How to Care for Your Hot Tub When Not in Use
Maintenance is an essential part of owning and enjoying your hot tub. Properly caring for your spa with hot tub chemicals will not only help to ensure the bather’s safety and optimise their experience, but it will also save you unnecessary costs and repairs later down the line.
Sadly, it’s not always possible to enjoy your spa. When your hot tub is not in use, you must be sure to keep on top of its maintenance routine. This way, when it’s time to jump back in, your tub will be ready to go, and you won’t be faced with any surprises.
Here, we explore what you need to consider and how to maintain your hot tub when it is out of use.
How Do I Keep My Hot Tub Clean When Not in Use?
There are a few things you need to do if you’re heading off for a holiday or are simply away from your spa for a duration of time. In this article, we will discuss what you need to do to help maintain a clean and healthy spa, such as:
- Turning off your hot tub
- Maintaining water quality
- Adjusting the hot tub’s temperature
- Retaining the spa’s water level
Should I Keep my Hot Tub Off When Not in Use?
One of the most popular questions spa owners ask is whether they should switch off their hot tub during periods of inactivity. It’s a logical question considering our natural go-to is to turn off all electricals when setting sail for a few days.
We recommend that you don’t switch your tub off completely; it is more cost and time effective to bring the temperature back up from a small drop than reheating a whole new batch of cold water.
If you aren’t around during the winter or won’t be using your tub, it may be better to close it down completely. Winterising your tub could be another option; however, some find it more cost-effective to close the tub and reopen it later than hiring professional help.
Maintaining Water Treatments and Chemicals
Adhering to your hot tub’s cleaning schedule will help maintain its cleanliness, but this isn’t always possible if you’re away or unable to use the tub for some time.
A basic sanitation routine will ensure your hot tub keeps ticking over when not in use; this should include:
- Testing the water to check that the water chemistry is balanced, such as the pH levels. If the chemicals aren’t balanced, they will need to be adjusted accordingly.
- Cleaning or replacing filter cartridges before periods of disuse. If an unchecked dirty filter is left to circulate water, you will most likely return to a tub of dirty water.
- Sanitising the water with your usual water treatment system. It may also be worth using a shock treatment if no one will be using the tub for some time.
Even when the hot tub is not in use, it is vital to maintain a water treatment schedule. If the water is left unsanitized, you may return to a spa filled with dirty water. To avoid draining and refilling your tub, keep on top of your usual sanitizing chemicals.
To continue your maintenance schedule while you’re away, you can invest in a floating dispenser. This way, you can rest assured that sanitizer is being fed into the water.
Hot Tub Covers
Whether you own a hot tub or a swimming pool, covers are always an essential piece of kit that you should consider. Whenever bathers aren’t using your tub, you should cover the spa. Covers protect the spa’s water from contamination, serve crucial functions that reduce excess energy costs and protect the spa’s system.
When using a hot tub cover, it’s essential to ensure that your cover is secured, protecting any openings where things could get in or out.
Most hot tubs will come with a cover when purchased. If the quality of your cover doesn’t inspire you with confidence, it may be worth investing in a higher-quality cover.