How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter Properly
Rinse and repeat
Buying a hot tub can be an exciting prospect. There’s lots of relaxation and quality time with family and friends to look forward to. But there is also a lot of maintenance to keep up with as well. While it’s tempting to be lax on hot tub maintenance in favor of a relaxing soak, keeping up with the tasks required to keep your hot tub clean and learning how to clean hot tub filters can keep the water sparkling clean and ready at a moment’s notice.
Why Do I Have to Clean My Hot Tub Filters?
Hot tub filters and the proper chemical balance help keep hot tub water clean and ready for a relaxing soak. They help to clear the water of contaminants that are naturally present in the water you fill the hot tub with, as well as any debris. When people enter the hot tub, any lotions, sunscreen, dirt, oils, makeup, and anything else on their body can enter the water. Filters help to pull all of these contaminants out of the water.
Dirty filters can affect the pump’s ability to function, making it more challenging to keep the water circulating. This will also make it hard for the pump to clean the water. Dirty filters can also compromise the heater and result in low water temperature, so cleaning them regularly is imperative for proper hot tub function. Also, if filters aren’t able to do their job of removing contaminants from the water, you may be vulnerable to hot tub health risks related to bacteria that can be present in dirty water.
When Should I Clean My Hot Tub’s Water Filters?
When cleaning your hot tub filters, the best defense is a good offense. If you wait until the filters are so dirty that you notice discolored or cloudy water, decreased pump performance, low water temperature, or weak water flow, it will take longer to clean the filters, and you may need to drain the hot tub and refill it sooner than usual. If things get really bad, debris, dirt, and grime may clog the pipes and jets, which could require hot tub repairs.
Cleaning hot tub filters weekly will help keep them clear of debris and filtering water properly. Weekly cleaning can just be a quick rinse, and then you can perform a monthly deep clean.
How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter
Following these steps will allow you to clean your hot tub filter quickly and efficiently, keep it free of dirt and debris, and keep your hot tub running great. It can also prolong the life of the hot tub’s pump and heater, reducing hot tub maintenance costs over the life of the hot tub.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Gather any supplies you'll need before you shut down the hot tub and remove the filters. This includes:
A garden hose with a spray nozzle
A 5-gallon bucket for a monthly soak
Extra filters if you want to run the hot tub while you’re cleaning the filters
Hot tub filter cleaner
2. Turn Off the Power
Before removing the filters, the first step is to turn off the hot tub. This will prevent the hot tub from running without a filter, which could result in a damaged pump or debris getting pulled into the filter fitting. Do this by flipping the breaker switch that controls the hot tub. Shutting off power at the breaker will prevent you from accidentally turning the hot tub back on during maintenance. Check your hot tub owner’s manual for any other instructions for shutting off the power to the hot tub.
3. Remove the Filters and Inspect
After the power is shut off, you can remove the filters. If you’re unsure of where the filters are, you can check your hot tub manual or look on the manufacturer’s website. Once you remove the filters, inspect them visually to ensure they’re not damaged. If the pleats are torn or there are cracks in the plastic, discard the filter and install a new one. Typically, filters can last for up to a year with proper maintenance.
4. Remove Any Large Debris
Before you rinse the hot tub filters, inspect the outside of the filter and the core to see how much dirt and debris is on it. You can remove any large debris with your hands. You should also check the core and the caps for signs of algae
5. Clean the Filter
Filters should be rinsed weekly and cleaned with hot tub filter cleaners monthly and quarterly.
Weekly Rinse
If you’re doing the weekly rinse, use a hose with a spray nozzle to direct the water into the filter. Use your fingers to separate the pleats so the water can reach deep into the filter to clear out hidden dirt and grime. Let the filter air dry completely before putting it back in place.
Monthly Spray Clean
Once a month, you can do a deeper cleaning of your filters using a filter spray. After you pull the filters out, spray them with the hot tub filter cleaner. After about 15 minutes, use the hose to rinse it with clean water. Allow it to dry, and then reinstall it.
Quarterly Deep Clean
When you drain and refill your hot tub, it’s a good time to do a deeper cleaning of your filters. Fill the clean 5-gallon bucket with water and the appropriate amount of filter cleaner according to the manufacturer’s directions. Place the filter into the bucket, ensuring it’s submerged, and leave it there at least overnight for up to 24 hours. Let it dry, and then reinstall it.
Tips for Dealing with Hot Tub Maintenance
Use a prefilter that attaches to the garden hose when filling the hot tub to reduce the contaminants that enter the hot tub.
Create calendar entries or notifications for hot tub maintenance:
Cleaning the spa filters: Weekly
Draining and refilling: Every three to four months
Testing the water: Twice per week
Use a pH increaser or pH decreaser to maintain the proper pH balance and lower alkalinity in the hot tub if necessary.
Add sanitizer, either chlorine or bromine, if sanitizer levels are low.
Skim the water to remove debris before and after use.
Use a hot tub cover when the hot tub isn’t in use.
Rinse the filter thoroughly to prevent any cleaner from foaming up in the water when the filter is reinstalled, and you turn on the jets.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
DIY-friendly rating for cleaning hot tub filters: 10/10. This house project is simple and can be done pretty quickly once you get the hang of it. Most hot tub maintenance is DIY-friendly, but it is time-consuming and may be a lot to add to an already busy schedule. If so, you can hire a local hot tub professional to conduct regular maintenance.
Hot tub companies often offer maintenance plans in which a technician will come to your home and check the water, change the filters, perform mechanical maintenance, and drain and refill the hot tub. While it will cost you money, it will also save you time, and the hot tub will stay clean and ready for relaxation. If you prefer to do the work yourself but need some guidance, you can ask a technician to come to your home and teach you how to keep the hot tub clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinegar can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for many things, including hot tub filters. Soaking hot tub filters in vinegar and water for up to 24 hours can remove dirt and oil, and as a bonus, it won’t cause the water to foam after you reinstall it if there’s vinegar left on it. But make sure you still rinse it to remove any debris, dirt, or grime stuck on it.
No, you cannot clean your hot tub filters in the dishwasher. While it may seem like a good idea, the dishwasher soap isn’t gentle enough for hot tub filters and can damage them. Gentle cleaning is better when cleaning the hot tub filters and keeping them intact.
If you don’t clean your hot tub filters, they’ll build up dirt and grime, preventing them from filtering out contaminants like dirt and bacteria. The dirty water will then circulate through the filter and back into the hot tub, leading to dirty water, a damaged pump and jets, and low heat. This can lead to higher hot tub costs because you may have to pay for repairs.