How to Clean Your Hot Tub-A Step by Step Guide to Doing it Right
REG’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CLEANING YOUR HOT TUB.
It’s easy to put your hot tub in top condition…thanks to these tips from Reg Akright, Head Service Technician, who’s celebrating 23 years at Olympic Hot Tub. That’s Reg at right in front of the Hot Spring factory in Vista, California.
♥ BEFORE YOU DRAIN & CLEAN THE SHELL
If you haven’t used your hot tub in awhile, but the water’s been sitting in it, use System Flush to clean out any mold, organic matter or bio-film from the plumbing lines.
To properly system flush your tub, remove the filters turn on the jets and pour System Flush directly into the filter compartment. Run all jet pumps for at least 45 minutes, open up the waterfall-if you have one on your tub-and turn all valves & levers. Then, turn the jets off and let your tub sit overnight with the power on and circulating pump running. Drain the next day following the instructions on the bottle. Most “icky” stuff hides where you can’t see it. Use System Flush to “detoxify” and remove build-up from normal use. Restores plumbing and jets to like-new condition.
Let sit overnight and then drain.
Now’s a perfect time to try SilkBalance! It’s all-natural & gives you soft smooth skin after every soak. No testing or mixing or adding anything but SilkBalance and shock. Before you do, add System Flush to your tub and let sit overnight. Most “icky stuff” hides where you can’t see it. Use to “detoxify” and remove build up from normal use.
♥ DRAIN THE SPA AND CLEAN THE SHELL
Unplug 110V spas; turn all breakers off on 220V spas.
Use only shell cleaning agents approved by the manufacturer: Windex®, SoftScrub®,Alkalinity Increaser (baking soda). For best results, use GelGloss Cleaner® and a Merlin Magic Sponge. GelGloss is thick and effective for removing oils, dirt, and scum from all spa surfaces, plus it won’t scratch. Protects and polishes the spa surface, repels dirt.
♥ CHECK EQUIPMENT BAY FOR CRITTERS.
Do you see mounds of fine, yellowish powder inside the equipment bay or near the spa, and reddish brown ants about ½” long? If you answered, yes, take action immediately. Call an exterminator to rid your spa of carpenter ants. Other critters might have nested over the winter. If you see signs of them, call our Service Center 206-431-2876 for the rodent ridding fact sheet before acting!
♥ CHECK YOUR FILTERS.
Clean filters per the directions in your Hot Spring Owners’ Manual using SeaKlear Spray Filter
Cleaner or SeaKlear Filter Soak. Spray spa filter, let soak and rinse off. Removes grease, oils and debris that collect on spa filters. Rejuvenates them to top filtering power. The WaterWand™ hand held filter cartridge cleaner is a big help when cleaning, too. Attach to hose; flick the switch. Saves water use by 50%.
If your spa is over 3 years old and you’ve never had new filters, order some today.
♥ADD FRESH WATER. REFILLING TIPS:
When refilling, allow hose to run a few minutes (low pressure is fine), onto lawn or flowerbeds, before putting it into your spa. Avoid nuisance service calls·always feed hose into your filter compartment when filling. This help prevents air locks that stop your tub from heating!
EverFresh® Water Care System Owners: Change your Silver Ion Cartridge every four months. NOW you’ll receive a new cartridge once a quarter when you sign up for automatic shipment, and save $2.00 on each cartridge! FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the continental U.S. You’ll always have clean water! Call Olympic Hot Tub’s Service Center today to get started with Silver Ion Home Delivery 206-431-2876 or Home Delivery from our estore.
ACE Water Care System Owners: Don’t forget to clean your salt cell every 90 days. A dirty salt cell will lead to poor water quality.
♥ADD START-UP WATER CARE PRODUCTS. Balance the water. Restart.
Note: Use only sanitizers approved by Watkins Manufacturing (makers of all brands we sell): Sodium Dichloride, granular bromine or our proprietary system: EverFresh®. Do not use tri-chlor (which is for swimming pools), any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any other than those recommended. Use of anything other than those recommended may void your spa warranty.
♥ NEED HELP OR A REFRESHER ON HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SPA?
Stop into any of our stores for a quick refresher on “how to” OR hire Olympic Hot Tub’s Valet Service for a one time drain, clean and water care lesson. Call our Valet Service 206-431-2876 to schedule.
Now relax in your clean, clean hot tub.
SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.
MORE….
Author: Don Riling
Don Riling is the President of Olympic Hot Tub and has been an active member of the hot tub industry for over 27 years. As the company’s owner since 2016, he has continued Olympic’s legacy of promoting health & wellness through water.
Remember to also clean your hot tub cover if you have one!
Thanks for the reminder, Karen.
We recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant for all hot tub covers.
303 is the leader in UV screening technology by acting like an “SPF 40” sunscreen for your hot tub cover.
Regular use provides 100% protection against UV damage that causes slow fade and vinyl breakdown.
It’s long lasting and biodegradable. It repels dust, soiling and staining.
The best thing is that treated surfaces stay clean longer. Regular use extends cover life.
TIP: For best results spend 10 minutes once a month cleaning and conditioning your cover.
Available at our estore: https://www.olympichottubestore.com/303aepr.html
Note: We do NOT recommend using Armor All on a hot tub cover–it will prematurely seal the vinyl and cause your cover to age more quickly!
Best wishes,
Alice
· Perform a complete hot tub inspection if you’ve just bought a new home with a hot tub or haven’t used yours in awhile.
Hi Panama:
Good point. It’s especially important to have an inspection done on an existing hot tub before you buy a new home with a hot tub. We offer that service-a complete tune-up or a valet service to show new owners how to operate and use their new tub. Check out all of our services for tub owners here: https://www.olympichottubestore.com/services.html.
Thanks for your comment.
Alice
It is important that you are using the right chemicals for your hot tub. Sadly the pool industry has many chemicals that use out dated technology and lack the necessary ingredients to properly clean a hot tub. When buying pool chemicals it is important to remember that not all pool chemicals are the same, simply put some work and others do not.
Biofilm is a serious problem in many hot tubs because there is stagnant warm water sitting in the plumbing lines which creates a perfect place for bacteria and other microorganisms to breed. After an extended amount of time this bacterial build up forms what is called biofilm.
Because of biofilms biological properties it is not effected by traditional cleaning products such as chlorine, bromine, uv, and ozone just to name a few. In order to actually clean a jetted tub you must use a cleaning product that is specifically designed for the removal of biofilm from the entire hot tub system.
Hi Avi:
Couldn’t agree with you more about biofilms & the need to get rid of them in hot tubs.
That’s why we use SilkBalance. When starting someone with an existing hot tub out on SilkBalance, we recommend a complete system flush using Clean Start
Thanks for writing,
Alice