Being in the hot tub industry, we have heard horror stories of disgusting hot tubs. We’ve heard about spas where the water quality was so bad you couldn’t see the bottom of the hot tub, spas where the hot tub chemicals were so unbalanced it caused mold, algae and bacteria to grow, and many other horror stories. Sometimes the damage done by improper hot tub and water care was so severe the spa could not function anymore. Proper hot tub maintenance can extend the life of your hot tub exponentially. Most hot tubs that are well taken care of can last 8 to 20 years. Something as body oils can mess up your hot tub’s water chemistry and cause issues. We want to help you get the most from your hot tub, so we’re going to explain how to clean a hot tub. The cleaning steps for in ground hot tubs, above ground hot tubs, as well as inflatable hot tubs are essentially the same, but may require different methods to do them.

Cleaning a Hot Tub Step by Step

1) Flush The Lines

The first step in hot tub cleaning is to flush out the plumbing lines. This requires your hot tub to still be on. Many people will actually skip this step, but it’s essential to giving your hot tub a true deep clean. Over the usage of your hot tub, bacteria can build up inside the plumbing. You do not need hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, white vinegar, or any other cleaning products. There is a product called “Hot Tub System Flush” specifically designed to help clean your hot tub’s plumbing. 

To use hot tub flush, simply pour it into your hot tub water and let it circulate for about 20 minutes. If you want a super clean hot tub, you can leave the flush in for up to 4 hours. When cleaning out hot tubs with flush, it’s possible a thick brown or black foam will come to the surface. It may be worrisome, but it just means the flush is effectively cleaning out the plumbing. 

2) Drain Your Hot Tub

After cleaning the plumbing of the hot tub, you now want to drain the water from your hot tub. It’s important to make sure your hot tub is off before draining the hot tub. Once your hot tub is off, you’ll want to remove the filter. Your hot tub will have a side designed for service access. Inside this service access area is your drain valve. There will be a drain fitting with a shutoff valve that fits the female end of a garden hose. Make sure the other end of the hose is in a location where you are okay to release the water from the hot tub. The water you are draining will not be fresh water, but it is safe to dispose of in your yard, septic system or in a drain. However, make sure you follow all local/municipal codes and regulations for disposal. You will now twist the shutoff valve counterclockwise to open the valve and drain the water. You’ll want to let the spa completely drain before closing the valve. This can take a while to drain, so while it does so, you can clean your hot tub filters and cover.

3) Clean your Filters

To clean your filter, you can just spray it off with a hose (with clean water, not the dirty spa water being drained). We only recommend this if your hot tub filter is fairly new. A hot tub filter can be reused, but should also be replaced every now and then. You can read more about cleaning your filters here. 

4) Clean Your Cover

Cleaning a cover can be done with a cover cleanser. To clean a hot tub cover, spray the cleanser on one side of the cover and scrub. Some cleanser’s may tell you to rinse it off, others will not. Once one side is done, you can do the other side. After washing your cover, wipe down the underside (inside part of the cover) of it with a 10:1 water and white vinegar solution. This helps prevent mold and mildew growth on the cover.  You can read more about cleaning your cover here. 

5) Clean Your Hot Tub Shell

Now that you have cleaned the hot tubs plumbing and drained the hot tub, the next step is to clean the hot tub shell. The shell is what the inner part of the hot tub is called. This part is where people sit and the water fills. You can spray the shell with a hose if possible or use a clean, wet washcloth to remove any dirt and grime. Using a hot tub cleanser can make this process even easier. There are hot tub cleansers designed to clean the shell of your hot tub. Some multi-purpose sprays can be too abrasive and damage the spa shell or leave residue that will mess up the water chemistry. Using some cleaners not designed for hot tubs can even void your hot tubs warranty depending on the company. 

After cleaning your spa, you may want to consider using a hot tub polish as well. This creates a protective layer that bonds to the spa and protects it from scratches and stains. 

6) Clean Your Hot Tub’s Cabinet

After cleaning the inside of the spa, you need to clean the outside of the spa. Some spas cabinet is made of wood and others are resin. This will affect the cleaner you should use. For a wooden cabinet, they have cleaners specifically made for cleaning wood. You’ll want to use this. If you have a resin cabinet, you can actually just spray it with a hose and use a multi-purpose cleaner to clean the outside. 

