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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. To clean the shell with vinegar, … What about the frequency of draining? Along with these basic cleanings, you should also chemically clean the hot tub filters every 3-4 months to remove trapped oils and lotions. "This article answered a few of the deep cleaning questions that are not in the hot tub manual, which only really, "We just got a hot tub from our friend and have never owned a hot tub. Once a month, on top of your regular rinse, use a spray specifically designed for hot tub filters to clean. Copyright 2020, ByRossi. Lounging around in your hot tub after a long day of work or play is a relaxing way to wind down. Deep clean your filter or purchase a new one. It’s also really inexpensive, so you’ll save money using vinegar to clean your hot tub instead of a special cleaner. A difference in the color of the water (green, yellow, brown, white). This basically means that dirt, bacteria and organic matter in the water has saturated the water to the point where your shock, sanitizer and filtration system can’t deal with the problem. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Test your hot tub after the shock/sanitization wait time has elapsed. This article has been viewed 250,083 times. The great thing about using white vinegar to clean your hot tub is that it is powerful enough to remove most scum and hard water lines. This particular product is a 6 in 1 formula designed to sanitize, shock, treat algae, remove contaminants, and reduce eye irritation. It’s draining half of the water and refilling it. Vinegar includes no harmful chemicals. Run your filter through the dishwasher twice for best results. End-to-End Guide: How to Drain a Hot Tub Properly. If you have an auxiliary plug, use it to get rid of water from plumbing. Nothing like the soothing, relaxing bath in a hot tub, but cleaning it can be quite a chore. I gained some great insight into how to clean the inside of my tub without harsh, "We learned easier ways to clean the hot tub this season. By staying on top of your hot tub cleaning, you might find that maintaining your hot tub is less of a chore than you imagined. Before you empty your hot tub for cleaning, run a special cleanser through the lines to remove any mold or bacteria. And after a thorough cleaning of your hot tub, even your neighbors will want to take a dip! A pre-filter is essential if you have hard water in your area. The extra abrasion of baking soda in addition to its cleaning properties will help your rag or sponge cut through the dirtiness, but is gentle enough that it should leave your acrylic shell unaffected. It can also occur due to low calcium hardness or imbalanced water. Very good video. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-hot-tub/#.V0cUVJErLIU, https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/healthy-communities/water-recreation/~/media/depts/health/environmental-health/documents/water-recreation/spa-hot-tub-safety-guidelines.ashx, http://www.swimuniversity.com/how-to-drain-and-clean-a-hot-tub/, http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/spa-hot-tub-cleaning.html, http://www.hottubguide.com/hot-tub-cleaning.php, http://www.swimuniversity.com/7-household-products-clean-hot-tub/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This will prevent germs, contaminations, health risks, and will prolong the filter’s lifespan. The bacteria at this part of the cover will grow and may create mold over time. Rub the oil into the stained area until the sap/pitch begins to break up, then wipe the surface clean with a rag, mild soap, and water. Hook the system up to your spa and allow the water to filter through. With the hot tub empty, proceed to spray down its interior surfaces with a hot tub cleaning product (these, too, are sold online and at pool supply stores). You may notice that you cannot achieve an adequate pH (7.2 – 7.8) or Total Alkalinity (80 – 150 ppm) level. The most common places to drain a hot tub’s water include the lawn, garden, or a sewer system. Leaving behind cleaner can affect the chemical balance of your hot tub, which can hurt your water clarity or create an environment where mold or bacteria could grow. Note: Don’t worry if a gross-looking foam appears, this indicates that the pipes are really dirty. Run the hose to the place you drain the water. Over the winter my hot tub was emptied but it has become completely mouldy. Wipe down the surface of the hot tub with a specially-formulated hot tub cleaner, then rinse the shell completely and wipe it down with a towel. If it's a consistent problem, i.e. The hot tub’s cover accumulates a lot of dirt from the environment; it needs to be cleaned every three months to prevent the bacteria from getting into the water. Once the lines are clean, turn off the power to the hot tub, then drain the tub according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then you can fill the foot-well of your tub, if necessary. Attach a garden hose. Check whether your hot tub has an auxiliary plug. But to be on the safe side, double-check with your hot tub manufacturer that it’s OK to use an all-purpose cleaner. Cleaning hot tub filters with vinegar works well because it breaks down rust and hard water deposits while dissolving away grime. To drain the water with a sump pump, follow the steps: Check this 3 Best Sump Pumps tested & approved by a hot tub designer and an engineer. When the hot tub is empty, turn the sump pump off and detach the hose. If you replace all the water without flushing the lines first, you risk contaminating the new water. Note: The Shop-Vac works like a vacuum cleaner and cannot