Circulating, flushing, and refilling can add 24+ hours to the active cleaning time before your hot tub is ready to use.
Cost
$50–$300
You might need a few supplies.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Garden hose
Rubber gloves
Non-scratch scrubbers, sponges, or scouring pads
Five-gallon bucket
Cleaning cloths
Towels
Sump pump (optional)
SUPPLIES
Hot tub line flush cleaner
Hot tub cleaner
Filter cleaner
pH testing kit
Chlorine or bromine tablets (or spa chemicals of your choice)
Shock treatment
Hot tub cabinet cleaner (optional)
Sun protectant (optional)
Even if you maintain your spa meticulously in between scrubbings, you should know how to clean a hot tub to keep it at its best. Besides, the better you clean it, the longer it will stay clean—and the better it will feel to put up your feet and soak in it. Follow these simple hot tub cleaning steps to have your spa sparkling clean in no time and ready for your next relaxation session.
Prepping to Clean a Hot Tub
Before you start, read the hot tub user manual to learn specifics on how to keep your hot tub clean. Every manufacturer has different recommendations for chemicals, tools, and cleaning methods. The steps below can help you get a sparkling clean hot tub, but you should always follow the hot tub maker’s directions for the best and safest results. This will also prevent damage to your hot tub and preserve the spa warranty, if you have one.
Flush the Lines
Start by flushing the lines with a line cleaning solution before you start cleaning in earnest. The best way to do this is simply to add line cleaner or biofilm remover to the spa water. Turn the jets on high speed and let them run for 20 minutes to two hours, or as recommended by the maker of the product you choose.
For safety’s sake, turn off your hot tub’s power button. You should also unplug the hot tub or flip the breaker so electricity is no longer flowing to it. Water and electricity should never mix, so take every precaution to keep yourself safe while you work.
Drain the Hot Tub
Learning how to drain a hot tub is not hard. Simply open your hot tub’s drain valve or drain plug to let the old water run out. If you want to divert the water to another location, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and let it flow.
If your hot tub does not have a drain plug, the drain plug is not functional, or you want a faster option, you can use a sump pump. If you use this method, place the sump pump in the deepest part of your hot tub and follow manufacturer instructions. Stop the pump as soon as the water falls below the drainage line level, or remove the pump as soon as it stops. You can cause damage to a hot tub shell if you allow a pump to run dry.
Hot (Tub) Tip: Reduce water waste by using old hot tub water to water your flowers and lawn, wash your car, clean your patio or trash cans, or perform other watering or cleaning jobs that are safe for gray water use. First, though, you will need to leave the cover off your hot tub to allow it to cool and to allow the chlorine or bromine to evaporate; three days is usually a safe number. It is also smart to check that the water pH is at a neutral level (between 7 and 8) before putting it on plants.
Clean the Filter
While your hot tub drains, remove the filter and clean it. If the filter is older than one year, it is time to replace it. If it is newer and in good condition, spray with clean water from a garden hose, wipe it off with a hot tub filter cleaner, and then rinse until the water runs completely clear. Use a clean cloth to wipe out the inside of the filter compartment, then put the filter back into place.
If the filter is very dirty, you can soak it in a bucket filled with filter cleaner or chlorine solution before rinsing. You may use a filter flosser or other specialty filter cleaning tool to get into the grooves, but never use a brush or abrasive scour pad, as these can cause damage.
Wash the Shell
Put on rubber gloves and use a hot tub cleaning product and sponge or soft scrubber to clean the inside shell of the hot tub. Make sure you pay special attention to ridges, jets, and other areas that are dirty, have mold or mildew present, or tend to accumulate gunk. Use the garden hose again to rinse the shell with clean water, and drain or pump away the dirty water. Using a clean towel, wipe down the shell to remove any remaining residue or cleanser.
Refill the Hot Tub
Photo: Igor Vershinsky / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Start by closing the drain cap and placing your garden hose or filling hose in the filter well. This will filter out minerals from the water and replace the air in the lines with fresh water. Fill the tub until the water is two to three inches above the top of the filter. Filling it more than this can cause it to overflow when you get in and is a waste of water.
Clean the Cover and Cabinet
Your hot tub will not stay clean if the cover is dirty. Depending on the cover manufacturer’s instructions, you can use hot tub cleaner or a diluted bleach solution and a clean cloth to wipe the inside and outside of the cover. Pay special attention to areas that are dirty, as well as crevices and tight spots where mold and mildew can collect.