7) Refill Your Hot Tub

With your hot tub interior and exterior now cleaned, you can refill your hot tub. Once your spa is full, you can turn your spa back on. 

8) Maintain your Water

After cleaning and filling your spa, you’ll want to test the water chemistry. Above we mentioned some cleaners can mess up your water chemistry. This is why you’ll now want to test the water chemistry and take the needed actions to correct it. You can read more about water chemistry here, or read about the importance of water care here. 

9) Repeat

You’ll want to clean your spa every so often. Maintaining water chemistry should be done daily. Ideally, you should clean your filters weekly or monthly. We recommend cleaning your cover every 2 or 3 months. You should clean your hot tub shell and cabinet every 3 to 4 months. This all seems like a lot, but a hot tub is a couple thousand dollar investment. You’ll want to take proper care of it and doing so can extend it’s lifespan. Taking proper care of your spa also eliminates most problems your spa will encounter, saving you money later. 

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• The reagent test kit is a method which provides a high level of accuracy. It is available in either liquid or tablet form.
• Test strips are a convenient testing method commonly used by spa owners to test water pH levels.

Balancing the Total Alkalinity

Total alkalinity (TA) is the measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and other alkaline substances in the water. Total alkalinity can be considered a pH buffer. It is the measure of the ability of the water to resist changes in pH level.

• The recommended spa total alkalinity is 80 – 120 parts per million (ppm).
• If hot tub alkalinity is too low, the pH level will fluctuate widely from high to low. You can raise alkalinity and adjust alkalinity by adding spa alkalinity increaser (it’s a real thing you can buy).
• If the total alkalinity is too high, it can raise pH levels too high. It can be difficult to adjust pH and bring it down. High alkalinity can be corrected by adding pH decreaser (also real).
• When total alkalinity is balanced, it normally remains stable, although adding water with high or low alkalinity will decrease or increase alkalinity in spas.

Balancing the Calcium Hardness

Calcium hardness (CH) is a measure of the total amount of dissolved calcium in the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spa’s water and is why soft water is not recommended. The low calcium content of soft water is very corrosive to the equipment and can cause staining of the spa shell.

• The recommended calcium hardness is 150 – 200 ppm.
• If the CH is too low, add liquid hardness increaser (this one sounds super made up, but is totally real).
• If the CH is too high, dilute the spa water with soft water or, if this is not available, add stain and scale defense (we swear, we’re not making this stuff up).
• When the CH is balanced, it normally remains stable, although adding soft water or very hard water will raise or lower the CH level.

Balancing the pH

The pH level is the measure of the balance between acidity and alkalinity.

• The recommended pH is 7.2 – 7.6.
• Low pH can cause corrosion of metal fixtures and the heating element. You can raise pH in hot tubs with a pH increaser (it’s a real thing).

If the pH is too high, it can cause scaling by allowing metals or minerals to form deposits and stain spa surfaces. Above we mentioned pH increaser for hot tubs, well they also make pH decreaser for lowering pH.

What’s “Ozone”?

Chemically known as O3, it is produced from simple oxygen molecules in our atmosphere. Ozone is produced in nature from lightning during electrical storms and from ultraviolet rays from the sun. It forms Earth’s protective layer. Your spa’s ozone generator is designed to duplicate this natural sanitizer. Ozone breaks down and oxidizes oils, suntan lotions, sweat, urea, etc. from spa water more effectively than commercial oxidizers. Working with chlorine or bromine systems in your spa, ozone destroys bacteria and viruses and will do so more effectively. Ozone only leaves simple oxygen in the water as a by-product.

If your spa is equipped with an ozone generator it will automatically produce ozone, but it cannot be used as the sole means of maintaining safe spa water. You must select and use a spa chemical sanitizer in addition to your ozone generator. The ozone generator is a wearable, non-warranty item and it needs to be replaced approximately every 2 years.

