How To Clean Your Hot Tub

Looking after and cleaning your hot tub is easy and requires only a few minutes. It is paramount to remember that when cleaning your hot tub you should only use those products that are especially formulated for use in hot tubs. Most regular household cleaning products have abrasives that will scratch the surface of the acrylic shell and make it look dull and worn. Regular household cleaning products also have chemicals in them that can adversely affect the water chemistry in the spa.

Using cleaning products that are formulated for hot tubs will add years to your hot tub and keeps it looking smooth and shiny for a long time to come. Typically, you get distinctly different products for cleaning the hot tub shell, plumbing lines, vinyl covers and the cabinet.

Cleaning The Hot Tub Shell

Cleaning the shell surface every time you drain your spa or at least every three to four months helps prevent the build up of scale lines, mineral deposits and scum lines on the surface of your hot tub shell.

Products such as Acrylic Brightener from Thermo Spas help remove those unsightly scum lines that form on the shell surface after the tub is drained out. Its special formulation also removes all mildew odors and mold without bleaching the surface. What’s more, because it is a natural enzyme it will not affect the chemistry of the water and can also be used to clean the shell surface above the water line even when the spa is filled.

Follow this with an application of Thermo Gloss, an innovative polish that is made up of unique reactive silicones that bond chemically to spa surfaces and provides a protective coating that is hard, durable and glossy. Easy to apply without smearing or streaking, it seals the shell’s surface and hides minor scratches giving the shell a brand new look.

Mitts For Cleaning The Hot Tub Shell

Using specially designed mitts helps you remove scum lines easily and safely without scratching the surface of the shell. Mitts for cleaning hot tubs typically consist of a large-sized abrasive pad that is permanently bonded to a latex mitten. These mitts can be used with specially formulated cleaners or just by themselves for removing mold, algae and mildew from fiberglass, vinyl, tile and acrylic hot tub shells.

Cleaning Plumbing Lines

Whereas this was a major chore earlier, specially formulated products are now available that automatically clean all of the fittings inside the spa including the jets and plumbing lines. Simple and easy to use, these products make easy work of what used to be a long drawn out tedious affair. All you need to do is add it your water prior to draining the tub and run the jets so that the cleaner gets well circulated, then just drain the spa as you would do normally.

Flushing out and cleaning the fittings and plumbing lines and fittings every time the spa is drained and before the spa is refilled will help extend the life of your hot tub. If you notice the appearance of a film around the hot tub fittings, then you should clean it even earlier.

Take a look at this report on "Natural Cleaning Methods for Hot Tubs" if you are looking for a more "green" cleaning method.