How to Refresh Your Stinky Hot Tub

Let’s face it: Relaxing in your hot tub is not pleasant when it smells like someone released a stink bomb. Why do some hot tubs stink? What can you do to correct it?

Foul smelling spas have bacteria hiding in them somewhere. Let’s have a look at the most common stink culprits and how to destroy them.

 

Filters

Your hot tub filter has a big job, arguably the most important job in the whole tub: It collects all the yucky debris and other “stuff” that gets into your water. As it turns out, that yucky debris and other “stuff”, coupled with warm water conditions is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

We recommend rinsing the filter once a week, deep cleaning the filter at every water change with a Filter Cleaner, and replacing every other year.

Some owners will have 2 sets of filters that they will switch out every water change to allow them to properly soak and deepclean between uses. 

Water

Taking proper care of your water chemistry should be on the forefront of every spa owners mind. A sharp or sour smell from the water indicates a low pH condition. A musty or stale smell indicates an overly high pH.

What’s involved in water care anyways?

• Balance – Aim for water pH between 7.2 – 7.6, and total alkalinity between 80 – 120ppm.
• Sanitize – Most hot tubs work best with bromine. Bromine isn’t a dirty word, despite what some may say. Properly maintained, bromine gives off no smell in a hot tub. Shoot for 4 – 6ppm bromine.
• Shock – Shocking breaks down organic waste contaminants that cause odor and cloudy water. Shock your water after each use, and weekly regardless of use.

Even if you’re careful and take pretty good care of the water, you can find yourself late to the bacteria party.  Remember, only you can prevent gross water.

 

Spa Cover

The primary function of a spa cover is to retain the heat of the water. Therefore, the cover is under constant attack from steam.

The water molecules in steam have a way of exploiting any imperfection in the cover, collecting in the outer jacket and ultimately the foam. 

Of course, where water collects and is not sanitized, bacteria grows, and you get stinky-ness.

Keeping good care of your cover is best, but once it gets to the point of being overloaded with water and condensation, it might be best to look at replacing it. 

 

Plumbing

Body oils, lotions, soaps, skin cells, sweat and other nasties just love to cozy up into your plumbing. That seems like the worst possible scenario, right?

Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to flush all that gunk out of your plumbing when it’s time to change the water. A Jet and Tub line rinse super-cleans the hidden inner pipes, pumps, hoses, and jets of a spa quickly and easily.

You’ll be amazed at the volume of crud that comes out of the plumbing of even a well maintained tub!

Hot tubs are great for relaxation and soothing sore muscles, but they must be kept in top shape or you're looking at more hard work in the long run! Check out our posts for more tips on maintaining your hot tub!