Sanitation

You will need to decide which chemical sanitizer you wish to use, regardless of the presence of an ozonator. Spa owners with an ozonator still need to use a chemical sanitizer. Sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water clean. A low sanitizer level will allow microbes to grow quickly in the spa water. Use either bromine or chlorine as your sanitizer or a non-chlorine/non-bromine sanitizer. Either works well when maintained regularly. Consult your spa dealer for the right decision with regards to your lifestyle and spa usage. Important: Read and follow all chemical manufacturers’ guidelines for usage and safety.

If Using Chlorine as a Sanitizer

• Do not use Tri-chlor tablets or liquid chlorine.
• Once a week, check the chlorine level using either a test strip or a reagent kit. Refer to product for the ideal range.
• Monitor chlorine levels of the spa water weekly. Note that chlorine dissipation rate will be faster at higher water temperatures and slower at lower temperatures.
• When you add chlorine, make sure no bathers are in the spa, open all jets and run the spa at high speed with the cover open for at least 30 minutes.

If Using Bromine as a Sanitizer

• Bromine is a very effective sanitizer that produces low chemical odors. Unlike chlorine, it can break down bacteria and other impurities to a safe level with a low burn-out rate. See bromine system labeling for usage.

Shocking the Water

• In addition to using a chemical sanitizer, you may need to shock the water. Shocking the water helps remove burned-out chemicals, bacteria, and other organic material from your spa’s water and improves your sanitizer’s effectiveness.
• Do not use chlorinating shock, which will damage your spa’s jets and pump seals. Only use an oxidizer shock. It is an easy way to maintain chemical plans.

For best results, add oxidizer shock:

• If sanitizer level temporarily reads low
• After heavy bather loads
• If water has a strong odor

The spa must be running with all of the jets on high for 30 minutes with the cover open. If necessary, repeat oxidizer shock in 30-­­minute intervals.

Important Chemical Safety

Read and follow all printed instructions listed on bottles and packages. Failure to follow chemical directions may result in serious injury, sickness, or even death.

• Never add chemicals while bathers are in the spa!
• Do not exceed chemical dosages as recommended on chemical bottles and packages.
• Never change chemical brands or types without completely draining, flushing and thoroughly cleaning the spa and cover first.
• Never mix chemicals together.
• Do not allow chemicals to come in contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Remove and wash clothing that may have been exposed to chemical contact prior to wearing them again.
• Inhaling or ingesting chemicals will cause serious injury, sickness, or even death.
• Chemicals must be stored completely out of the reach of children in an area that is well vented, cool, and dry. Failure to provide a proper area for chemical storage may result in serious injury, sickness, fire, explosion and even death. Do not store your chemicals inside the equipment area of your spa.
• Add chemicals to the center of the spa with the pump running.
• Make sure the water is heated.  Never add chemicals to cold water, as this will affect chemical action.
• Never add chemicals to the skimmer.

Conclusion

We covered a lot of information in this article like pH vs alkalinity, how to increase alkalinity in hot tubs, calcium hardness, sanitation, and more. It’s a lot to take in. Taking care of a hot tub and mastering water chemistry can be more work than some people realize. As complicated as it gets, it’s not impossible. There’s thousands of spa owners out there that can add hot tub care to their resumes. You too can master it with practice and own a clean hot tub. 

Our owner’s manual contains more information on hot tub maintenance and can be accessed and downloaded anytime. If you ever have any questions about water chemistry, alkalinity vs pH, how to raise alkalinity in hot tubs, or any other hot tub questions, our Customer Service team is happy to help anytime. We have a staff of hot tub experts that wants to help you understand your hot tub and get the most out of it. 

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• What Temperature Do Hot Tubs Go Up To?
• What Temperature Are Hot Tubs Normally?
• What’s The Ideal Hot Tub Temperature?
• Can I Turn My Hot Tub Into a Cold Tub?
• What Temperature Is Safe For Kids?
• What Temperature Is Safe For Infants?
• What Temperature Is Safe If You Are Pregnant?
• How Fast Does a Hot Tub Heat Up?
• What Temperature Is Best For Hydrotherapy?

What Temperature Do Hot Tubs Go Up To?

Have you ever wondered how hot a hot tub can get? The temperature of hot tubs offered at MyHotTub range from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a 24 degree difference, and within that, everyone has a preferred temperature. The temperature only goes up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit because afterwards it becomes dangerous. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission found the risk of a heat stroke and other heat related injuries are very high in a hot tub above 104 degrees. The Canadian Standards Association or CSA also requires hot tubs to go no higher than 104 degrees. 