be used to drain all the water from the hot tub. Turn the sump pump on and start draining. It filters out all the dirt and contaminants, therefore it requires a deep cleaning at least once every three months after draining the water. Peter Rossi is a professional hot tub designer, ex-Head of Product Design at Jacuzzi Group,…. It helps the hot tub filter to remove contaminants from the water and ensures that you have clean and pure water in your hot tub. The combination of electricity and water is dangerous and it can damage your hot tub. It won’t hurt your pipes or anything, it just won’t be effective. Wondering how to find and fix your leaking hot tub? What is the best and cheapest way to remove grit and sand with the hot tub still full? Even if it appears clean at a glance, give it a good scrub to keep it that way. You can use a soft cloth along with warm, soapy water to clean all surfaces. Clorox is a trusted name in cleaning and their chemicals for hot tubs are no exception. You will need two products: test strips and a sanitizer (chlorine or bromine). 12. Tired of unclear, contradictory advice? Due to dirty pipes, your hot tub water can turn a red-yellow color and can cause a foul odor over time. You can create this mixture simply by mixing ¼ teaspoon of dichlor into 5 gallons (19 L) of water. Do I add the flush chemical to the water already in my tub or should I refill it first? to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com at no extra cost to you. Follow 5 easy steps to drain water with a garden hose: You can use a sump pump if you find it difficult to drain all of the water or if it is taking much longer than you wish. Scrub the inside of your filter cabinet with your tub cleaner or a 50 ppm dichlor/water solution. Even if your sanitizer level is perfect, your hot tub can still develop a biofilm: a bacteria that isolates itself from the chlorine and starts exposing other contaminants like legionnaires or Staphylococcus. You can create this mixture simply by mixing ¼ teaspoon of dichlor into 5 gallons (19 L) of water. This is a special hot tub cleaner formulated to break down the biofilm. Frequently cleaning the filter will extend its life. Before refiling make sure the breaker is still off and the jets are opened. Then drain the tub. – Get every last bit of water out of the tub– Wet and Dry Vacuum perfect for household application– Large capacity (6 gallons). Disinfect your filter(s) in a chlorine solution. Once you have drained the water, we recommend using a Shop-Vac to remove all the water from hard-to-reach places such as the footwell, jets, and pipes. Investigation of Spa Pools Associated with Lung Disorders Caused by Mycobacterium avium Complex in Immunocompetent Adultshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC492441/, 2. We’ve got you covered! Many people drain onto the grass; however, if you opt to do this, you will need to continually move the hose to prevent flooding. Bacteria or organic matter, like mold, can grow in the housing of your filter. Swimmer, Protect Thyself: Cleaning Up the Pool Environmenthttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974719/, 7. Draining the water with a garden hose is the most popular and the cheapest way to drain a hot tub. Cruickshank, H. (2018, June 6). The 5 mistakes you'll probably make in your first relationship. Harsh chemicals should NEVER be used on … It’s also a good idea to go ahead and rinse the cleaner off with a hose, then give it another wipe with a towel just to make sure you remove all the solution. You can always clean a hot tub cover this same way. What can I do if the water in my hot tub has turned green? With test strips, you can check the pH (should be 7.2 – 7.8), Total Alkalinity (should be 80 – 150 ppm), and chlorine/bromine levels — the most important indicators of safe water. Having drained the water from your hot tub, you have an opportunity to clean the shell and soak the filter in chemicals. With someone in the pool, have someone else turn on the vacuum in short runs to clean out the sand and grit. You'll also want to turn all the air valves of your hot tub off. This final long weekend of the summer is a perfect opportunity to prepare your hot tub for the winter. The pump motor may also break down if it is running in an empty hot tub. These bacteria can pose serious health concerns like intense stomach illness, skin rashes, eye, and ear irritation. If you're cleaning an outdoor hot tub, rinse it with a garden hose and allow the excess water to drain. Finally, give the shell of your hot tub a good clean and secure tightly with the cover. Find the main hot tub drain plug. Retrieved from Health Line: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cdc-finds-pools-hot-tubs-cause-waterborne-disease-outbreaks#1, 9. Once your hot tub is empty, it’s time to go in with a soft cloth and cleaner. The hose should be empty before draining. What is the cleaning procedure in this case? If flushing your lines has released a cloudy discharge into the water, you may have to completely empty your hot tub of water. Check your instruction manual before attempting to clean your filter in your dishwasher. This will ensure that your filter gets cleaned all over thoroughly and completely. Specially formulated hot tub cleaners are made to cut through grime and will make the cleaning process easier. References ", "I did not know about the line flush, I will be getting it asap.". – Deep filter cleaning– Works with all sanitizers– Removes organic contaminants (cosmetics residues, dirt)– Economical to us, – Maintains, and increases the longevity of the hot tub– Breaks down organic buildups (scale, dirt, oil)– Compatible with all surfaces. Generally, you'll