While you could use a hot tub without chemicals, you could not soak safely. Water needs to be circulating and treated in order for it to be good for soaking. When you don't use chemicals in your hot tub or use too little, you are creating the perfect environment for algae, bacteria, and other contaminants to thrive.
You can use vinegar or any acetic acid to clean your hot tub, but we recommend our pH Down for best results. Vinegar is an all-purpose cleaner. From the floors in your home to your favorite coffee cups, vinegar can handle just about any cleaning need.
It is important to remember that hot tub chemicals, like chlorine, help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the water for yourself and others. Using your hot tub without chemicals could turn the water green within a matter of hours, posing a huge safety risk to users.
The alternative to chlorine or bromine. Cleanwater Blue kills bacteria & algae by introducing a copper ion into the water. This mineral disrupts the cell structure and chemical makeup of these organisms, eliminating them in a way that is non-toxic to people or pets!
Bleach as a hot tub shock
Bleach is our #1 choice if you want to bathe chemical free faster. We love this because it is designed to evaporate quickly which means it will do the job and leave. Choose non-scented and without additives. Household bleach will raise the pH level because it has a very high pH of 13.
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. But before you run off and tell everyone that they can get their saltshakers out and dump it into their water, here is what you need to know… In order to use salt water in your hot tub, you need what is known as a salt-water chlorinator.
You typically only need to add salt when you fill the tub! You should only have to add it again every time you drain and refill the tub.
Can Any Hot Tub Use Saltwater? With a little patience and proper guidance, almost any hot tub can use saltwater sanitation instead of chlorine or bromine sanitation methods. You do need to consult with the manufacturer of your hot tub first to be sure.
They are designed to maintain your tub's water long-term and keep your system running smoothly. While using baking soda to give it a little boost is great and done widely by hot tub users of all experience levels, it is not intended as a long-term replacement, just a little helping hand when you're in need.
Shocking a spa means applying an ample dose of chlorine (sodium dichlor) or non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate or MPS). One purpose of this treatment is to break-down organic waste contaminants which cause odor and cloudy water. After treatment, water quality and clarity is often completely restored.
Measure 17g of non-chlorine shock per 1500 litres or 35g of chlorine shock per 1500 litres (consult the label instructions as this can vary based on chemical quality and brand). Carefully add the required shock to the hot tub. Leave the cover off for approximately 20 minutes.
You should use shocking to prevent your water from having a dirty or murky look. Shocking your hot tub removes harmful organic materials present in the water.
Choosing between chlorine and bromine for your hot tub
But how do you pick between chlorine and bromine? You should pick the product that works best with the filtration system. For While bromine can be a suitable alternative for those with sensitive skin, chlorine is best for Master Spas owners.
Chlorine is preferable over other treatment options for a variety of reasons: It is more affordable and cost effective. Chlorine hot tubs require less upkeep and last longer than salt water hot tubs. Chlorine achieves the cleanliness and oxidation levels that other chemicals and methods do not.
Why is my hot tub's pH low? Many things can lower the pH in your hot tub: You might have added too much pH reducer in an attempt to lower the pH of your hot tub. Your local water source may have a low pH, this may be the culprit if you are continually having to add pH increasing chemicals.
To raise or lower the pH level in your hot tub, test the hot tub's current pH level and then add the appropriate amount of FreshWater® pH/Alkalinity Up or FreshWater® pH/Alkalinity Down to the water. Repeat the process as needed until your hot tub has reached the correct pH level of between 7.2 and 7.8.
Hot tubs in particular generate a lot of bubbles and tend to have higher temperatures. This combination creates a gas called carbon dioxide very quickly. Carbon dioxide builds up and makes the pH go up. This is why hot tub owners, on a regular basis, need to add something to lower their pH and alkalinity.
Conclusion. In most cases, you should never add pure Epsom salts to your hot tub. Despite this warning, if you still want to try, just be sure to drain and thoroughly clean the hot tub immediately after you're done soaking. This will help to avoid long-term damages to your spa.
If you need to change the water, do so in small batches. Remove 6″-12″ of water at a time; refilling – and reheating – the water in between these partial drains. While this won't get you the same results as completely draining and refilling the hot tub, it will get you by until the weather warms up.
Chlorine works faster to kill contaminants but for a shorter period of time, as it dissipates faster. Bromine kills contaminants more slowly but for a longer period of time; plus, it can help keep water chemistry more balanced due to its low pH, meaning less chemical adjusting is needed.
Essential oils aren't designed for use in hot tubs, so unfortunately they cannot be used inside a spa. These products can cause a myriad of problems to a hot tub's filtration system. Essential oils act the same way the oil that comes from our skin does, but more potent.