What Temperature Are Hot Tubs Normally?

Most people prefer their hot tubs temperature to be between 96 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. But there really is no “normal” hot tub temperature. The normal hot tub temperature can be whatever you wish it to be.

What’s The Ideal Hot Tub Temperature?

There is no answer to “what is the ideal hot tub temperature”. It actually just comes down to personal preference. The human body has an internal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people enjoy a hot tub temperature above body temperature. Temperatures below 98 degrees may feel cold to the touch. Many hot tub models follow similar guidelines on the minimum heat offered, but stick to the maximum of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature between the minimum and the maximum temperature is an ideal temperature, you just need to figure out what is the best temperature for you. The location you live in may affect the temperature you set as well. 

Can I Turn My Hot Tub Into a Cold Tub?

Many people prefer a hot tub to be colder than their body temperature and that’s fine. Our hot tubs can go as low as 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Many swimming pools range from 70 degrees to 82 degrees. Typically, a pool is colder than a spa. So by lowering your hot tub temperature to 82 or below, you can create your own small swimming pool. If you want a quick way to cool off during a hot summer day, this can be perfect.

What Temperature Is Safe For Kids?

Children have skin that is much more sensitive than an adult’s skin. Because of this, the hot tub temperature should be lowered if children are in the hot tub. Temperatures between 94 and 98 are suitable for children. Be sure to monitor their health while in a hot tub and limit soaks to 5 to 10 minutes. 

What Temperature Is Safe For Infants?

Infants have very sensitive skin and are much more susceptible to heat and the chemicals in a hot tub. DO NOT BRING INFANTS INTO A HOT TUB. It’s best to wait until a child can stand in a hot tub with their head above water on their own.

What Temperature Is Safe If You Are Pregnant?

If you decide to use a hot tub when pregnant, please consult your doctor first. The heat of a hot tub can raise your internal temperature, which can cause harm during pregnancy. If you use a hot tub, you should turn down the heat and limit soaks to 10 minutes. Monitor your health when in a hot tub and drink a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated.

How Fast Does a Hot Tub Heat Up?

A hot tub that operates on 120 volts typically heats 1 to 2 degrees an hour. These are typically the plug and play models. A hot tub operating on 240 volts heats about 3 to 6 degrees an hour. These spas are the bigger acrylic spas we offer. 

What Temperature Is Best For Hydrotherapy?

Hot tubs are a source of hydrotherapy. The warm waters can benefit you both physically and mentally. The water feels warm when it is hotter than the human body’s internal temperature. Temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit will feel warm and provide the benefits of hydrotherapy. The warm water loosens up blood vessels, providing better blood flow to parts of the body. This helps soothe sore muscles and body aches.

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Chemicals such as chlorine and bromine not only kill bacteria and algae, but also prevent the growth of other harmful pathogens. Incorrectly using chemicals can lead to skin and eye irritation, as well as damage to the hot tub’s equipment. It is important to regularly test the chemical balance in the hot tub, and add chemicals as needed. Proper chemical maintenance can ensure a clean and enjoyable hot tub experience.

Chlorine and bromine are both commonly used as disinfectants in swimming pools and hot tubs, but there are some key differences between the two.  Chlorine is more widely used and is generally cheaper than bromine. It is also more effective in killing bacteria and viruses, but it can cause skin and eye irritation and has a strong smell. Bromine is less irritating to the skin and eyes and has a milder odor, making it a good choice for indoor pools or spas. It is also more effective at killing algae and is often used in hot tubs.

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The usage of hot tubs has been studied, and researchers have found hot tubs actually have health benefits. They have even gone as far as calling hot tubs therapeutic. The hot tub therapy benefits have now been included in the “hydrotherapy” category and are used by athletes and physical therapists around the world. You can do hydrotherapy in multiple options. Some people will use an ice bath, some use a pool for physical therapy, and others use warm water to soothe muscles. You can now make a hot tub soak part of your workout routine or healthy lifestyle. 

Are Hot Tubs Really Therapeutic?

