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. 

The post How To Clean a Hot Tub Step By Step appeared first on MyHotTub.

Creating this small parcel of paradise in our own home can be amazing. Every day you can come home to your own private getaway. We see people trying to achieve this by planting gorgeous plants and trees, adding stone work to their home, or buying a pool, firepit, cabana, gazebo or hot tub. There’s many people who have created an oasis at home. One way we see many people create their own slice of paradise is with backyard outdoor hot tubs.

Decorate Your Backyard By Placing A Hot Tub

Hot tubs may not be part of everyone’s dream location, and that’s okay. However, we believe after a 30 minute soak in the lounger seat of our Mazara 70 will change your mind. You can turn on the waterfall feature and listen to the sounds of nature while the warm waters soothe your body and help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Some people believe hot tubs are for backyards only, but that’s not true. Some prefer to place their hot tub indoors, and there’s certainly pros and cons to doing so. We strongly recommend placing your hot tub outdoors. One of the biggest advantages of this is experiencing the sounds of nature, breathing in fresh air, and more freedom to design your own paradise. You can lay down stone work, add other water features and outdoor furniture. Generally, there’s more space outdoors to do as you please. 

There’s plenty of great inspirations you can find for backyard hot tub ideas on Pinterest or Google Images. Hot tubs have health benefits that can elevate your oasis. Hot tubs have multiple physical and mental health benefits that can turn your oasis into your own relaxation zone.

Make Yourself A Relaxation Zone By Buying Hot Tub

Hot tubs are now built with jets in specific locations to target parts of the body. A hot tub can provide you with a massage for your:

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

The warm waters and hot tub jets relieve stress and relax muscles. When in hot water, the body’s blood vessels expand, allowing more blood flow to areas of the body. This promotes healing and recovery. A hot tub can also take the strain off muscles and tendons and can even help you fall asleep faster. These benefits combined with the beauty and tranquility of your oasis, can create the ultimate relaxation zone. You can escape the stresses of the day and relax your mind and body.

Which Hot Tub Should You Choose?

If you believe a hot tub is just what you need to complete your oasis, how do you choose a hot tub? We wrote an article about picking the best hot tub; essentially, comparing two hot tubs is no easy thing to do. Every hot tub offers different features that make it different from another spa. These features can include:

• Seating Count
• Seating Options (Lounger or Non-Lounger)
• Price
• Reviews
• Brand
• Water Features
• Warranties
• Return Policies
• And so much more

The secret to finding the best hot tub is to find the best hot tub for YOU. You need to access all the options offered and how each spa is different from each other. You then need to decide which features matter the most to you. Maybe you’re concerned about price the most, installation, or quality. These can be hard to access. While one spa might be cheaper than another, you might be losing a feature the more expensive spa has. Comparing quality can be a struggle as well. Reviews and company information might give you an insight into the quality. If you’re really concerned, some companies offer a return policy. When you buy a pa on MyHotTub.com, you don’t have to worry about not liking your spa because we offer a 30-day 100% return.

Conclusion

If you’re trying to create a peaceful space to relax after a long, tiresome day, a hot tub can be one of the best tools to help create that space. A hot tub isn’t just for looks, it also provides you health benefits that can create the ultimate relaxation zone. After a long day, you can retreat to your hot tub to recover both physically and mentally. With so many different spas on the market, it can be challenging to find the right spa for you. Luckily, MyHotTub wants to help you find that perfect spa and offers a 30-day 100% return. If the spa you chose isn’t the fated hot tub for your oasis, you can return it. 

We offer multiple spas that have relaxation in mind. Models like our Mesa 26 offer water columns, while other models such as the Valencia 40 offer a waterfall. Both water features can give you a peaceful water trickling sound to enjoy. At MyHotTub, we want to help you build your own paradise. 

The post Create Your Beautiful Backyard with a Hot Tub: The 2023 Guide appeared first on MyHotTub.

The unfortunate thing about hot tubs is some hot tub accessories like hot tub covers can be very expensive. A spa cover can cost anywhere from $100 to $800. For some people, this is the perfect gift, unfortunately it’s a little outside of most gift budgets. A hot tub itself makes a great gift, but is a couple thousand dollars. We’ve certainly seen a hot tub be gifted to some people, but once again, it’s an expensive gift. We’re going to list some great gift ideas for hot tub owners in different budget points so you can find that perfect gift for the hot tub owner in your life.

$5 – $10 Range

If you’re looking for hot tub gift ideas in the $5 to $10 range, a rubber duck makes a great gag gift. Who doesn’t love a good laugh? If your friend has a sense of humor or younger kids, a rubber duck or a couple of them make great gifts. Worst case scenario, if they hate it, it’s the thought that counts. 

