Owning a hot tub is all about creating your own little oasis of relaxation, but keeping it that way takes a bit of regular care. Clean, balanced water isn’t just about comfort—it’s essential to ensure every soak is safe and enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the must-know tips for how to clean a hot tub so you can keep your hot tub in top shape— from daily water care to filter cleaning and cover maintenance. With the right routine, you’ll protect your investment, prevent costly repairs, and always have your hot tub ready for a perfect, stress-free soak.

Why Regular Hot Tub Maintenance Is Essential

1. Preventing Waterborne Illnesses: If you don’t keep up with regular cleaning and water balancing, your hot tub can quickly turn into a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and algae. These contaminants thrive in unmaintained water and can lead to skin irritations, respiratory issues, and other health problems. Bacteria like Legionella can even cause more serious infections if the water isn’t properly sanitized. Regular maintenance ensures that your water stays fresh, clear, and safe, so you can enjoy your hot tub worry-free, knowing that you’ve created a healthy environment for both you and your guests.
2. Protecting Hot Tub Components from Deterioration: Poor water balance can wreak havoc on your hot tub’s internal components. Water that’s too acidic (low pH) can corrode metal parts like the heater, jets, and pump seals, leading to leaks or equipment failure. On the other hand, water with high calcium hardness can cause scale buildup inside the pipes and on heating elements, reducing efficiency and potentially causing overheating. Keeping the water chemistry balanced protects your hot tub from these costly damages and extends the life of your equipment.
3. Energy Efficiency: A clean hot tub doesn’t just feel better—it also runs more efficiently. Dirty filters and clogged jets force your pump to work harder, using more energy to keep water circulating. This not only increases your energy bills but also puts unnecessary strain on the system. Regular maintenance ensures that everything is running smoothly, which can help lower your energy costs and extend the life of your pump and heater.
4. Discovering Problems Early: Regular maintenance gives you the chance to spot small issues before they become major headaches. A slight imbalance in your water chemistry might not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can lead to serious problems like corrosion, scale buildup, or malfunctioning components. Catching these issues early means you can address them before they turn into expensive repairs, saving you time, money, and frustration down the road.

At the end of the day, regular hot tub maintenance ensures that your tub is always ready for you to enjoy. There’s nothing worse than wanting to unwind in your hot tub only to discover murky water, weak jets, or an equipment failure. By keeping up with routine care, you can avoid these disruptions and ensure your hot tub is always a relaxing retreat whenever you need it.

How to Clean a Hot Tub: Essential Cleaning Steps

To keep your hot tub in top condition, there are a few key steps you need to follow. Regular water care is crucial—not only for keeping the water clean and clear but also for protecting your hot tub and making sure it’s always ready for a relaxing soak. By staying on top of testing, sanitizing, and cleaning, you’ll prevent common issues like cloudy water, odors, and bacteria buildup. Here’s our essential guide to maintaining crystal-clear water and a healthy hot tub environment:

1. Test the Water Frequently: At least once a week, use test strips to check the levels of sanitizer, pH, and alkalinity in your hot tub water. Balanced water is essential to prevent bacterial growth, protect your skin, and extend the life of your hot tub’s components. We find that it’s best to maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.8, and alkalinity between 80-120 ppm.
2. Sanitize Regularly: Sanitizing your hot tub water is key to keeping it safe and bacteria-free. The best approach is to test your water regularly to know when it’s time to add more sanitizer. After each use is ideal, especially if the hot tub gets frequent use. Pay close attention to your free chlorine levels (the active bacteria fighter) and total chlorine (which includes chlorine that’s already been used up) to ensure your water stays clean and balanced.
3. Shock the Water: We love using Leisure Time’s non-chlorine shock product called Renew. It helps break down oils, lotions, and other contaminants that chlorine might miss. Shocking works hand-in-hand with chlorine because while chlorine kills bacteria, the shock helps oxidize and remove organic buildup, keeping the water crystal clear and preventing unwanted odors. Just remember to shock your water weekly or after heavy use to keep everything fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced.
4. Use Enzymes: To stay ahead of scum and organic buildup, incorporate enzyme treatments into your regular hot tub care. After balancing your water, simply pour the recommended dose of enzyme solution into the tub. It’s a quick step, but it makes a big difference, especially if you’re using the hot tub frequently. Adding enzymes weekly helps keep oils and lotions from accumulating, making your water easier to maintain and saving you time on deep cleaning later.