add the flush to your hot tube while it is running for a period of time indicated in the instructions of the flush treatment. It’s the equivalent of sanding a car. DO NOT use any cleaning products containing abrasives since these could dull the brilliant surface. You can then apply a cover cleaner on the surface to clean the cover properly. If you notice discoloration in the water, you may have to do another round of cleaning! If you have not used any hot tub for a long time, the first thing is to do is fill the tub. We're too. Try addressing the problem, making sure the power is switched off before you do anything. For minor surface cleaning: Use common baking soda to clean small surface areas. Provided you take your time and clean and drain your hot tub safely, you can ensure that you will have a clean and safe hot tub to use. As heat rises from your hot tub, a well-insulated cover will act as a barrier and prevent the heat from escaping. Cleaning the shell will ensure that water is sanitized and clean to use. Acrylic hot tub shells are resistant to buildup and germ aggregation. The sanitizer will help to keep your hot tub bacteria-free. Now you can turn on the breaker which will allow the system to start up. Once your tub appears clean, fill and treat the water. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. A 50 ppm dichlor/water solution, while an exceptional cleaner, can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs. Cleaning Your Spa Soak in your spa’s sparkling clean water by following these simple cleaning tips. Foaming.Foaming water can result due to soap residues or the use of cosmetics. However, if you noticed that the hot tub is really dirty in hard-to-reach places, you need to use Shop-Vac (also called Wet Vac). This makes draining an essential part of your hot tub cleaning routine. However, you shouldn’t miss the draining part since it allows deep cleaning — flushing the lines, cleaning the filter, shell, and the cover. Draining the water with the garden hose takes time, but don’t try to accelerate the process with the help of a hot tub pump. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It is located at the bottom or at the corner of a hot tub. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. This cleaning procedure is required before you drain your hot tub. Hot tub health benefits. Step 1: Maintaining the Appropriate Chemical Levels. 3rd edition. Before using a cover cleaner, wash off the dirt and leaves from the surface of the cover with a garden hose. Ordinary household vinegar has an average acidity pH level that can range from two to four. Turn the pump on and let the spa drain. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Just one more step before enjoying your time in your hot tub. It deals with this task perfectly. You can drain water on grass if it is balanced, otherwise, the lawn may suffer and turn yellow. Retrieved from By Rossi: https://byrossi.com/all-hot-tub-health-benefits/, 14. In between wash cycles, you'll want to turn your filter over. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Be sure to wear gloves, eye protection, and to use long-handled brushes to prevent irritation. Empty your hot tub. The sump pump will streamline the draining process. Then wipe it away with an absorbent towel. Consider flushing the lines of your tub before draining. Make sure you know and do what it takes to keep your hot tub clean to stay healthy and safe. The best alternatives for hot tubs that may let you down – Expert review, The Best Coleman Hot Tubs 2020 & Reviews (Avoid Counterfeit! According to the investigations of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, hot tub contamination might cause severe diseases like pneumonia and even STDs, and what’s worse is the fact that contaminations and health risks of hot tubs are usually invisible to the naked eye. The result is a beautiful and shining shell that will help prevent scum lines and keep your hot tub looking brand new. Once you’ve got rid of dirt on the filter and the shell, you should carefully rinse these parts with water to eliminate residues of chemicals. It might be cheaper to use a pipe cleaner than empty, clean out the spa, and refill. There is no need to replace a filter every time it gets dirty. You can use a hot tub vacuum cleaner. This will prevent your hot tub from aerating too much when you treat your hot tub water. Use baking soda for busting up gunk and and organic goo. This will prevent the formation of foamy water. Replacing the water in your hot tub is important since it allows you to get rid of the “old”, saturated water. Draining the water gives you a chance to clean out the shell of the hot tub as well as the filters, along with the front ends of the hot tub jets. The pump should not be on when there is no water in the hot tub, as it can burn the motor. The exterior shell of your hot tub is made to withstand buildup, so it can be gently wiped and sprayed clean with warm water. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Then flip over the cover and clean the other side. In this guide, we provide you with the best steps to ensure that you can drain your hot tub easily and safely.
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( 2010, October 13 ) //www.healthline.com/health-news/cdc-finds-pools-hot-tubs-cause-waterborne-disease-outbreaks # 1, 9 small surface areas Michelle Driscoll is Owner! Perfect for owners of big hot tubs or entrepreneurs who have a lockable cover can... Windex and soft scrub, often may be used to drain all draining! Personshttps: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730339/, 5 your spa soak in your hot tub 'll also want to maintain! 