Researchers have determined there are in fact benefits from using a hot tub. Hot tub therapy has grown in popularity and has adapted over the years. Therapy hot tubs are now a big part of hot tub sales, and many people will buy a spa not only for entertaining and relaxation, but also for the benefits of hot tub therapy. Spa manufacturers have even started to focus on the benefits of hot tub therapy and incorporate it into the design of spas. Spas are now being built with jets located in specific spots to target different areas of the body. The parts of the body being targeted through hydrotherapy are the:

• Neck & Shoulders
• Upper & Lower Back
• Shoulders/Rotator Cuffs
• Hips
• Hands & Wrists
• Legs & Calves
• Feet

How Does Hot Tub Therapy Work?

Now that we know hydrotherapy is a real thing and hot tubs can benefit your health, let’s talk about how it actually helps you. Using a hot tub relieves stress and relaxes muscles. By offering you an escape from your daily problems and giving you a way to clear your mind, stress levels lower by using a hot tub. Hydrotherapy is often done by performing exercises or movements in warm water. Other times, it’s using warm water to soothe the body. A physical therapy hot tub is used to help people recover from injuries and take the strain off muscles and tendons. The water reduces the weight of the body by 90%. By slowly doing these exercises, the body builds its strength back up. 

The hot water of a hot tub expands the body’s blood vessels, allowing more blood flow. When the parts of the body receive more blood, it helps it recover and heal. The benefits of hot tub therapy are often used after exercise or competing, but can also be used before exercising to loosen muscles. The jets of a hot tub target specific problem areas and provide a massage that helps soothe the muscles and allow you to relax. 

Benefits Of Hot Tub Therapy

We have established that hot tub therapy is a real thing, it works, and it targets parts of the body. In explaining how it works, we have also touched on the benefits a hot tub gives you. A hot tub has mental and physical benefits. It provides stress relief, muscle massage, relaxation, healing, increased blood flow, and can help you fall asleep easier. These benefits are used by doctors, athletes, and other people all around the world. Nearly every spa now has jets in locations targeted to aid the body and help it recover. We have a separate article on real world athletes that use hydrotherapy in their routine. Order a MyHotTub spa, and soon you can enjoy the benefits of hot tub therapy yourself

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• Can You Do It?
• Should You Do It?

Can I Drink In A Hot Tub?

Physically, yes, we can’t stop you from doing it. Just follow any laws regarding alcohol in the area you live. Around the United States, the minimum drinking age is 21. This means anyone under the age of 21 should not be drinking no matter what. Other countries around the world have different minimum drinking ages, such as 16 in Germany or 18 in Ireland. Review the laws regarding alcohol before you do any drinking. If you’re legally allowed to drink, you can do so in a hot tub. You should also consider your health if drinking alcohol. If you’re insure if you can drink, it’s best to avoid it and consult a doctor. Before drinking in a hot tub, you should consider if it’s okay to drink. While we can’t physically stop you from drinking, we strongly advise against it.

Should I Drink In A Hot Tub?

Ideally, no. A hot tub raises your body temperature and causes dehydration. You won’t die of dehydration in a hot tub in a 10 minute soak, but after a while, the effects become stronger. Alcohol is also known to cause dehydration and raise the body’s temperature. Mixing the two can amplify the effects of alcohol and time it takes to become dehydrated. Alcohol can also cause dizziness; when drinking , you want to be careful not to slip. Hot tubs and alcohol can both relax you. Either of the two can be so relaxing it puts you to sleep. If drinking alcohol, do not fall asleep in a hot tub. If you do drink in a hot tub, get someone sober to get in the hot tub with you. Some people use a “designated driver” when going out drinking. This person doesn’t drink so that they can drive others home. You should have a “designated hot tub friend” to avoid alcohol and assist you if needed. Spa models like our Mesa 26, include an ice bucket to give you a cold drink while in the spa. The purpose is to aid with dehydration. If you drink alcohol in a hot, monitor your health. 

All the effects of alcohol can be amplified in a hot tub. You can

• Have Mood Changes
• Have Behavior Changes
• Become Uncoordinated
• Think Unclearly
• Develop Cardiomyopathy
• Get Arrhythmias
• Have a Stroke
• Develop High Blood Pressure
• Develop a Fatty Liver
• Get Alcoholic Hepatitis
• Get Fibrosis
• Get Cirrhosis
• And Much More

Alcohol can have many harmful effects on the body. You can read more about it here, directly from the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, spilling alcohol in your hot tub can mess up the chemical levels. Alcohol can be great for relaxing. But, should you drink in a hot tub? No.

