most likely sold by local pool supply/hot tub dealers in your area or you can often find it online. Only use this cleaner on the top portion of the cover because using it on the inside is not only unnecessary, but will affect your water’s chemistry. To clean the underside, spray with a hose and let it air dry.

Quarterly:

Drain

Every three months, you should be draining and replacing the water in your tub according to the instructions in your owner’s manual. Spa water often accumulates oils, detergent residue, and soap film from constant use that is maintained by chlorine but often needs a hard reset, so to speak. This is achieved by refilling the tub with new water.

Clean the Shell

Once you’ve drained the water, you should take the time to thoroughly clean the shell before refilling with new water. Acrylic shells are pretty simple to clean since the non-porous surface doesn’t allow for dirt, film, or germs to get into it. Use a mild bathroom cleaner that doesn’t create bubbles and wipe down the shell with a damp sponge or soft rag to remove dirt build-up. You can also use baking soda as a non-abrasive cleaner. Rinse out the tub once it’s been wiped down and then refill. Don’t use a harsh cleaner, scrub brush, or any product that contains bleach. You don't want to destroy the coating on the acrylic.

If you want to clean the acrylic above the water line while the spa is still full, make sure you use a natural enzyme cleaner recommended by your local pool supply store or the spa manufacturer. Using regular soaps and cleaners while the tub is still full is likely to affect the water chemistry.

Refill

Last step—refill your hot tub. You may consider using a filter that attaches to the garden hose that can remove organic contaminants from the hose water before introducing it to the spa.

Prevention

You can do a lot to keep your hot tub clean by making sure you shower off without soap before getting into your hot tub for a good soak. You can also make sure you rinse your bathing suit after use to help keep oils, detergent, and soap residue from building up in your water in the first place.

There you have it. A simple, effective game plan. Here’s hoping you get the most out of your spa by keeping it clean and functional!