Hot Tub & Spa Products Near You: We Have What You Need in Sykesville, Eldersburg, Westminster & More

How Often Should I Clean My Hot Tub or Spa?

If you don’t clean your hot tub or spa regularly, bacteria, algae, and mold can quickly build up in the water and plumbing, leading to foul odors, cloudy water, skin irritation, and more. Dirty water can also damage your spa and hot tub equipment, clog filters, and shorten its lifespan.

You should be testing and balancing water on a weekly basis. At this time, you’ll also want to wipe down surfaces, clean the waterline to prevent the buildup of scum or residue, and rinse out your filter. A quick hose rinse helps remove debris and keep water circulating properly. 

And on a monthly basis? Deep clean the filter and check the jets for mold or debris buildup.

Then, every 4 or 6 months, depending on use, drain and refill the water and clean the shell. If your hot tub sees heavy use, you may want to bump up the cleaning schedule – especially for filter rinsing and water testing.

What’s the Best Way To Clean a Hot Tub Filter?

Hot tub or spa filter cleaning is a must when it comes to keeping things in good condition and working well. The filter has a tough job, working hard for hours at a time to clear out all the stuff that can damage your equipment or make the water unsafe. Cleaning your hot tub filter properly and regularly helps keep your water as clean as possible, extends the life of your equipment, and improves efficiency. 

How do you clean a hot tub filter?

• Rinse it weekly. Turn off power to the hot tub, remove the filter from the housing, rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose, then let it air dry completely before reinstalling it.
• Deep clean it monthly. Rinse the filter first to remove loose debris, then soak the filter in an appropriate spa filter cleaner overnight (8 – 12 hours). Once done, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water, then let it dry completely.

Sounds simple enough, right? It is – and it’s an important step for keeping your system working well. Just don’t use household cleaners, like bleach or dish soap, as these can leave residue and foam up your water. In addition, don’t use a pressure washer, as it can damage the filter media.

And remember that, even with regular cleaning, you should be replacing your hot tub filter every 12 – 24 months, depending on usage and water quality. Best practice is to buy a second filter and alternate filters when removing one for cleaning.

How Often Should I Drain My Hot Tub? How Do I Drain & Refill My Hot Tub Safely?

You should drain and refill your hot tub every 3 to 4 months – or more if it’s been used more often than normal. And if you notice cloudy water, strong odors, or are having difficulty maintaining chemical balances, it’s a good idea to do it sooner.

Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations on draining your spa. Here are some basic steps for this process.

• Turn off the power. Shut off the hot tub at the breaker to avoid any pump or heater damage while it’s empty.
• Attach a hose to the drain valve. Locate the drain spout (usually at the base of the tub), then attach a garden hose and direct it to an appropriate drainage area (away from your home’s foundation, and not into storm drains).
• Open the valve and let gravity do the work. This usually takes around 1 – 3 hours, but can take longer, depending on the size of your tub and the diameter of the hose.
• Clean the shell. Once empty, wipe down the shell with a hot tub-safe cleaner such as BioGuard’s Off the Wall. Avoid using harsh chemicals, like bleach or household cleaners, that can damage the shell or leave residue.
• Rinse the shell and drain any residue. Rinse any cleaner residue with water and remove remaining water with a wet/dry vacuum or towels.
• Refill the hot tub. Place the hose into the filter compartment (this helps reduce airlocks in the plumbing), then fill to the recommended water level (usually about halfway up the skimmer or marked inside the tub).
• Turn the power back on and test the water. Once full, turn the power back on and run the jets to purge air. Test the water and balance pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels before use.

Can I Use My Hot Tub in the Winter? How Should I Prepare It?

Yes! In fact, here in the Sykesville, Eldersburg, and Westminster area where temps drop low in the winter, a nice soak in the hot tub can be the perfect way to warm up. But to make sure your hot tub runs efficiently and safely during colder months, you’ll want to take a few key steps to prepare it.

You’ll, of course, want to follow all of your regular maintenance tasks – like weekly water testing, monthly deep cleans, and quarterly water draining and cleaning. That said, as winter approaches, a few extra steps will be needed.

Be sure to regularly check your temperature settings (aim for 100 – 104°F), and inspect your cover regularly for damage or heat loss. A thick, insulated cover (or cover cap) makes a big difference in heat retention. We also recommend clearing snow and ice from around the tub to maintain safe walkways.

One more step (this one is easy) is to use your hot tub regularly to avoid freezing and ensure the water stays circulating. If life gets busy, and you realize you won’t be using it during this time, properly winterize your spa to avoid freeze damage.

How Do I Winterize My Hot Tub?

Shutting down your hot tub or spa for the winter months? Then properly winterizing is vital for avoiding cracked pipes, damaged equipment…and a serious headache come spring. Always follow your spa manufacturer’s winterizing instructions. Here are a few key steps to consider:

• Turn Off the Power & Drain: Shut off the breaker to cut all electrical power to the tub, and if it’s a plug-and-play model, unplug it. Then, properly drain the water.
• Blow Out the Jets & Lines: This is a critical step to prevent freezing. Use a wet/dry vac in blower mode to force air through each of the jets, suction ports, and plumbing lines. It is important to use pool winterizing antifreeze in the spa piping to make sure pipes do not freeze, especially if the spa is outside.
• Remove Remaining Water: Vacuum up any water left in the bottom of the tub. Use towels to wipe out corners and dry the shell completely.
• Clean & Protect the Shell: Wipe down the shell with a spa-safe cleaner. For extra protection, take the optional step of adding a layer of protective wax to guard the surface from winter grime or UV exposure if uncovered.
• Loosen or Disconnect Fittings: Loosen unions on pumps and heaters to let out any trapped water. Remove drain plugs on the pump, if applicable.
• Cover It Up Tight: Secure a tight-fitting spa or hot tub cover to keep out snow, debris, and animals. Consider using a weatherproof cover cap or tarp over the main cover for extra protection.