$10 – $20 Range

If your gift spending budget is a little higher, you have more options for gifts. Who doesn’t love LED lights on their hot tub? At night you can have a light show in your own backyard. For $10 to $20 you can get a set of floating LED light balls. Oftentimes, these LED balls are color changing as well. Younger kids tend to love these spa accessories and you can use them to throw an awesome hot tub party. 

Another fun gift idea is a set of waterproof playing cards. Some people just want to relax in the hot tub, but others get bored and want something to do. A set of waterproof playing cards allows you to play card games in the hot tub without the cards being destroyed. You can now play games like War, Blackjack, Rummy, Go Fish, and many others.

If you’re looking for more practical gifts for hot tub owners, you can buy a set of test strips for $10 to $20. Hot tub maintenance is required to keep your spa water clean and safe. It may not be the most exciting gift, but a set of test strips is one of the best gifts for hot tub owners. A set of test strips only has so many uses. If your friends, family, or whoever else wants to get years of usage from their hot tub, proper water care is essential. If they’re using test strips, eventually they’ll need more. 

Another option in the $10 to $20 range is hot tub chemicals. For under $20, you can buy hot tub alkalinity increaser or an alkalinity decreaser. These may not be cool hot tub accessories, but they come in handy for keeping your spa water clean and safe.

$20 – $50 Range

As we said above, unfortunately, hot tubs can get expensive. This means some of the best hot tub gifts are expensive. At the $20 to $50 range, you have more options for accessories for hot tubs, as well as practical gifts. To keep a hot tub clean, a filter is a necessary part. Many hot tubs take a 50 square foot filter or a 25 square foot filter. The downside to this gift idea is, you need to know the filter size they require. You can always ask, but there goes the surprise element. Many filters can be bought for $20 to $40 depending on the size needed. 

Just under $50, you can get our drink tray add-on. Some hot tubs come with built-in cup holders now, but it’s not quite standard. This tray provides a flat surface that acts as a drink holder, allowing you to keep a drink nearby when in the hot tub. The unfortunate part of this gift is, our drink tray only connects to certain hot tub models we offer. It’s very unlikely it can work on other brand hot tubs. It uses a simple male female connection that can be easily removed as needed. If the person you’re buying for has a Luna 16, Terra 20, or a Corona 26, our drink tray can be added. We can even match the color of the tray to the spa. There are other drink trays available from other brands that work on other spa models, but many of these are around $60 to $80. There’s also floating trays for hot tubs and pools, but the downside is it’s easy to flip into the water.

Another option is our ice bucket add-on. This too is a male female connection that slides into place and can be removed. This means you can remove the ice bucket, take it inside to fill with ice, and then bring it back outside, assuming you have an outdoor hot tub. This too only works on the Luna 16, Terra 20, and Corona 26 models and requires you to know what spa the person you are buying for has. Like the drink tray, we match the color of the ice bucket to the hot tub. There’s a few other ice buckets available on the market, most of those being around $60. You can always just buy an ice bucket that doesn’t attach to the spa and place it nearby or on the drink tray if you like. A cool idea some people have done is using the ice bucket as a towel holder. Instead of filling the ice bucket with ice, they keep it dry and use it for storage. You can keep bottled drinks in there, a towel, or anything else. 

$50 – $100 Range

For $50 to $100, you can find more options for hot tubs. We offer handisteps for $79.99 (at the time of writing this article). Getting in and out of the hot tub can be a struggle for some people, and this offers assistance in doing so. Luckily, these spa steps work with any hot tub on the market. You can find other step options in this price range, but you’ll find many are over $100. 

You can also find some rather nice hot tub pillows in this price range. Most of these just hang over the side of the spa and do not require drilling or anything. 

You can also start to find some hot tub covers closer to the $100 price point. The tricky thing about hot tub covers is the prices can seriously vary. You can find some as low as $90 and some as high as $1000. A good hot tub cover can last 3 to 8 years depending on usage and how you take care of it. It’s not always the case, but some of these lower priced covers can lack in quality. Just like anyone else, we don’t like spending more than we have to, but investing in a good hot tub cover is worth the extra cost. 

$100+ Range

We didn’t want to include this option in the $50 to $100 range because it requires that it be installed in the making of the hot tub, but for $79.99 (at the time of this article), we can install an ozonater on certain hot tub models we build. If you aren’t sure what that is, you can read more about it here. For our acrylic spa models, you can have an ozonater added for $149.99 (at the time of this article). Adding an ozonater after the hot tub can be done, but requires some work. Because of this, it costs a little more to add after it’s already been built. Many companies will charge anywhere from $100 to $500 for this. 

Another option in the $100 and above category is a spa cover lift. There’s different types of cover lifts and really it comes down to personal preference, but these help protect your cover and aid in opening and closing the hot tub. We offer 3 cover lift options on our website, only 2 of which are in stock at the moment.

As we said above, there’s other spa steps on the market, many of these being over $100. You’ll also find many hot tub covers in the $100 and above category. 