Next, use a gentle cleaner to wipe around the entire hot tub cabinet. Depending on the material it is made from, you may choose from wood cleaner, dish soap and warm water, or a speciality cleanser. If your hot tub is exposed to direct sunlight and harsh elements, you may want to buy a sun-protectant spray or use a weather protectant to help keep it looking its best.
Restart the Hot Tub
Once your hot tub is completely refilled, plug it in, flip the breaker to the “on” position, and start the spa without turning on the jets. Allow the hot tub circulation pump to circulate the water gently for 20 minutes.
Add Chemicals
Photo: Bill Oxford / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Start with a chemical shock treatment to get rid of hot tub bacteria, then test your tub’s pH balance and chlorine or bromine levels. When the levels are correct, cover the hot tub and let the water gently circulate for 24 hours while the chemicals settle and do their jobs.
Rest and Retest
When 24 hours are up, retest the water’s pH balance and chemical levels and readjust as necessary. This will help lower any hot tub health risks. When the levels are correct, it is time to enjoy your freshly cleaned hot tub.
What to Do Between Hot Tub Cleanings
Deep-cleaning a hot tub every time you refill it is a great way to get it as clean as can be. There are a few things you can do during the in-between times to keep it cleaner for longer.
Regularly monitor and balance chemical levels. Learning how to keep chemicals at the correct levels and how to lower alkalinity in your hot tub are important skills.
Perform a quick weekly clean. Test chemical levels, add chemicals as needed, clean the filter, and wipe down all interior and exterior surfaces (including the cover) with a clean cloth and gentle cleaning solution.
Scoop or skim out leaves and debris as soon as you see them.
Clean the filter at least once a week.
Keep the hot tub covered when not in use.
Shower or rinse off before using your hot tub.
Keep pets out of the water.
Replace the filter annually.
Clean the inner hot tub shell at least quarterly.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you have a little time and are willing to follow some fairly simple directions, learning how to clean a hot tub can be a great way to keep your home spa clean and save some money, lowering overall hot tub costs. Once you have the basic tools, supply costs are minimal—usually just the cost of cleaning products and chemicals. And while the time required can look like a lot, most of it is passive, while you wait for the hot tub to drain, refill, and circulate new chemicals.
On the flipside, hiring a local hot tub company near you for routine cleaning and maintenance services can save you time and is often quite affordable. On average, professionals charge between $100 and $150 for hot tub cleaning services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best thing with which to clean a hot tub is whatever the manufacturer recommends; in most cases, this is a gentle surface cleaner and a soft cloth. Recommended hot tub cleaners can include specially formulated cleaning agents, mild dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, or diluted bleach. For your hot tub exterior, choose wood or vinyl cleaner (depending on the casing material).
You should never use household cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as undiluted bleach or acids, or abrasive cleansers or cloths, as these can scratch or etch your hot tub’s coating or shell and cause permanent damage.
In most cases, it is safe to clean a hot tub with vinegar. You will want to verify that your hot tub manufacturer lists vinegar as a safe cleaning product; however, given that vinegar is chemical-free, cleans, deodorizes, and is safe for people and pets, it is usually a good option. You can use vinegar to clean the hot tub shell, interior and exterior spa surfaces, hot tub jets, hot tub filter, and other parts. It is considered a strong, safe, and natural cleanser that can kill bacteria, remove mold and mildew spores, erase water spots, and remove hard water stains.
If you want to have a chemical-free spa, or if you are wondering how to keep your hot tub clean naturally, there are several options. Some individuals choose to run their hot tub without treatment at all and simply clean it more often (although you risk bacteria, fungi, and algae growth if you take this route); others use natural products like vinegar or Borax. Ozone, ultraviolet light, and electrolysis systems are also eco-friendly ways to have a clean hot tub without chemicals. Saltwater hot tubs are popular with people who are sensitive to chlorine, bromine, and other traditional hot tub chemicals.
Lauren is a full-time writer and editor, focusing on home improvement and construction. She enjoys combining her interest in renovating homes with real-life tips that can make the job easier. Her personal style emphasizes sustainability, retaining original character, revealing hidden beauty, and a love for all things old.
Lauren is a full-time writer and editor, focusing on home improvement and construction. She enjoys combining her interest in renovating homes with real-life tips that can make the job easier. Her personal style emphasizes sustainability, retaining original character, revealing hidden beauty, and a love for all things old.
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