A lot of people want to hit the waters during summer. Although one popular way to do this is by going for a swim, why not just soak instead? There’s no better feeling than relaxing in a nice, warm, bubbling hot tub! Not only are they relaxing in a sensory way, but there a many health-related benefits to soaking in a hot tub regularly.
If you have an inflatable hot tub at home, you know what we are talking about. You can crack open a bottle of wine and relax in your tub after a long, difficult, and stressful day to get rid of those bad feelings!
However, having a hot tub means taking care of it too. So when you host a party, you won’t be caught off guard if there’s a funny smell emulating from your tub. As with any outdoor furniture, mould and mildew are common, and your hot tub is no different. So here’s how to clean mould from an inflatable hot tub so that you can enjoy it all year round.
The Problem With Mould
Remember that while you can still get all the advantages of a traditional hot tub in your inflatable hot tub, you will also experience the maintenance needs that come with it. When bacteria and dirt accumulate, mould will start to grow. Algae, mould and mildew are common issues that can infect a hot tub. But fear not, they are easily managed and removed.
Algae
Algae is a type of plant. Algae growth occurs in areas that receive an abundance of moisture, sunlight and heat, such as an inflatable hot tub. If humans ingest certain species of algae, it can be damaging to their health. Therefore, it is important to prevent growth altogether.
Mould and Mildew
Mould and mildew are just two of many forms of harmful bacteria damaging various objects. Mould and mildew are microorganisms and, when seen, take the appearance of stubborn stains that can range from green to yellow. So not only are they unsightly in your inflatable hot tub, but they can be bad for your health, too.
Why Should You Clean Your Hot Tub?
If you see floating white slime in your inflatable hot tub, it results from an intense infestation of these organic substances. Algae, mould, mildew and many forms of bacteria, in general, can reverse the health benefits that you would have received from soaking in the warm spa water of your inflatable hot tub. You wouldn’t sit in a dirty bath, so you shouldn’t soak in a dirty hot tub either.
Cleaning a Hot Tub
It is important to keep your hot tub clean. There is more than one way to go about keeping your hot tub in tip-top condition. Here are a few tips on getting rid of hot tub algae, mould, and mildew to enjoy a spa-like experience in your inflatable hot tub.
Water pH Levels
One way to ensure bacteria does not infect your spa experience is by keeping your hot tub water pH levels in check. For example, you may have noticed that the hot tub water becomes slimy and dark. This could be caused by a chemical imbalance in your hot tub. The ideal spa water pH level should be between a minimum of 7.4 to a maximum of 7.6. A proper water care system can help you achieve this perfect PH level amount in your hot tub.
You can buy stain tests to check the pH levels of your water and then top it up with the required chemicals. For example, if the pH is too low, you will need to add an alkali, whereas if the pH is too high, you will need to add an acid.
Deep Cleaning
If the mould and mildew in your hot tub become too much to clean, it will probably be beneficial to drain the water completely. If you do need to drain your hot tub, follow these quick and easy tips. Be sure not to use any abrasive brushes as they could damage the walls and affect their ability to hold such a large volume of water.
Step 1: Drain All of the Water
First, drain all of the water out of your hot tub. To do this, you can locate your water drain or drainage valve on your hot tub.
Step 2: Clean the Interior
Once your hot tub is empty of all of its water, wipe down the interior of your hot tub. You can clean the interior of your hot tub this way by using a soft cloth or a soft-bristled scrubbing brush with some soap and water. You can also buy commercial spa cleaners to help with stubborn stains. However, do not use anything too abrasive, as you wouldn’t want to damage your hot tub.
Step 3: Clean the Filters
Next, after you have cleaned the interior of your tub, use a soft cloth to clean your filter pump and any other filters your tub may have.
Step 4: Clean the Jets
Once all of your filter pumps have been cleaned, take your cleaning tools and clean the jets of your tub.
Step 5: Clean the Exterior
Repeat the process as you did for the interior, and clean the exterior of your hot tub. Again, be sure not to use anything too abrasive that may affect the integrity of the machine. You do not want to cause holes to prevent it from staying inflated or impacting its ability to hold water.
Step 6: Refill
After this, you can put back all of your clean filters and clean jets and refill your tub full of clean water. Remember to add the required chemicals to balance the pH of the hot tub water and reduce the risk of limescale and bacteria.
Natural Cleaning Solutions
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals for cleaning, you can use more natural cleaning products. These include baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar has a lot of antimicrobial and deodorising properties, so it makes a great household cleaner.