For $100 and more, we also offer a base upgrade and a stereo add on. Our base upgrade provides a sturdy foundation for your hot tub, helps protect it from damage, and adds extra insulation that helps reduce the cost of heating your hot tub. The stereo allows you to listen to music as you soak in the hot tub. 

Conclusion

We provided some great gift ideas for hot tub owners at price points for nearly any budget in this article. If you are thinking about buying a hot tub related gift, we hope we provided you with some good ideas or inspiration at the least.

The post The Top Gift Ideas for Hot Tub Owners appeared first on MyHotTub.

How Many People Do You Want To Fit In Your Hot Tub?

The first thing to consider is: how many people do you want to fit in your hot tub? Hot tubs range in size and seating options. Typically, the bigger the hot tub size, the more people it will fit. This isn’t always the case though. Some spas are bigger just to provide more space and comfort. Most online spa sellers show a “top down” look at the spa. This shows how many seats the spa offers. Spas range from three seats to seven seats with exceptions. A hot tub lounger seat usually takes up the room of two seats. It’s meant for one person to recline in, but two can still fit in the space. For those unsure what a lounger seat is, don’t worry, we have an article explaining it for you. 

If you have a bigger family and you want everyone to enjoy the hot tub at once, you’re going to want to choose a bigger hot tub. If you have a small family, you might want a smaller spa. This will be cheaper than a big spa as well. Although, if you just want more room, you can always choose a bigger spa. Spas typically last 10 to 20 years. If you think you might be expanding your family in that time frame, you may want to consider a bigger spa.

Selecting The Required Options In A Hot Tub

When picking a hot tub size, there’s options to consider that affect the size. Spas are made from either acrylic or resin. Resin spas are typically smaller in size and cheaper than an acrylic spa. Resin spas fit three to six people. Alternatively, an acrylic spa is bigger, more expensive, and fits 5 to 8 people. If you want to know the average size of a hot tub or the standard hot tub size, it’s really hard to say since there’s two types of spas. It’s almost like comparing apples and bananas. When picking a spa, the type you buy affects the size of the spa. 

Choosing A Placement For The Hot Tub

Choosing where to place your hot tub can be a challenge. When picking an area you have to consider:

• Access For Water
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Privacy
• Weight
• And more

If you want to know more about picking the ideal placement for your hot tub, you can read our article on it. It can be heartbreaking, annoying, or just a pain when you picture your hot tub on your deck and it won’t fit or the deck can’t support the weight. When it comes to hot tub size and judging the location you have in mind, there really is no average hot tub size or typical hot tub size. Like we explained, hot tubs are made of different materials, resin or acrylic, and then combined with the seat count, a spa can vary in size. With all the different brands of hot tubs on the market as well, this makes finding an average size of a hot tub difficult. Hot tubs can be any size, three feet by four feet, five feet by five feet, seven feet by 10 feet, and so on. Picking a standard size hot tub and judging if the spa will fit based on that can lead to disaster. The best way to decide if a spa will fit is to get the measurements of every spa you’re considering and compare it to the dimensions of the space you have intended. Having a backup location in mind isn’t a terrible option as well.

Budget

The amount you can or want to spend on a hot tub can greatly affect the spa you pick. You might want a bigger spa and it could be outside of your budget. If price is a concern, some companies or stores offer financing plans. You won’t have to compromise on a different spa than you wanted if you can pay off the difference over time. Most hot tub salespeople are regular, everyday people and understand price concerns. Not everyone can pay thousands all at once and they understand that. That’s the point of a financing plan: to help you get the spa you want and be able to afford it. 

Conclusion

Picking the right sized hot tub is not impossible. Many hot tub sellers list the dimensions and label their hot tubs based on how many people it fits. One thing to keep in mind is hot tubs are sold from a sales perspective. All hot tub sellers want to maximize the size and space of a hot tub, just like a car salesperson likes to talk up the space a car offers. Hot tub sellers are not lying about the amount of people a hot tub fits. Each seat in a spa is designed for one person to fit in it. Depending on the size of the people in the hot tub, this can be roomy or crowded. 

There really is no standard size hot tub in the hot tub industry. The best thing you can do is to measure your intended location for the spa and compare with the dimensions of the spa. If the spa fits the location, the next thing to consider is if it has enough seats for everyone you want in the spa at once. You have to be a little honest with yourself about the sizes of the people in the spa to best judge. If all goes wrong, and not everyone can fit, many places offer a return policy. We wish you good luck in choosing the right spa size and hope you can find a spa you love.

The post How To Pick The Right Size Hot Tub appeared first on MyHotTub.

• Installation
• Access to Electricity and Water
• Privacy
• Weight
• Size
• And more

Ultimately, where you put a spa is up to you. If you ever need to move your spa, it can be a hassle, especially once filled with water. To avoid this, it’s best to know what to consider before picking your desired location. For those who aren’t sure what to consider or where to put their spa, we have made this guide to picking the best placement for a hot tub.