How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter: Regular Maintenance for Efficiency

Your hot tub filter is the unsung hero, working tirelessly to trap debris, oils, and other gunk that would otherwise mess up your water. But like any hardworking part, it needs regular cleaning to keep things running smoothly. If left uncleaned, your filter can get clogged, making your pump work overtime and reducing water flow. A clean filter doesn’t just mean clear water—it also helps your whole system last longer.

Here’s how to keep your filter in top shape:

1. Rinse with a Garden Hose: Every week, pull out your filter and give it a good rinse with a garden hose. This helps remove dirt, leaves, and other surface debris. Pro tip: Be sure to spray between the pleats to get all that hidden grime out.
2. Deep Clean Monthly: Once a month, soak your filter in a filter cleaner solution for a few hours. This breaks down oils and stubborn contaminants that rinsing can’t reach. After soaking, rinse it again thoroughly to wash away any remaining residue. We recommend always doing this when you perform a water change to keep your hot tub running smoothly.
3. Replace When Needed: Even with regular cleaning, filters wear out. If you notice your filter is looking discolored, the pleats are torn, or you’re having issues like cloudy water, it’s probably time for a new one. Most filters need to be replaced every 6-12 months, but if you’re a frequent hot tub user, you might need to change it sooner.

At Aqua Clear, we highly recommend Unicel brand filters for their durability and excellent filtration. You can find Unicel filters at our store in downtown Sisters, ensuring you have the best quality replacement filters to keep your hot tub performing at its best.

How to Clean a Hot Tub Cover: Protecting Your Investment

Your hot tub cover does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your water clean and your energy bills down, and it needs some love, too! Regular cleaning not only helps prevent mildew and grime but also protects it from UV damage and extends its lifespan. A little care goes a long way in making sure your cover stays in great shape, so let’s walk through the steps to keep it looking and performing its best.

Here’s how to properly care for your hot tub cover:

1. Rinse and Scrub: Rinse the outside of the cover with water to remove loose dirt and debris. Then, use a soft brush and a mild detergent or a dedicated hot tub cover cleaner to scrub the surface gently. Pay special attention to the seams and folds where dirt and mildew can accumulate.
2. Address Mildew and Stains: The inside of the cover may have mildew or stubborn stains, use a mixture of water and bleach or a commercial mildew remover to remove these. Apply it to the affected areas and scrub gently. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the vinyl or void the warranty.
3. Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, rinse the cover thoroughly to ensure all cleaning agents are removed. Any leftover residue can attract dirt or affect the water chemistry when the cover is in place.
4. Condition the Vinyl: Once the cover is clean and dry, apply a UV protectant specifically designed for hot tub covers. Here at Aqua Clear, we prefer to use 303 UV protectant. This will help prevent the vinyl from cracking and fading, preserving the cover’s appearance and functionality. Although, this step isn’t necessary if you’re using a cover that isn’t made of vinyl, such as a Weathertech cover.

Regular maintenance of your hot tub cover not only keeps it looking great but also ensures that it continues to protect your hot tub from the elements and retains heat effectively.

Best Hot Tub Cleaners: Choosing the Right Products

When it comes to choosing the right cleaners for your hot tub, it’s essential to use products that are both effective and safe for your water system. One of the best options we recommend is AquaFinesse, a premium line of hot tub water care products designed to keep your water balanced and clean with minimal effort. AquaFinesse products are known for reducing the need for harsh chemicals by breaking down biofilm and other contaminants, ensuring your water remains crystal clear. They’re also gentle on your hot tub’s components, helping to extend the life of your investment.

