When you take off the hot tub cover and slip into the warm water, you expect to relax and unwind after a busy day. But if the water’s dirty, you won’t even want to get in. Dirty hot tub water looks gross, and it can contain bacteria and germs. For safety and maximum enjoyment of your hot tub, we Pros recommend you change your hot water regularly. The hot tub covers will keep out the air borne dirt, grit and bugs, but contaminants are still brought into the water by the users.
Consider how many people use the hot tub.
The average hot tub user should replace the water every two to three months, but your replacement schedule depends on how often you use your spa. Consider using this formula.
- Divide the total gallons of water your spa hold by 3. (If your hot tub holds 600 gallons, divide 600 by 3. You’ll get 200.)
- Divide that number by the average number of users each day. (Sticking with the example, if an average of two people use the hot tub every day, divide 200 by 2.)
- The answer you get tells you how often to change the water. In this case, you’ll change your hot tub water every 100 days.
Consider the stuff in the water.
While the above formula is useful, keep an eye on your spa’s water. When you see algae, stains or cloudiness, the water probably has too many Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, in it. They’re food particles, dirt and minerals like salt from your sweat that build up in your spa. Even the sanitizing chemicals you pour into the spa accumulate in the water over time. It can help greatly if everyone showers every time before getting into the hot tub.
Instead of waiting until the TDS level is high, use test strips to check the levels regularly. Ideally, the level should be under 1500 PPM, or parts per million. Sometimes, draining 12 inches of water out of the spa every week or two reduces TDS levels, but a complete water change is the best way to ensure your hot tub remains clean and healthy.
When was the last time you changed your hot tub’s water? When you do it regularly, you can confidently enjoy relaxing in clean water that’s also healthy.
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott
