Hot Tub & Spa Chemicals Buying Guide

Sanitizing your spa will keep it clean and safe to use. These chemicals are specifically constructed to kill any bacteria and other impurities. There are two main types of sanitizer for spa use.

Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer used in pools and spas. Available in tablets or granules, they are easily added with a built-in dispenser or by putting directly into the water. Chlorine is great for eradication of organics like body oils and sweat, along with controlling algae.

Bromine does the same thing as chlorine in destroying oils and sweat, but with its higher pH level, it is gentler on your skin and swimsuits.

After you add your sanitizer, use your test strips to ensure it is within the suggested levels for each. Chlorine should be a minimum of three parts per million (ppm). Bromine should register between three and five ppm.

Adding shock to your hot tub will help boost the effectiveness of your sanitizer to work longer in keeping the spa water clean. It can also use up any remaining excess chlorine. Like sanitizer, shock comes in both a chlorine and bromine version. Bromine is good for regular maintenance and enables you to use the hot tub sooner. Chlorine is a heavier-duty treatment and is advised to use after a rainstorm (for outdoor spas), when the spa has had many users, or if the water looks cloudy. Liquid shock is simple to use, just pour it in and allow the spa to run for 15 minutes to circulate through the system.

Using the info from your test strips, check the alkalinity levels of your water. Too high or low of an alkaline level can affect the pH levels. Using an alkalinity increaser directly into the water will help restore the proper levels. Baking soda can also substitute for an increaser. Wait about 20 minutes after adding before retesting. Alkalinity levels should be between 100 and 150 ppm.

Too low of an alkaline level can also lower the pH level of your spa’s water. Low pH can cause your eyes to burn and corrosion in parts of the hot tub. Too high of a pH level can hinder the effectiveness of the sanitizer and cloud the spa water. Pour the proper balancer additive directly into the water and wait about 20 minutes after adding before retesting. Correct pH level is between 7.4 and 7.6.

Those that live in an area with hard water know that it can leave calcium residue on faucets and showerheads. While that may be detrimental to interior fixtures, a little water hardness is preferable for your hot tub. Water that is too soft will cause your spa shell to deteriorate faster and also harm the spa’s plumbing parts. A calcium hardness increaser can help make sure the water levels are correct, between 175 and 250 ppm.

Even with proper maintenance, your hot tub water lines can accumulate dirt and mineral deposits. Using a line cleaner periodically can remove gunk and built up dirt like body oils, sunscreens, and cosmetics. Line cleaners are recommended for both indoor and outdoor units and should be used every 3 months or as needed.

A water clarifier can quickly restore your dirty and cloudy water to a crystal clear state. Using a clarifier once a week can keep your spa water looking, feeling and smelling fresh. If you find you need to add clarifier more frequently, you should test the water to find out the culprit causing the cloudiness.

It is recommended to drain and refill your spa with fresh water every 90 days. When you do this, it is also a good idea to do a filter cleaning. A clean filter will help clarify your water and extend the filter life. Filter cleaning is different than other cleaners in that you remove the filter from the spa, rinse it off, and then soak overnight in the solution with about 4 gallons of water. Then remove, rinse off, and replace until time for the next cleaning.