As the cooler days are setting in, the BBQ’s are getting stored away and winter coats are being taken out of storage, with many people preparing their gardens, and themselves, for the change in weather.
A lot of people fail to know that there are numerous steps to ensure your hot tub stays in mint condition over the colder months. In fact this year, there has been a 22% increase in the number of people searching for ‘hot tub maintenance’.
Luckily, the experts at Platinum Spas have provided their own insights on how to keep your hot tub in the best condition. Including water maintenance, cleaning tips, and how tennis balls and nylon socks could be the key to achieving optimum tub care.
Decide if you want to keep your hot tub running during the winter!
While this may seem like a simple question, the decision to keep your hot tub running in the winter is entirely down to you. While using a hot tub improves circulation and enhances sleep during winter, many people are put off by the idea of venturing outside in just a towel during the cold months.
If you are one of these people, the hot tub experts at Platinum Spa recommend the following;
“Firstly, drain the tub and then use a wet/dry vacuum on the jets to remove any water that remains, failure to do this can lead to the development of mould. Secondly, loosen the unions on your pumps and drain them, then clean your hot tub thoroughly. Finally, make sure to cover the tub, this will avoid any debris gathering at the bottom.”
Change your hot tubs water before temperatures drop
If you decide to continue running your tub throughout winter. It’s worth emptying your tub and refilling with fresh water. There is no scientific or safety reason for this, its purely because changing your tubs water can be a difficult task when its cold outside. By changing your tubs water before winter, you can ensure that it is operating at its maximum potential without any switching issues.
Invest in some tennis balls!
In the winter months, people typically sweat more in their tubs due to the quick change in temperature after getting in their tubs. However, tennis balls are an industry secret on keeping your tub clean. The fuzz on the ball works wonders by trapping oils, lotions, soap and other residue from your body that can cause build up in the filter.
You can add the balls to the skimmer of the tub, or just add them into the water once you are done using. Regularly changing and cleaning the balls will also help to keep your water balanced and reduce the amount of chemicals needed for cleaning.
Use nylon stockings during hot tub refills
Before you drain and refilling the tub, consider using an old pair of nylon stockings to help catch loose debris. To do this, cover the lower return inlets with the nylon to catch the re-circulating debris and prevent it from getting back into the filter system. Once finished make sure to remove and clean the nylons.
Know how to scrub the tub
Many people think that all is needed to clean a tub is a damp cloth and some elbow grease, however, this fails to kill germs, which could lead to infections after usage. For the most effective clean invest in a hot tub cleaner, that can cut through grime, while protecting the shell of your tub from damage that can often be caused by abrasive particles in other cleaners.
After cleaning the inner shell of the hot tub, thoroughly rinse it out and wipe it down with a towel. Cleaner residue can affect the chemical balance of your tub.