What Kind of Hot Tub?
One thing to consider when picking the location for your spa is: what kind of spa do you want? There’s different types of hot tubs; you have the small inflatable ones, then the next step up is a resin spa, and after that you get the typical acrylic spa. An inflatable spa is the lightest in weight, easy to move, but lacks durability. A resin spa is heavier than an inflatable spa, more durable, has more space, but costs more. An acrylic spa is the most expensive type but offers more features, seating, better heating and jet pressure. The type of spa you get can affect where you place a spa. Our guidelines for hot tub placement apply to all 3 of these types of spas.

Hot Tub Installation
When it comes to installing your hot tub, the placement of your spa can greatly help you. All three types of spas can be heavy, and you don’t want to carry it farther than needed. Depending on the type of spa you buy, size drastically changes. An inflatable hot tub usually comes in a small box and is blown up. A resin or acrylic spa is one assembled piece and is wide. You want to make sure you have enough space and there isn’t a fence, gate, or other items obstructing the path needed to deliver your spa to the location. Some hot tub’s can be very difficult to move where you want them, in fact, some require cranes, forklifts, or other equipment. 

Once your spa is installed, it needs to be filled with water. Making sure you have access to water is important. The last thing you want to do is fill a bucket and keep dumping it into the spa. A spa requires hundreds of gallons of water, and filling the spa this way will take forever. It’s best to make sure you have access to a hose, and that the hose reaches the spa. You also want to make sure your spa has access to electricity. Our electric cords are 10 feet long, but cords can vary in length. You want to make sure the plug can reach an outlet.

Location Considerations
The first thing to consider with your hot tub is the proximity to your home. Hot tubs are used more on cold weather days. The spa is nice and warm, but once you get out, it can be a very cold walk back to the house. If you happen to place your spa indoors, you don’t need to worry. But if you do place your spa indoors, the next consideration is much more important. Making sure the location you picked for your spa can get wet is vital. Sometimes a spa spills water as people get in and out and the water level changes. People getting out of the spa will also drip. A wet floor can rot and cause very expensive issues.

If you’re placing your spa outside, another thing to consider is mowing. You may not think about it, but if your spa is surrounded by grass, you will have grass growing around the edges. If you move your spa, you’ll have a big spot where the grass is shorter and possibly discolored. Additionally, you want to be careful mowing around the spa, so that you don’t shoot grass or rocks at it. 

Aesthetic Requirements
Another thing to think about for your hot tub placement is privacy. You likely don’t want to have your intimate hot tub soak in plain view of your neighbors. You want to create an inviting space, but not that inviting. Many people will create an “oasis” in their backyard. We often see customers place a spa on a patio or deck and it looks amazing. We have also seen spas in gazebos or surrounded by stone, wood, or plants. Your spa is designed to be a soothing relaxing place. Ideally, you want peace and to create your own “piece of heaven”.

Hot Tub Physical Requirements
An empty hot tub with no water still weighs a lot. Once filled with water, it weighs even more. You want to make sure you have a strong foundation for the spa that can support the weight. You also want to pick a flat, steady surface. Without a flat surface, your water is more likely to overflow. Your ground may sound like a flat surface, but one rainstorm can cause your hot tub to sink into the dirt. You also want to measure your space and make sure the spa will fit. Lastly, some hot tubs are a plug and play and work on a GFCI outlet, and others don’t. You want to know what type of outlet your spa requires and make sure one is available. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you know all you need to know about hot tub placement. Whether you place your spa indoors or outdoors, you have factors to consider for finding the best placement for a hot tub. Many spas sold online or instore provide details to help you decide where to place it like:

• Dimensions
• Dry Weight
• Filled Weight
• Electricity Requirements

Many of the other details we outlined are forgotten or never known. You can always move your spa, but it’s very difficult and requires draining and lifting it. We want to help you, and we hope now you can pick the best hot tub placement spot to avoid moving it.

The post How To Choose The Best Placement For A Hot Tub Outdoors? appeared first on MyHotTub.

What Types Of Hot Tubs Are The Most Popular?

Generally speaking, there are three types of hot tubs: inflatable ones, above ground hot tubs, and in-ground hot tubs. Each type of hot tub has its pros and cons, and can make a great home hot tub. For example, an inflatable hot tub and an above ground hot tub can both be moved after placing it. An in ground hot tub is placed and set in a permanent location and would require extensive work and money to move. When deciding on a hot tub, it’s important to consider how likely you are to want to move your spa at some point. 

Inflatable hot tubs are a much cheaper option for a hot tub, spa, whichever you prefer calling it. An in ground spa is the most expensive and requires construction to install. An above ground spa is cheaper than an in ground spa, but more expensive than an inflatable hot tub. The type of spa you want could greatly depend on your budget.