For those seeking eco-friendly and efficient hot tub maintenance solutions, AquaFinesse offers a fantastic balance between performance and environmental considerations. You can find AquaFinesse products on our hot tub chemicals page, along with other top-rated cleaning supplies. Whether you’re doing regular maintenance or a deep clean, using high-quality products like these ensures your hot tub stays in perfect condition without the hassle.

DIY vs Professional Hot Tub Cleaning 

Taking care of your hot tub yourself can be really satisfying, especially if you love hands-on projects and have the time to stay on top of regular upkeep. DIY maintenance helps you get familiar with your tub’s needs and can save you money on basic tasks like cleaning and water balancing. However, it does come with its own set of challenges. Achieving that perfect water balance, thoroughly cleaning every nook and cranny, and keeping up with repairs can get tricky and time-consuming—especially as your hot tub gets older.

That’s where professional hot tub maintenance services, like the ones we offer at Aqua Clear, come in. Professionals bring a level of convenience, thoroughness, and expertise that can make a huge difference. We use specialized tools and advanced cleaning products that aren’t always available to the average DIYer, ensuring that every inch of your hot tub is not only spotless but also running at peak performance. Whether it’s a deep seasonal clean, balancing tricky water chemistry, or fixing mechanical issues, our team has the experience to handle it all efficiently and effectively.

Choosing professional hot tub maintenance isn’t just about saving time—it’s about peace of mind. With Aqua Clear Hot Tubs, you can relax knowing your tub is in expert hands and maintained to the highest standards. So, instead of stressing about upkeep, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying your hot tub to the fullest.

Hot Tub Cleaning Service: When to Call the Experts

While many hot tub owners can handle regular maintenance on their own, there are certain times when bringing in the professionals isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Here are a few situations where a professional hot tub cleaning service can really make a difference:

1. Deep Cleaning: Even if you’re diligent about your hot tub care, there are some areas that are tough to reach, like the intricate plumbing systems, hidden crevices, and spaces under the shell. A professional deep clean from our technicians goes beyond surface-level care. With specialized tools and products, we can thoroughly clean the jets, plumbing, and other components, removing biofilm, scale, and debris you may not even realize are there. This keeps your hot tub operating efficiently and in pristine condition.
2. Seasonal Maintenance: Prepping your hot tub for seasonal changes is important, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather. For example, during winterization, we’ll safely drain the water, and clean the system to prevent freezing damage. In the spring, we’ll help restart your hot tub, making sure all components are running smoothly after being dormant. Seasonal maintenance not only protects your tub from damage but also helps extend its lifespan.
3. Addressing Specific Issues: If you hear unusual noises, notice reduced water flow, persistent cloudiness, or struggle with water chemistry, it’s a good idea to call in the pros. These signs often point to underlying problems like clogged plumbing, malfunctioning components, or imbalanced water chemistry. We can quickly diagnose and fix the issues before they become bigger, more expensive repairs.
4. Water Quality Concerns: If keeping your water crystal-clear feels like a constant battle, professional services can help. We can test your water, recommend the right products, and even install advanced systems like ozonators or mineral purifiers to simplify maintenance and improve water quality.
5. Time-Saving Convenience: Let’s face it—life gets busy. Sometimes, there just isn’t enough time to give your hot tub the care it needs. That’s where professionals come in. We’ll take the maintenance burden off your plate, ensuring your hot tub is always ready for use without you having to spend hours on upkeep.

Never Stress About How to Clean a Hot Tub Again! 

If you’re in central Oregon, let Aqua Clear Hot Tubs take the hassle out of hot tub maintenance. Whether you need regular maintenance, a deep clean, or help with specific issues, our expert team is here to help. 

Click here to schedule your service and experience the benefits of professional hot tub care. Your next soak awaits!