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You may not believe it, but hot tubs have many benefits that soothe your body and help in recovery. Using water to aid in recovery is called hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is often done by performing exercises or movements in warm water. Other times, it’s using warm water to soothe the body. Pools and hot tubs are often the used to accomplish this. We are going to focus on hot tubs, but both can benefit you before and after exercise.

Before Exercising

Soaking in a hot tub before exercising can loosen up muscles and deter from injuries. This makes it easier to exercise and can allow for better performance. Tight and stiff muscles can lead to tears and strains. The hot water helps the body’s blood vessels expand, allowing more blood flow to these areas. Soaking your body before a workout can also relieve former injuries that may persist and hinder your performance and help you de-stress, relax, and gain focus.

After Exercise

After  strenuous exercise or activity, a hot tub has many benefits. Once again, the warm waters will expand these blood vessels allowing more blood flow to your sore and stiff areas. The jets can even be used to target specific areas of the body and relieve aches and pains. The water warm can help you relax after a workout and release any built-up tension or stress. Performing can often leave you mentally drained; a hot tub soak can help you unwind and relax mentally as well. A 15-minute soak in a hot tub after a workout can aid in foot aches, lower back pains, and ease the symptoms of arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle strains, sprains, and other injuries. The water can take pressure off joints, easing pain and helping movement.

Soaking in a hot tub an hour before bed has even been shown to help people fall asleep faster. The warm water helps slow down the production of stress hormones in the body, allowing you to clear your mind before bed.

Sports Teams That Use It

Hydrotherapy hot tubs are so popular and recommended by physical therapists that some sports teams have them included in their training facilities or locker rooms. The University of Nebraska’s training facility includes two stainless steel hot tubs for their athletes. In 2014, Texas A & M renovated their training facilities to include both hot and cold hydrotherapy pools in a room with eight HD TV’s mounted in the walls and a floor-to ceiling water wall. In 2020, Georgia Tech renovated their women’s basketball locker room with a hydrotherapy area, including hot and cold tubs to assist in student-athletes’ everyday recovery and rehabilitation. Even the New York Yankees have hydrotherapy pools in their stadiums to help their athletes.

While we don’t encourage his routine, popular basketball star LeBron James has a pre-game and post-game routine involving a hot tub. LeBron’s trainer, Mike Mancias, explained “The contrast that we do is either pre-game or post-game, pre-practice or post-practice. It consists of a hot tub or a cold tub, or an ice tub (and) a hot shower—on the road, you have to be resourceful. The basics of it is starting hot for five minutes, (next) you go to cold for five minutes, then you do about three cycles of that.” The Jackie Robinson training facility also has a hydrotherapy area.

Many athletes live by the benefits of hydrotherapy. Just 15 mins a day can greatly help improve your performance and recovery. With a hot tub, workout recovery has never been more enjoyable.

References

Hall, B. (2019, November 7). Can You Handle LeBron James’ Secret Recovery Weapon? Retrieved from Stack: https://www.stack.com/a/can-you-handle-lebron-james-secret-recovery-weapon/

Kamieniecki, S. (2020). Yankees Editorial: Health concerns should convince Yankees players not to play. Retrieved from Fansided: https://yanksgoyard.com/2020/05/30/yankees-editorial-health-concerns-convince-yankees-players-not-play/

NCAA History Guide. (2014, October 7th). Why Athletes Benefit from Using Hot Tubs. Retrieved from NCAA History Guide: https://ncaahistoryguide.com/why-athletes-benefit-using-hot-tubs/

NFL. (2014, September 17). Rapid Recuperation: Five workout recovery strategies. Retrieved from NFL: https://www.nfl.com/news/rapid-recuperation-five-workout-recovery-strategies-0ap3000000396474

Samuels, D. (2014, July 31). Texas A&M’s renovated facility puts it among the best in CFB. Retrieved from Football Scoop: https://footballscoop.com/news/texas-a-m-s-renovated-locker-room-is-insane