Vinegar is an acid. Therefore it reacts and gets rid of mould. Apply generously on stains and wipe them away with a soft cloth. You can leave it for up to an hour for stubborn stains and then wipe and rinse the tub afterwards.
For general cleaning, you can dilute it with equal parts of water and use it as you would a normal cleanser. Always be sure to rinse your tub thoroughly after applying the vinegar and before refilling the tub.
Replace the Filters
Filters and jets can only take so much action before they become old and worn out. When filters and jets become too old and too worn out, they stop cleaning the water circulating through them. This means that the filters and jets don’t filter out debris. This debris remains in the water, causing stains and encouraging the growth of bacteria.
Therefore, it is important to thoroughly clean your filter cartridges so that they can give you a worthy spa experience for as long as possible. But first, it is essential to check your filters and replace them when necessary. Most filters will let you know how often they will need to be changed.
Can I Use Bleach in My Inflatable Hot Tub?
Although you may be tempted to attack the stains in your hot tub with household bleach, we do not recommend this. Unlike the bleach in specialist hot tub cleaners, household bleach is unstabilised and incredibly corrosive. You could do a lot more damage than good if you use too much or let it sit for too long, which can be devastating to the integrity of your tub.
How to Keep Your Inflatable Hot Tub Clean
The best way to prevent a build-up of bacteria is to take care of your hot tub in the first place. You can do several things to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould daily. Cleaning your hot tub is an essential part of having a spa in your garden. However, how often you have to deep clean can be greatly reduced by these following tips.
Cover It Up
These harmful forms of organic substances occur when sunlight interacts with a damp and heated environment. As most people have theirs outside, this means that their hot tub is exposed to sunlight regularly. When you cover your hot tub, you are blocking the sunlight from the water.
You can do this by using a hot tub cover. Your hot tub may come with a hot tub cover. However, if this isn’t the case, you can buy one for a reasonable price. Keeping your tub covered is key.
Remove Debris
Any leaves or large debris that falls inside your hut tub is another source of bacteria. Remove these items immediately, and you prevent the growth of mould. Any dirt in your inflatable hot tub will only add to the problem.
Shower First
Our bodies are covered in not only germs and bacteria but also natural oils. On top of that, we often apply moisturisers, lotions, and cosmetics to our hair and skin. Showering before you jump into the hot tub will reduce the build-up of oils in the water, which can create a dirty water line.
Scumbag Sponges
Throw in a couple of Scumbag sponges, and they will help absorb any oils or scum floating on the surface of the water. This will not only improve the appearance of your water but the smell too.
Check the Chemicals
As we have spoken about previously, the pH of the water is vital in ensuring that your inflatable hot tub remains clean and odour-free. You can buy many chemicals and tests to ensure that the balance is correct. If the chemicals are not in balance, they could make you sick or cause a reaction to your skin. So check each time you will get into the tub to ensure no changes need to be made.
How Often Should I Clean My Hot Tub?
This number will vary greatly depending on how often you use it, how many people use it, and how much care you take to keep it clean. For example, if only two people use it once or twice a week, then you will have to clean it less regularly than if the whole family uses it every day.
Keep on top of the little things like removing debris and showering before use, and you may only have to empty it once every few months. However, if you don’t take care of the water and the tub, every few weeks may be more realistic.
Storing Your Inflatable Hot Tub
The great thing about inflatable hot tubs is that you can store them away throughout the winter or when you need more space in your garden. If you think it is time to put your spa away for a little while, it is important to store it correctly.
Always clean the tub thoroughly before long-term storage. After cleaning, leave it outside to dry properly before deflating; any moisture can cause mould and mildew to grow, which will be even harder to remove next season.
Once it is completely dry, including the pumps and pipes, deflate it and take your time to fold it carefully. Keep it somewhere safe and dry, where it will not rip or be chewed by mice.
Keep Your Hot Tub Clean and Safe
Now you know how to clean mould from an inflatable hot tub. But, of course, there is no reason to be sitting in a hot tub that is anything less than sparkling. Mould and mildew are not only unsightly but are bad for your health, too.
Be sure to shower before enjoying your hot tub, remove debris, and replace the filters regularly, and you may not need to empty and deep clean your tub as regularly. However, it would help if you still made a schedule to clean your hot tub and check the pH and chemical balances often to ensure it is a healthy environment for your soaking.
Hot tubs are intended to be a relaxing environment, but you need to take steps to ensure it stays that way.
Do you have other tips you would like to share with others when cleaning an inflatable hot tub? We’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comment box below!
