Hot tub sales have increased over the last few years on eBay, as people put their holiday money into creating a gorgeous garden stay-cation at home. However, while the idea is great in theory, there’s a certain amount of cleaning that comes with owning a hot tub that you need to be aware of.

Here are some handy hot tub cleaning tips courtesy of Alison Jones, contributor at GardeningEtc.com to make sure you stay on top of your hot tub maintenance this season.

How to clean a custom hot tub

Immediately after using your hot tub, you should fish out any leaves or debris that has fallen into it. Wipe away any tidemarks that might be evident around the side of the tub with a clean damp cloth. It’s important to check the levels of pH and sanitiser (chlorine or bromine), which kill off bacteria in the water, and make sure they’re maintained. You can do this using a hot tub/pool testing kit.

The pH of your hot tub should ideally be between 7.2 and 7.4. Too low and it will be acidic, which can cause corrosion, too high and it will be too alkaline, letting scale build up and making the water cloudy. Both can irritate eyes and skin and effect the efficiency of the sanitiser, which can affect the tub’s function.

How to clean an inflatable hot tub

An inflatable hot tub is much less durable than a built in design so it should be drained every three to four weeks. When it’s empty, clean the inside of the tub with warm soapy water and a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly with a hose until there are no soap bubbles. The filter should also be cleaned once a week and replaced after a month of use.

Weekly hot tub cleaning tasks

• The skimmer basket of your hot tub should be cleaned once a week to avoid any build up. Turn off the hot tub, unscrew the basket, pull it out and clear any debris that it has captured.
• You should check the pH level of your tub on a weekly basis to make sure it is at a premium.
• Shock dose the water using chlorine shock granules and non-chlorine shock granules. This breaks down chloramines, formed from the sanitiser reacting to things like dead skin and sweat, making the water cloudy. It will also kill bacteria and clear the cloudy water.

Monthly hot tub cleaning tasks

• Every three to four months you should drain the water of your hot tub. Before doing so, put in a pipe cleaning product to let it circulate and flush out the pipes. Turn off the jets and leave the tub overnight. Next morning, unplug your hot tub and let it drain completely. Check your filters. Use a soft damp cloth or sponge to clean thoroughly – if you want to use a natural cleaning product, try distilled vinegar, which is purer than white vinegar.
• Fill your tub with clean water. Turn the thermostat to cold or minimum until after the spa’s filled and the pumps/jets are working properly, then turn your thermostat back to the setting you prefer.
• Balance the alkalinity and pH of your spa water as quickly as possible. This can take a few days. Put in appropriate start up chemicals.

MORE ON HOT TUBS

• 5 of the best hot tubs
• B&M announce Lay-Z-Spa hot tub range for less than £500!
• Lay-Z-Spa: what you need to know