Walden, M. (2019, August 23). Six Hot Tub Benefits. Retrieved from Sports Injury Clinic: https://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/treatments-therapies/cryotherapy-cold-therapy/benefits-hot-tub

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Hot Tub Safety Checklist

• Lock Your Hot Tub When Not In Use
• Store Chemicals Somewhere Safe
• Use Chemicals Safely
• Supervise Children Around The Spa
• Be Careful Around The Drain, Filter, & Jets
• Don’t Sit On The Cover
• Do Not Bring Electronics In The Hot Tub
• Stay Hydrated & Avoid Alcohol
• Monitor How You Feel
• Be Careful Of Slipping
• Keep Your Hot Tub Clean
• Consider Any Health Conditions You Have

Lock Your Hot Tub
Locking your hot tub can be beneficial in multiple ways. First and foremost, it helps keep unwanted pests, debris, dirt, and children out of your spa. Without a cover, dirt, leaves, sticks, and other items can wind up in your spa, either making cleaning a hassle or damaging the spa. Locking your spa goes the extra mile to keep children and unwanted animals from entering your spa. Another benefit of locking your spa is, it aids in heat retention. This means your spa uses less energy to heat up, thus saving you money.

Store Chemicals Somewhere Safe
Make sure you store chemicals somewhere safe from damage, children, or pests. The chemicals used to keep a hot tub clean can be hazardous like any other chemical. Many spa manufacturers don’t ship spas with chemicals because if they are damaged or spill, they can create hazardous fumes. These chemicals contain warnings on their containers. It may seem tedious, but it’s important to read these and know the dangers of the chemicals you are using and use them in a responsible manner. Chemicals should not be stored anywhere where children or animals can access. 

Use Chemicals Safely
The chemicals used in a hot tub can be hazardous as stated above. It’s important to read labels and use chemicals as intended and in the recommended amounts. Using too much of a chemical can cause eye, skin, and nose irritation, as well as many worse conditions. Do not inhale or ingest any chemicals. Additionally, don’t add chemicals while people are actively in the spa.

Supervise Children Around The Spa
Are hot tubs safe for kids? Yes, but there are conditions that should be followed. At what age is it safe for hot tubs? It’s recommended children under 5 should avoid hot tubs. You also want to make sure your hot tub is locked and children can’t get in without supervision. Once again, make sure to keep children away from spa chemicals. A hot tub can cause dehydration and raise your body’s temperature. Hot tub soaks should be limited to 10 to 30 minute sessions. You can go longer, but monitor how you are feeling and stay hydrated. 

Be Careful Around The Drain, Filter, & Jets
It’s not unheard of for fingers or toes to get stuck in a jet, the drain or the filter. Additionally, hair can on occasion get caught in the drain.

Don’t Sit On The Cover
A hot tub cover is not the strongest thing in the world. If you sit on it, it can collapse or break.

Don’t Bring Electronics In The Hot Tub
Electronic items in water can electrocute you. If you don’t die from electrocution, at the very least, your device is likely ruined.

Stay Hydrated & Avoid Alcohol
A hot tub can raise your body temperature and cause dehydration. Spa models like our Mesa 26 include an ice bucket and tray. This is to aid in dehydration. You can add ice and keep a cold drink near you to stay hydrated and enjoy a longer hot tub soak. Alcohol is also known to dehydrate people; thus, drinking alcohol while in a hot tub can magnify these effects. 

Monitor How You Feel
Because a hot tub raises your body temperature and can cause dehydration, it’s recommended to keep hot tub soaks to 10 to 30 minute sessions. You can go longer, but monitor how you feel and stay hydrated.

Be Careful Of Slipping
A hot tub has water in it. As you get in and out, water is bound to spill. Be careful not to slip getting in and out of the spa. Sometimes, a hand rail or non-slip stairs are helpful. 

Keep Your Hot Tub Clean
A clean hot tub is a safe hot tub. A hot tub uses a filter and chemicals to clean it, but it requires work from you to help keep it clean. The bacteria and dirt that can collect can be harmful to your health. The bacteria can cause infections or worse. Absolutely, no not use a spa with an open wound.