An inflatable hot tub is great for someone new to owning a hot tub. It’s fairly simple to maintain compared to the other two types of hot tubs. However, an inflatable hot tub is known to lack the jet power and heat retention some people desire. Most of these inflatable spas only last a few years as well, and are susceptible to tears or punctures. In ground and above ground hot tubs are much more durable than an inflatable hot tub and last longer. In terms of the ability to move the spa, price, and durability, an above ground spa is the best option. When choosing your spa type, it’s vital to weigh these pros and cons. Once you do this, there’s multiple spa brands to choose from.

How To Choose Between Hot Tub Brands?

There’s many successful hot tub companies that have served thousands of customers. Building incredible spas has been done before, and now many of these brands are focusing on not only the hot tub buying experience, but the after purchase experience as well. These companies are now starting to offer technicians to serve your hot tub, repairs, and other services after purchase. There are many distinguished competitors out there that offer incredible hot tubs for your home like Jacuzzi, Bullfrog, Strong Spas, Cal Spas, and more. When you buy a hot tub, any of these big brand names are great choices.

To decide which brand is best for you, you should consider other factors such as:

• Price
• Quality
• Features
• Reviews
• Delivery
• Warranties
• Return Policies
• And more

Why Do You Want a Hot Tub?

An important thing to figure out before buying a hot tub is: why am I buying this hot tub? A hot tub can be expensive and people buy them for different reasons. You might be buying it simply to relax after the end of the day. Other people buy a hot tub for the health benefits a hot tub gives or to entertain family or friends. A hot requires care as well. The last thing you want is an expensive lawn ornament. You want to get use from your hot tub and make sure buying it was a good decision. In an odd way, a hot tub is like getting a new dog. You should consider:

• Why do you want this?
• Are you willing to care for it?

Select The Hot Tubs Model That Suits Your Requirements

Once you decide the type of hot tub you want, the brand, and figure out why you want a hot tub, it’s time to actually pick the hot tub model. Inflatable hot tubs are usually offered in different sizes, jet counts, and power but lack a lounger seat. Above ground and in ground hot tubs have a set structure to them and can offer a lounger seat. 

Above ground and in ground hot tubs can offer more features than an inflatable hot tub. This makes picking a model even harder. You can decide between jet counts, water features, ozonators, seat counts, and more. It’s important to keep in mind why you want a hot tub here. Make sure the hot tub you pick serves the purpose you wanted it to. 

Conclusion

When choosing a hot tub in 2022, there are many things to consider. As time passes, hot tubs get better and better. Each brand offers hot tubs with different features, sizes, prices, quality, and more. With so many options now, the best thing to do when buying a hot tub is to consider:

• Why do you want a hot tub?
• And what do you want from your hot tub?

If you can answer these two questions, it makes hot tub shopping much easier. People will likely recommend a spa, but ultimately, a hot tub is a personal decision. Do you like having many jets? Do you want to be able to recline in a lounger seat? What works for one person doesn’t translate to everyone. Before buying, figure out your dream spa, then shop for that. And that’s the best way to choose a hot tub in 2022.

The post How To Choose a Hot Tub In 2022? appeared first on MyHotTub.

• Trapping Heat and Lowering Heating Costs
• Protect Your Spa From Damage or Debris
• Prevent Bugs and Animals From Getting in the Spa
• Prevents the Water From Evaporating

A spa cover traps the heat the spa generates, keeping it warm longer than it would with no cover. By trapping this heat, it reduces the energy needed to heat it again later. This in turn reduces your electricity bill. A spa can be expensive to run, and spending additional money to heat it every time is crazy. A hot tub cover also protects your spa from damage or debris. Without a cover, leaves, sticks, and other unwanted items can end up in your spa. A pool has a cover, so why not a hot tub? It’s essentially a very small heated pool. Just like a hot tub cover, a pool cover prevents leaves, sticks, and anything that can fall or be blown into your spa. This can be a pain because you have to clean your pool, but it can also rip the liner, clog the filter, or cause further damage. A hot tub cover prevents you from needing to clean debris out of your spa and prevents items from damaging the acrylic or resin used to make the spa. In addition, a hot tub cover prevents bugs, frogs, mice, or any other unwanted creature from entering your spa. Unfortunately, when this happens, the creatures often die. This can be a very gross sight to see and require cleaning and removal. The final benefit of a hot tub cover is to prevent water evaporation. When water is heated it turns to water vapor and evaporates into the air. While using your spa, this happens. Even when your spa isn’t heating, it’s fairly warm and causes evaporation. You then need to spend money refilling your spa. A spa cover gives the water vapor a surface to hit and collect. It eventually turns back to water and drips down into the spa, saving you water and money. So, is a hot tub cover required? No, but it has some serious benefits. 

