Hot Tub Buying Guide

How to eliminate bacteria

Your hot tub is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Withouth proper maintenance and cleaning, the water in your hot tub can be a dangerous place. A well maintained hot tub is fairly easy to keep clean, but a neglected hot tub can become a challenge. It is important to stay on top of your regular maintenance, keeping those chemicals level, cleaning the filter and changing out your water as needed. Follow your manufacturer's instructions and the guidelines for your hot tub. Remember that each hot tub's needs will vary depending on usage, source water, number of bathers and other factors.

Some signs of a bacteria problem can be cloudy water, water that has an odor, a slime that builds up, or a rash may appear on a soaker's body a few days after soaking. Sometimes the bacteria problem can occur in a well-maintained spa when something sends the water's chemical balance out of whack. Don't be too hard on yourself, just get to the source, clean it up and get back to keeping the tub's chemicals in check with regular maintenance.

If you have a bacteria problem you will want to clean your tub very well. First, remove and clean your filter. You may need to replace it depending on how long you have been using that filter. Most of the time a good cleaning will do the trick. Also, be sure to clean the underside of yout hot tub cover. Wipe it down with a clean cloth and a gentle, but effective cleanser. Check your hot tub ? make sure it is in good condition. If your cover is waterlogged it may be time to replace it as a waterlogged cover will just add to bacteria problems and will not be effective in retaining heat.

Next you will want to super-clean the tub. Dissolve some dichlor chlorine in a bucket following the instructions on the chlorine. This will shock the tub as you pour the solution into the water. Fill the hot tub an extra inch or so and then run the hot tub with all the jets and blowers on for about thirty minutes. Keep the tub covered at this time. If you have an electric blower, turn it on for one minute of every five minutes for this half hour. Be careful not to inhale the air near the tub at this time - it can be pretty strong. This shock treatment should eliminate bacteria in the tub and jets. You may also want to flush the plumbing by adding a flush product available at your local spa dealer or local home improvement store. Following the directions on the product, add that to your tub and continue to run the tub for another 30 minutes.

Now drain your tub, wipe it down to remove any film that may still remain. Refill with fresh water, install your newly cleaned filter and add your chemicals. After waiting the recommended time, test your levels with a test strip and adjust your chemicals accordingly.

Sanitizer is what kills the bacteria. Always make sure your sanitizer levels are in a healthy range. Test the water before and after use. This will help you know how much sanitizer your soak uses up. It may be helpful to have hot tub guests shower off before getting in the tub. This will rinse off oils, lotions and other contaminants that contribute to bacteria problems.

It is important to keep your water healthy and safe. Bacteria wants to grow in warm water - use your santizer to keep it away!