What hot tub chemicals do you need to put in your tub? If you want to maintain your hot tub and ensure that it reduces your stress rather than increasing it, having the right hot tub chemicals is key.
If you already own one of the best hot tubs, you’ll know just how easy it is to turn up the relaxation levels in your home. Be it a premium model or one of the best inflatable hot tubs, these slices of pure R&R are worth their weight in gold. From helping to soothe aches and pains to being (quite literally) the hot spot to entertain – a hot tub is a great way to ease the mind, body, and soul.
However, when it comes to looking after your model, what hot tub chemicals do you need? How often should you put these chemicals in? And will your hot tub work without chemicals? To find out all these and more, we put these questions to Tom Drakett, Brand Marketing Manager at Lay-Z-Spa.
What hot tub chemicals should you put in your tub before using it?
Brand Marketing Manager at Lay-Z-Spa, Tom Drakett, says: “Clearwater provides multifunction chlorine tablets. These are slow-releasing tablets that contain chlorine, algaecide, and clarifier. They can be used in a dispenser and slowly dose the water with the required amount of chlorine to keep the water clean and healthy. Dosage guidance for Clearwater chemicals is included on all packaging.”
So you’ve bought yourself a hot tub. However, before filling it up with water and jumping straight in, how can you ensure your tub is working optimally?
“Treating water with chemicals can seem daunting, but once you've got the hang of it, it is straightforward,” Tom says.
“For first-time hot tub owners, we always recommend getting a few basics to get started. This includes:
1. Chlorine to sanitize your hot tub
2. Ph plus and minus to adjust levels
3. Foam remover in case of foam build-up
4. Test strips to know what chemicals need addressing."
What hot tub chemicals should you put in your tub?
Tom says: “At a very basic level, chlorine granules are the number one chemical needed to sanitize the water. Chlorine is a sanitizer that kills off any harmful contaminants in the water, prevents bacteria growth, and makes the water safe to use.”
But aside from this, there are further chemicals that might be needed in order to keep a healthy chemical balance.
“pH plus or pH minus may be required to control the acidity or alkalinity of the water,” Tom says. “Total Alkalinity plus might be required to increase the water’s Total Alkalinity. For maintenance, you may require a scale and stain controller, especially in hard water areas. You might also need a clarifier if your water is prone to quickly losing quality.
If in doubt, the best thing to do is to check your hot tub owner’s manual and go through the exact processes you need to tick off to keep your pride and joy working around the clock."
He adds, “To limit your use of chemicals, you should be cleaning your filters at least once per month, and then every six months, completely drain your spa, refill it with fresh, clean water, and replace the Ecopur filter element.”
Will your hot tub work without chemicals?
Whilst your hot tub might continue to work without the addition of chemicals, Tom says: “We would not advise anyone to use a hot tub without treating the water with chemicals.”
Chemicals keep your hot tub clean, they keep it safe to relax in and they make sure it's ready for you and your guests to use all year round. The use of chemicals also prolongs the lifespan of your tub, preventing the build-up of bacteria.
When you think about it, if you don’t drain the water in your hot tub, the same water is being used for days, weeks, and, in some cases, months again. You wouldn’t use the same bath water you, your friends, and/or your family have bathed in, so why do the same in a hot tub?"