Typically, a standard hot tub cover will survive 5 to 7 years. A hard hot tub cover is a newer feature on some hot tubs and can last much longer or even indefinitely. A hot tub cover replacement can be expensive, but a hard hot tub cover can be even more. Both types of covers will accomplish the same goals, but a hardcover will likely cost more and last you longer. There’s a trade-off here. If you’re okay spending more now to save on a hot tub cover replacement in the future, a hard hot tub cover may be the way to go. If not, a standard cover is for you. And eventually, it will need to be replaced. So we made a list of the top 5 signs it’s time to replace your cover.

5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Hot Tub Cover

1. Cover Sags In The Middle
   Some people call this a “sagging cover” and others will call it “cupping”. Either way, it’s when your cover has a noticeable dip in the middle, and it’s weighing the cover down. This is usually caused by rain or snow sitting on the cover and collecting. This weighs it down, and the middle of the cover isn’t supported like the edges of the cover. When the cover is dipping, it will start to pull the corners of the cover up and release heat. This may not seem too bad, but over time, it will make a considerable increase in your electricity bill.
2. Material Torn Or Cracked
   A torn or cracked cover has tiny holes that release heat. This again, can increase your electricity bill. Opening your spa can cause rips or tears to the vinyl or the stitching. In addition, the sun’s UV rays can slowly damage the cover. Depending on the size of the rip or tear, you may have to deal with pests and debris. A hot tub cover holder or cover lift can be a good investment to prevent damage. 
3. An Unpleasant Odor Comes From The Cover
   An unpleasant smell coming from your cover can be another sign it’s time to replace your spa. This is usually mildew or bacteria building up in the cover. Occasionally, it can even just be the spa. The best way to tell is to remove the cover and smell the cover and hot tub separately.
4. The Cover Has Become Heavier
   If your cover has become heavier than it used to be, the most likely cause is waterlogging. This is when the vapor barrier breaks and the cover starts to absorb water. This can reduce its ability to trap heat and cause damage.
5. The Fastening Locks Are Broken
   Even if one of the fastening locks on a hot tub cover breaks, it reduces its ability to trap heat and can increase your electricity bill. Sometimes, you don’t have to buy a completely new cover. If you contact the manufacturer, your straps may be covered by a warranty, and if not, they can usually be replaced. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Hot Tub Cover?

A hot tub cover can range pretty significantly in price. A cheaper cover can sacrifice quality and need to be replaced shortly. Alternatively, an expensive cover doesn’t always mean better quality. A hardcover can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more. A softcover can cost anywhere from $50 to $800 or more. A good or reasonable price on a softcover would be around $250. 

To summarize; is a hot tub cover needed? No, but it can save you a lot of money. A softcover will usually last 5 to 7 years and have some clear signs it needs to be replaced. When the time comes, a new cover may cost $250.

The post How To Know When To Replace Your Hot Tub Cover: Top 5 Signs appeared first on MyHotTub.

We want to help everyone find their dream spa regardless of their spa knowledge. Whether you are looking for your first spa and know very little about what to look for in a spa or you have experience with spas and searching looking for your second or third spa, we have compiled a list of features the best hot tubs possess so you know what to look for.

Lounger VS Non-Lounger

Many hot tub manufacturers make their spas in both a lounger and a non-lounger version. Some of the best hot tub brands offer every model they make in both options, other smaller companies can only offer it on their best selling model. For those that do not know, a lounger is a reclined seat in a hot tub meant for laying down in. A hot tub without a lounger seat is a non-lounger.

Typically, a lounger seat takes up two seats. So by choosing a non-lounger you get one more seat than a lounger model. A hot tub with five seats and a lounger would have seven seats as a non-lounger. Some people get a lounger for comfort but still use the lounge seat as another seat. You might find a spa for sale that says 3-4 seats or 5-6 seats. This depends on the version you get, lounger or non-lounger. Some people will say the lounger seat provides more relaxation, but that is decided by personal preference.

Jet Count

Spas come in various models with different jet counts. Some even offer different types of jets. Some spas can have as little as 28 jets and others have 90 or more. This too comes down to personal preference. Some people love jets and use them every time they are in their hot tub, other people don’t use them at all. Sometimes the number of jets affects the price of the spa as well. When deciding on a spa, you should figure out which you are most comfortable with, more or less jets and how many jets provide you the best relaxation.

Plug and Play

For those who have never heard about plug and play, it refers to the plug used on the hot tub. It gets rather technical and can be hard to understand, but we will try to explain it the best we can. Most states have a safety code on the outlets used in a home to prevent electrocution. The outlet required will trip, cutting off power to prevent injury or death. The name given to these types of outlets is a GFCI outlet, which stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

A GFCI is typically used anywhere an electrical circuit may come in contact with water. This can be kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, outside the home, or anywhere you have it installed. A plug and play spa means the spa uses a special plug that is already set up to be plugged into this GFCI outlet and power the hot tub. A plug and play spa model typically has fewer water features and is cheaper than a non-plug and play hot tub. Many spas without a plug and play require an electrician to wire the hot tub to work on the GFCI outlet or change the desired outlet on the home to fix the spa’s needs.

