How to Clean Your Hot Tub

Owning a hot tub is one of life’s simple luxuries. It offers relaxation, relief for sore muscles, and a peaceful escape from the stress of daily life. However, maintaining a clean hot tub is essential if you want to keep that experience enjoyable, safe, and cost-effective in the long term. A well-maintained hot tub not only lasts longer but also performs more efficiently and provides a safer environment for you and your guests.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to clean your hot tub—step by step. We’ll walk through choosing the right hot tub cleaner, using a hot tub line cleaner to maintain your plumbing system, and how to set up a consistent maintenance routine that will keep your water crystal clear and your equipment running smoothly.

Why Cleaning Your Hot Tub Matters

Cleaning your hot tub isn’t just about appearances. Behind the soothing bubbles lies a warm and moist environment that’s highly conducive to bacterial growth. Over time, without regular cleaning, you may find yourself soaking in water filled with microorganisms like biofilm, mold, or even algae. This can lead to skin irritation, eye discomfort, unpleasant odors, or worse—potential health issues.

Moreover, the mechanical parts of your hot tub, such as filters, jets, and plumbing lines, are prone to clogging if not properly maintained. This leads to reduced performance, higher energy bills, and ultimately expensive repairs. By keeping your hot tub clean and using the correct products, like a professional-grade hot tub cleaner, you’ll ensure the safety of the water, reduce the strain on your system, and extend the life of your investment.

How Often Should You Clean Your Hot Tub?

The cleaning frequency depends on how often your hot tub is used and how many people use it. However, a good rule of thumb is to carry out a full clean—including draining the water and scrubbing the interior—every three to four months. Light cleaning tasks, like wiping the waterline or rinsing filters, should be done weekly. Testing and balancing your water chemistry should happen at least twice a week.

If your hot tub sees heavy use, especially by multiple users or after events, you may need to clean it more frequently. Likewise, if your hot tub water starts to look cloudy or smells unusual, it’s time for a deeper clean, regardless of the schedule.

What Products Do You Need?

Before starting the cleaning process, it’s important to have the right tools on hand. A non-abrasive hot tub cleaner specifically formulated for spa surfaces is crucial. These cleaners are designed to lift oils, residue, and grime without damaging the shell or altering your water chemistry.

For the internal plumbing, which is often overlooked, a hot tub line cleaner is essential. These solutions work by breaking down biofilm and organic waste that accumulate inside the pipes and jets—areas you can’t reach manually. You’ll also need a hose for rinsing, a bucket or wet/dry vacuum for draining, soft cleaning cloths, and a pH testing kit to rebalance the water afterward.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Hot Tub Properly

1. Turn Off the Power

Before you begin any cleaning, turn off the power to the hot tub at the breaker box. This protects the equipment and ensures your safety during the process. It’s a step you should never skip.

2. Drain the Water

Use the built-in drain valve or a submersible pump to remove all the water from your hot tub. If you’re planning to flush the internal plumbing with a hot tub line cleaner, now is the time. Add the line cleaner according to the product instructions, run the jets for the recommended time (usually 15–30 minutes), and then drain completely. This flushes out any grime and biofilm inside the pipes.

3. Clean the Interior Surfaces

Once the water is drained, spray your chosen hot tub cleaner across the interior surfaces of the shell. Focus especially on the waterline, which often collects oily residues from body lotions, sunscreen, and natural skin oils.

Use a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub the surfaces gently but thoroughly. Avoid using harsh household cleaners or anything containing bleach or ammonia, as these can damage your hot tub’s shell and throw off the water balance when you refill it.

After scrubbing, rinse the interior thoroughly with clean water to remove any leftover cleaner residue.

4. Clean the Filters

Filters are one of the most important components of your hot tub’s sanitation system. They trap hair, oils, and other debris and should be cleaned at least once a month.

To clean them, remove the filters and rinse them under a high-pressure hose. Then, soak them in a dedicated filter cleaner solution or a mixture of white vinegar and warm water for a few hours. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and let them air dry completely before placing them back into the hot tub.

If your filters are over a year old, consider replacing them entirely to ensure peak performance.

5. Refill the Hot Tub and Balance the Water

Once everything is clean and dry, refill the hot tub with fresh water using a garden hose. It’s a good idea to run the hose through a pre-filter to remove metals or other impurities before they enter the system.

After refilling, test the water using a reliable testing kit. You’ll need to check and adjust the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels to ensure the water is balanced and safe for soaking. Maintaining proper water chemistry not only keeps the water clean but also protects your equipment from corrosion or scaling.

Long-Term Maintenance Advice

Preventative care is the best strategy when it comes to hot tubs. Keeping a logbook of your maintenance activities—including filter changes, water refills, and cleaning cycles—can help you track what’s working and what’s not. This makes it easier to troubleshoot problems when they arise.

It’s also worth investing in a quality hot tub cover. A well-fitted cover helps keep out debris, maintain water temperature, and reduce chemical evaporation—all of which cut down on your cleaning workload.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I clean my hot tub with a hot tub line cleaner?

A hot tub line cleaner should be used every time you perform a full drain and refill, typically every 3–4 months. This prevents hidden bacterial buildup in the plumbing system.

Can I use dish soap or household cleaners to clean my hot tub?

No, avoid using standard household cleaners as they can foam excessively or leave behind residues that interfere with water chemistry. Always use a dedicated hot tub cleaner.

What causes cloudy water even after cleaning?

Cloudy water is usually a sign of imbalanced chemistry or dirty filters. Check pH, sanitizer levels, and clean the filters before refilling the tub.

Is it okay to clean filters in the dishwasher?

No. Dishwasher detergents and heat can damage the filter materials. Always use spa-approved cleaning methods.

How can I tell if my hot tub water needs changing?

Besides the cleaning schedule, change the water if it smells bad, appears cloudy even after treatment, or if balancing chemicals no longer have the desired effect.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning your hot tub is an essential part of responsible ownership. With the right hot tub cleaner, a thorough cleaning routine, and occasional use of a hot tub line cleaner, your spa will stay in excellent condition for years to come. Clean water isn’t just more enjoyable—it’s safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

A hot tub is an investment in relaxation. Take the time to care for it properly, and it will continue to provide you with countless hours of soothing enjoyment.

Watch how one of our customers is using the Sylvan Hills Hot Tub Line Cleaner here.