Hot tub filter cleaner: when, why, and how to use it
The filter is an essential part of the way your hot tub works. Keeping yours clean and healthy keeps your ‘tubbing experience clean and healthy too. Hot tub filter cleaner plays a big role in that.
But it’s not quite as simple as throwing some cleaner in the tub and hoping for the best.
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right filter cleaner for your hot tub and how, why, and when to use it.
How Do Hot Tub Filters Work?
Your hot tub filter is part of your tub’s circulation system. The pump draws in water from the tub and pushes that water through the filter to clean it before expelling it back into the tub again.
If you were to look inside your filter, you’d see row upon row of pleated paper that’s designed to catch the dirt and grime and filter the water as it passes through.
The filter doesn’t only clean the water. It also keeps debris away from your pump and heater. Getting any detritus in either of these key components can result in an expensive repair bill later down the line.
Because the pump and filter system tend to be working at all times though, a filter can get dirty relatively quickly. That’s why it’s important to keep yours clean.
What’s the best way to clean hot tub filters?
The best system for cleaning your hot tub filter is to rinse weekly, clean fortnightly, and then do a deep clean roughly every quarter:
- Weekly rinsing – aim to rinse your filter once or twice a week.
- Fortnightly cleaning – use filter cleaner to properly clean your hot tub filter every two weeks.
- Seasonal deep clean – you’ll want to change and replace the water in your hot tub every three months.
It makes sense to remove, rinse, soak, and use cleaner on your filter again at the same time.
How Often Should You Clean A Filter In A Hot Tub?
There isn’t a hard and fast rule for how often you should clean a filter in a hot tub.
Every two weeks is the general guideline, but if you use your hot tub a lot or you’re in a very hot climate or time of year, you’ll want to clean it more often.
You can also give your hot tub filter a helping hand by making sure you have a shower before you hop in your tub. This removes most of the natural oils, soap, shower gel, shampoo, and other health and beauty products we humans tend to be covered in, meaning your filter has less work to do.
How Often Should You Replace Your Hot Tub Filter?
Cleaning your hot tub filter is vital, but even a very well-maintained filter won’t last forever. You’ll probably need to replace your hot tub filter at least once per year.
Again, in warmer climates or if your hot tub sees heavy use, this will likely need to happen more often. You can tell when your filter needs replacing when:
- It’s so dirty that cleaning doesn’t bring it back to a good condition anymore
- There are obvious signs of wear or damage
- Water no longer runs through the filter smoothly (or at all)
Remember that even when your tub isn’t seeing a lot of use, if it’s turned on the pump will still be cycling water through the filter. That’s good – it’s keeping your water clean. But it does mean the filter is still needing to work.
But also bear in mind that filters are designed to protect the expensive pump and heater components of your tub. Conversely, filters are relatively cheap and designed to be replaced. All the while your filter is clean and working well, it’s protecting your wallet too.
How Do I Clean Hot Tub Filters?
- Rinse – your filter clean with high-pressure water.
- Dry and shake – let your filter dry out and knock loose any debris caught in it.
- Submerge – fill a bucket or other container with water and submerge your filter.
- Filter cleaner – choose the best filter cleaner for hot tubs like yours and add to the water following packaging instructions. Click here to view hot tub filter cleaner on Amazon:>>
- Remove and rinse – once your filter cleaner has done its work, remove your filter and rinse it with clean water.
If you can’t wait for your hot tub filter cleaner to do its work, all you need to do is have a spare filter ready to go. You can then alternate them, switching in the clean spare while the other is being soaked. Job done!
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