Portability

Most people buy a hot tub and put it in one spot and it stays there forever. Many people will actually leave behind a hot tub when selling their house because they do not want to transport it. If you are looking for the best portable hot tub option, a plug and play is likely the best choice. These plug and play models are typically resin spas, not acrylic. This makes it lighter in weight than an acrylic model and easier to move. With water in the spa, it can weigh thousands of pounds. Without water, some models can weigh anywhere from 200 pounds to 2,000 pounds or more. The plug and play options are on the lower end of that scale, and typically a standard hand truck you might find at the hardware store can move your spa into place. Most handtrucks, or sometimes called dollies, range from $50 – $500 and can support anywhere from 100 pounds to 1,000 pounds. Some can carry even more.

Size

Hot tubs come in different sizes. Usually, a resin spa has fewer seats and is smaller than an acrylic spa. If you’re looking for the best small hot tub option, a resin spa with 4 or 5 seats might be best for you. If you want to fit 5 to 8 people in a spa, an acrylic spa might be the best option. Nearly all hot tubs will tell you how many seats are included, but like hot tubs, people come in different sizes too. When picking a spa, make sure you have in mind how many people you want to fit and your size.

Additionally, you want to consider the actual size of the hot tub. Not every hot tub is the same size or shape. Some are squares, rectangles, circles, or other shapes. Some spas can be 5 foot by 5 foot, 6 foot by 7 foot, or any configuration. If buying a hot tub online, you can likely find the dimensions of the hot tub and measure your desired space to make sure it fits. If buying a hot tub in person, you can ask for the dimensions of the hot tub or even bring along a tape measure. You don’t want to buy a spa and then have it be too big for your space.

Another thing to consider with size is body size. You may want to fit 1 or 2 people in your hot tub, or you may want to fit 5 or more. People come in different shapes and sizes and so do hot tub seats. Some seats are smaller than others, some are raised higher than others, and some are level benches. A 5 person hot tub will have 5 seats and in theory can fit 5 people, but it depends on the size and shape of those people. Later on we discuss return policies, and this can come in handy if your spa doesn’t fit all the people you wanted it to.

Features

Some people just want a standard hot tub to sit in and relax, maybe a couple jets, other people want more from a hot tub. Some hot tubs now offer water features like sprinklers or columns, waterfalls, or an ozonator. Some other features offered on spas include multiple interior LED lights, exterior LED lights, Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi, built-in stairs, a towel warmer, ice buckets, cup holders, a hardcover, a cover lift system, and more.

Ozonator

Hot tub cleaning and maintenance can be more work than people realize. Like pools, if the water in a hot tub is not properly taken care of, it can become green and create bigger issues later. There’s different chemicals that can be used for cleaning a hot tub, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. To keep your spa clean you need a chemical sanitizer. These chemical sanitizers kill harmful bacteria and keep your hot tub clean. You can use either chlorine or bromine as a cleaning sanitizer for your spa. Many spa companies do not ship chemicals with a spa because they can get damaged in shipping and create harmful fumes. It’s important to safely handle any chemicals and store them in a safe location.

To make caring for a spa easier, the ozonator was created. Ozone is a purifier created in nature by lightning storms and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. An ozonator in a spa is designed to replicate this process. An ozonator contains an ultraviolet light bulb that converts oxygen into ozone. The created ozone is then pushed into the spa through the jets. When the ozone comes into contact with the water, it starts to kill those harmful bacteria, oils, suntan lotion, sweat and more.

An ozonator is not designed to act as your sole means of cleaning your spa. You should still use a chemical sanitizer to help clean your spa, but you can now use less. Using less chemicals can save you money and reduce any skin, eye, or nose irritation. To summarize, an ozonator is a feature on some hot tubs designed to help clean the water and save you money.

Delivery and Installation

This can be one of the biggest decisions when picking a spa. When you buy a spa, delivery is arranged. Very rarely are you expected to transport the hot tub home yourself. Some of these deliveries are curbside only, or they will deliver the spa and place it where you want it. This does not include installation. Installation can be very simple on a plug and play. As stated above, you only need to plug it into a GFCI outlet and it works. However, a non-plug and play model can be more work to install than people thought and installation wasn’t included. When picking the best hot tub for you, this is very important.

Warranties

No one wants to think about it, but eventually your new spa might break down or have an issue. Every brand on the market has a spa break down from time to time. Sometimes it’s only a small issue like a jet or light that won’t work. Other times it’s a huge issue and you just need a new spa. Every company offers a different warranty, and some none at all. It’s nearly impossible to find a spa function perfectly forever. When finding your perfect hot tub, consider the warranty offered.

