March 24th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

A new hot tub is exciting, but it can also be a little daunting. The hardest part of getting any tub new or old ready for use is making sure that all the parts are in working order (and there are many!) and then cleaning it thoroughly. After that, you're good to go! In this blog we will go over a few important tips to ensure your hot tub is ready for you to relax in:

Clean the body

If you have had your hot tub in storage during winter or if it is your first hot tub, one of the most important things to do before even thinking of filling it with water is to give the area a good clean. Use an anti-bacterial cleaner to remove any watermarks, dirt or dust that may have gathered.

This step is incredibly important to ensure not only that your hot tub continues to run at its best but also to protect yourself too! If you don’t clean and maintain your hut tub then it can become a host for a whole range of bacteria which can lead to skin irritation commonly known as ‘Hot tub rash’ which can appear as small pink bumps that may scab over or become filled with pus – which is not something you want!

Check your filters

When you're getting ready to use your hot tub, it is also important to check the filters to check for signs of damage and replace them if needed and to also clean them to remove any dirt or grime. The filter is one of the most important parts of your hot tub as it will remove contaminants from your water in order to keep it clean, which is why it is important to take care of them so it can keep doing its job.

If you notice any damage to your filter then it is important that you replace it before you fill your hot tub, however, if it looks to be in working order then you can go ahead and clean it. There are two ways to clean your filter, the first is to leave it soaking overnight in a solution of water and non-foaming filter cleaning, or if you can’t wait to get into your hot tub then the Ultima Instant filter clean will let you clean your filter in around 15 minutes!

1L Ultima Plus XP Instant Filter Cleaner Spray

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Now that you've got your hot tub clean, it’s time to get the water ready:

Now that you’ve cleaned the surface of your hot tub and treated your filters it’s time to go ahead and add water - the amount of water needed will vary depending on your model and size so you should refer to your user manual to check how much water is needed but a general rule of thumb is to ensure jets are covered, and that you do not exceed any maximum water indicators, also make sure to leave enough space between the eater and any rubber pillows as this can cause them to deteriorate.

Once you have filled your hot tub it is time to test the water this is so you know what kind of chemicals you need to add. The pH and chlorine levels will need to be checked.  

Test the water for pH levels.

To check the pH level of your hot tub water you can use a simple testing kit, which can be purchased from hardware stores or online retailers this will – your water should have a pH level between 7.2-7.8 anything lower will be too acidic and can cause irritation while anything higher will result in limescale build-up or cloudy water. Once you know your pH level you will need to use a pH increaser or decreaser depending on your needs.

Test the chlorine levels.

You will also need to check chlorine levels, getting the right amount is important as chlorine is essential for preventing bacteria growth however too much can result in skin irritation. The perfect level of Chlorine in your hot tub is between 1-3 ppm. Use a chlorine testing strip to check you have the right levels and check this regularly so you can maintain the correct levels – ideally should be checked 2-3 times a week.

Pro-Kleen Stabilised Chlorine Granules - 5kg

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Other Chemicals you need

Now that we have discussed the essentials that you need to get your water ready, there are a few other chemicals that you will need to use in your hot tub in order to maintain the hot tub and keep your water clean.

Spa Clarifier

Spa Clarifiers will keep your hot tub water clean and clear. It is a binding agent that will make particles too small to pass through the filter bind together making it easier for the system to filter these out of the water and rap them.  

System Flush

A complete system flush is recommended every 3 months, as the name suggests this will flush your system of any dirt, grease and grime that has built up during use and will require you to empty water from your hot tub and refill it. While this may seem like a time-consuming task it is very important to ensure that your hot tub keeps working at its best.

Scale Stop

Another important chemical to include in your hot tub routine is scale stop, this is especially important if you live in a hard water area as it will help to prevent the build-up of limescale which can not only affect water quality but the important mechanical parts of your hot tub. It is recommended to add this to your water once a week.

Algaecide

Like any body of water, hot tubs are at risk of developing algae, especially when left standing during periods of non-use. Add this to your water once a week in small doses to help prevent algae.

A couple of other things to keep in mind

Now that we have discussed the important chemicals to use to get the water ready and the chemicals to use in order to maintain your water and hot tub system, a couple of other things to keep in mind is to make sure you follow your manufacturer’s guide in regards to taking care of your hot tub. It is also very important to not mix chemicals at the same time, use each treatment on different days or wait for each product to be fully dissolved this will prevent the creation of any dangerous chemical mixtures and prevent the water from foaming.