It’s no secret that maintaining your hot tub is the least enjoyable part of owning one. It’s a necessary evil, but it’s not so bad once you know what you’re doing. The better care you take of your hot tub, the less maintenance it will require.
A common problem among hot tub owners is cloudy hot tub water. Fortunately, it can be fixed and even prevented. Read on to find out how.
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
Cloudy water in your hot tub is typically caused by a chemical imbalance or tiny dirt particles floating in the water, undetected by the filter. There are multiple possible causes of cloudy water, though; we’ve listed all likely problems, and how to prevent them, below.
Chemical imbalance
To keep your hot tub clean and safe to use, there are certain chemicals you need to use. These chemicals, such as chlorine or bromine, will kill off any bacteria and viruses in the water, and maintain the correct water balance. Chemically imbalanced hot tub water will likely result in issues like discoloured, foamy or cloudy water.
Read more: What Should I Put In My Hot Tub?
Poor filtration
Your hot tub’s filter removes things like dirt and debris from the water. However, hot tub filters don’t last forever, and factors such as overuse, incorrect installation and wear and tear can prevent your filter from doing its job efficiently. A malfunctioning filter can lead to dirty, cloudy water. So, it is recommended that you replace your hot tub filter when needed.
Poor circulation
Stagnant water can quickly become cloudy. If you don’t use your hot tub very often, make sure you run it regularly to keep the water circulating.
Bacteria build-up
Hot tubs can be ideal environments for bacteria and algae to grow if not properly maintained. A build-up of bacteria can cause cloudy water. Sanitising the water regularly will help to prevent this.
Personal hygiene products & detergents
You should always shower before using your hot tub. Any personal hygiene products on your skin can contaminate the water and make it go cloudy. To avoid this, always shower with clean, warm water (no soaps) to remove any leftover moisturisers, make up, deodorants, etc.
Detergents on swimwear may also come off in the water, so giving your swimming costume a quick rinse before entering your hot tub is a good idea too. If you find your hot tub water becomes foamy, it may be as a result of dead skin cells in the water – another reason why a good wash before hot tubbing is important.
Falling debris
When your hot tub is uncovered, it is vulnerable to various pollutants in the air, such as dust, pollen and bugs. When these build up, it will affect the clarity of the hot tub water. To avoid this, replace your hot tub cover as soon as you’re finished using your hot tub. Your filtration system should also suck out debris, so make sure it’s working properly.
How to fix cloudy hot tub water
While there are a lot of possible causes of cloudy water in your hot tub, you’ll be pleased to know that there are nearly as many simple fixes!
To fix cloudy hot tub water you may need to…
- Check the chemicals are balanced - To check if your hot tub water is chemically balanced, you can use test strips. If the results show the levels of one or more chemicals in your tub are incorrect, you can use a pH balancer to get your hot tub back up and running safely.
- Check (and possibly replace) the filter - While it’s the filter’s job to keep your hot tub clean, the filter itself needs cleaning too! Give your filters a regular rinse to keep them working efficiently. You should also deep clean them using a filter cleaner. If that doesn't help, you may need to replace the filter. Hot tub filters tend to last around 1 year before they need replacing. Shop replacement hot tub filters here.
- Use a liquid clarifier – If it’s tiny dirt particles causing the problem, using a fast-acting liquid clarifier can be a quick and easy fix. Simply add it to the water while the pump is running. Then, watch as it collects all the dirt together, making the small particles into larger ones, so that the filter can remove them. Your hot tub water will be crystal clear as a result.
- Shock the water – Shocking your hot tub will remove any bacteria and other contaminants from the water using a high dose of hot tub oxidiser. Regardless of whether your hot tub water is cloudy or not, you should shock your hot tub once a week.
- Drain and replace the water – If all else fails, it might be time to drain the water and refill your hot tub. Depending on how often you use your hot tub, we recommend that you completely drain it at least once every 1-3 months. If you haven’t drained your hot tub recently, it might be the cause of the cloudy water.
How to fix cloudy hot tub water: handy video guidance
If you're more of a visual learner, check out this super handy video guide:
We hope you found this blog useful, and your hot tub water is now clear as a crystal! If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.
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