Financing Plans

A spa can be a big purchase. Some of the best hot tubs offered can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. When you find your perfect spa, it can be upsetting when it’s outside your price range. You might have to make a tough decision and sacrifice features or quality to fit in your budget. Luckily, some of the best hot tub brands offer financing plans to make affording a spa possible. Some of these have low interest and let you gradually pay off your spa. The downside of these plans is a poor one can cost you heavily in interest. It’s important to look at timelines for paying the spa off and the interest so you know what you’re getting into.

Return Policies

When choosing the perfect spa, you should consider any return policies offered by each brand you’re considering. Some of the best hot tub brands can be very expensive, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a costly spa you don’t like and can’t return. Some places might offer a return policy for a given time period. Maybe 30 to 90 days after purchase. Others offer a return for spas only bought online. You might find some brands will only offer a return policy on certain items. To make sure you pick the best spa option, you’ll want to find these policies if you can. Some places are open and honest about their return policies and show them on the website, typically at the bottom of the page. Other places you’ll have to search hard or even call them about it.

Customer Service

Another thing to consider when looking at multiple spa options is the brand’s customer service. Some people believe this is the most important factor of any spa. As much as you may not want to think about it, every spa eventually has issues and you’ll likely need help to solve these issues. Even the top brands can break down over time. Buying from some of the best hot tub brands can be a downside here. Big companies sell many spas and serve many customers. When you call or email their support network, it could take hours or days to hear back. You can often find reviews online that talk about their experience with customer service. You can look at the friendliness of customer service, the wait times, and if their issue was even solved. When your spa eventually has issues, the customer service you receive can make or break your opinion of a company. The most amazing spa can easily become a hassle if you can’t get your issues resolved easily.

Quality Control

This can be a tough factor to find online, but you should know about the quality control of a spa manufacturer. Every product has a defective model here and there, but how do companies prevent that? Some companies have multiple quality control tests to make sure their product is suitable before being sent out to stores or customers and spas are no different. At MyHotTub.com, we have multiple tests done before a spa leaves the factory. This is vital because there could be cracks in the acrylic, missing or damaged plumbing, major leaks, water features that don’t work or other issues. If you get a defective model, you can likely get a replacement, but it’s a factor that contributes to peace of mind. When spending thousands on a spa, you want to know it’s issue free. The last thing you want is to take it home, get excited about enjoying your spa later that day, fill it, and it floods your deck or patio. You then have to call and explain the issue and see what the seller can do. Knowing the spa was tested before it was sent out helps prevent these situations, but they still happen. Despite being able to get a replacement spa, the quality control shows a company stands behind their product and cares about the customer. Maintaining strict quality control also shows a company cares about their reputation and what they’re sending out into the market. Building a brand known for high quality goods builds trust and loyalty. At the end of the day, you want a spa you can rely on for years to come and a company you can trust. You want to be able to call the company easily if you have an issue and know they’re dedicated to solving that issue for you.

Conclusion

After reading our list of features to consider when choosing a spa, we hope you are now  prepared to pick your best option. Sometimes price and reviews play a big part in a decision, but there’s many other factors to consider. Make sure you consider things like:

• Lounger or Non-Lounger
• Jet Count
• Plug and Play
• Portability
• Size
• Features
• Ozonators
• Installation and Delivery
• Warranties
• Financing Plans
• Return Policies
• Customer Service
• Quality Control

Whether you’re an expert on spas or not, we hope we were able to help you in your spa search. There’s many factors to consider when deciding, so the best option is to prioritize which factors matter the most to you. Additionally, not every spa can match your needs. When spending thousands, make sure to do your research and find the option right for you. If you have any questions about this list or searching for a spa, you can always reach out and our Customer Service or Sales staff will be happy to assist you. Good luck in your spa shopping! We hope you find one you can love for years!

The post How to Find the Best Hot Tubs appeared first on MyHotTub.

A hot tub that isn’t taken care of can become unsanitary and grow bacteria. The bacteria can wreak havoc on the PH levels and cause extensive damage to your hot tub. You can leave your spa unattended for up to two weeks if you follow these instructions. If you will not be using your spa for longer than 14 days and a spa maintenance service is not available, we strongly recommend you drain and winterize your spa. Otherwise, these instructions will be good enough.

Lock Your Cover

Always lock your cover using the cover locks if you plan to be away from home and the spa is filled with water. This keeps out unwanted dirt, debris, or pests. Covering your spa also helps prevent children from drowning in the spa. Covered spas will use less electricity in maintaining your set temperature. Additionally, covering your spa will protect your spa’s finish from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Keep The Water Clean

Follow the water quality instructions in your spa owner’s manual. As the owner of a spa, it is important that you maintain your spa water and keep your spa equipment in excellent condition.

Use A Chemical Sanitizer

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. All work well when maintained regularly.

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.

When You Return

When you return, unlock your spa and check the water chemistry. You should then adjust the chemicals according to the water quality. You can now take a vacation and not have to worry about your hot tub. 

The post What To Do With Your Hot Tub When You Take a Vacation appeared first on MyHotTub.

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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