Consider Any Health Conditions You Have
When using a hot tub, you should always consider any health conditions you have. If you’re uncertain a spa is safe for you, consult your doctor. Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy? Yes, but you should lower the temperature and stick to 10 to 15 minute soaks. Be sure to monitor how you feel. There is research that shows pregnant women who use a spa for long periods of time or frequently are more at risk for having babies with neural tube birth defects.

Are hot tubs safe during COVID-19? Yes. The CDC has reported the virus cannot spread through water. However, close contact with someone with the virus can still infect you.

Conclusion

Are hot tubs safe? Yes, as long as they are used in a safe manner. Anything can be unsafe if used improperly. If you review our safety checklist and follow these points, your hot tub experience will be much safer. We want to emphasize that this article is not to scare you out of a hot tub, but rather to make sure you know the dangers of a hot tub and can keep safe. Hot tub injuries or accidents do not often happen, but can still occur. 

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Hot tubs tap into what’s now classified as hydrotherapy, which is the use of water for therapeutic measures. When you submerge in the hot tub, the blower jets quicken the waters that give you the feeling of massage. For maximum effect, it’s best to consult your physician about the ins-and-outs of hydrotherapy and how it can supplement your normal healthcare routine. 

Let’s look at a few ways how hot tubs and hydrotherapy combine to enhance your health. 

The Active Group
Imagine you’ve just returned from the local 5K run through a course traversing concrete sidewalks, two bridges, and a steep incline through a wooded hillside. Today, you set a personal record, finishing in 21 minutes and 37 seconds. After a cool-down jog and some active stretches, you lumber to the car and breeze home, impatient for a post-run soak. Once the hot tub’s ready, you clamber in for a soothing soak, with a mixed berry smoothie in hand. The therapeutic waters are more than just a distraction; as you’re immersing, they’re working for you. How? 

The waters stimulate blood circulation, supplying oxygen to those fatigued calf, hamstring, and quadriceps muscles. The soft tissues also receive an increased oxygen supply, which reduces inflammation and promotes recovery. While fellow runners hobble to their medicine cabinets for ibuprofen, you’re submerged in an all-natural, rewarding remedy. 

The Professional Group
Maybe you’re not much of a runner, but work demands heap enough stress to make you feel as though you’re running a 5K a week. You know well that stress cripples your posture, clenches your muscles, leaving you feeble and exhausted. But an oasis awaits, and a plunge in the hot tub relieves tension in your extremities. 

The water exerts a buoyant force on you, giving the feeling of weightlessness. Again, the good feelings translate into positive health effects. This buoyant force alleviates stress on joints and muscles, meaning your headache and sore back can’t hang around any longer. With an oasis like this on tap, you can rejuvenate your body and refresh your mind so when home, you can relish the free time rather than being hampered by anxieties. 

The Chronic Pain Group
Ailments zap your zeal for life. Your arthritic knee won’t permit you rest at night, and the continual pain gnaws at your resolve. But with a hot tub, you have a pain management option right outside the back door (without the co-pays and out-of-pocket costs). 

The hot tub water’s hydrotherapeutic effect on circulation also produces endorphins. These endorphins are peptides that activate the body’s opioid receptors. Endorphins cut down the swelling and ease the sting of your arthritic knee. Of course, it doesn’t replace a physician’s care, but it’s an attractive option if you’ve been cleared to go the pain management route. Chronic pain steals not only physical comfort but also peace of mind. Let your hot tub place this physical and mental peace back in your hands. 

The Thinker Group
You need a place in life to mull things over, whether it’s contemplating a life decision or thinking through ideas for a new project. Serenity comes with generating the proper conditions, and a hot tub sets the tone. You can read a book, watch a movie, take in your surroundings, or think freely while permitting those restorative waters to flow around you. Full-body relaxation encourages a more focused mind and revitalized perspective. This mind-body-spirit connection cultivates an ability to make critical decisions when the occasion demands. Whatever the reason you soak, know the remedial effects come with each trip to your backyard hot spring. 

At MyHotTub.com, we create the most enjoyable and complete hot tub experience possible. We begin with our high-quality made-in-the-USA hot tubs, but we don’t stop there… offering spa accessories, parts, service and an attentive customer service team. Shop with confidence online or in our stores. 

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