How to Care for a Jacuzzi Tub

Since jacuzzi cleaning products are expensive, it's tempting to use regular household cleaners. Extend the life of the jacuzzi by properly maintaining the tub surface, filter and hidden plumbing. When using different chemicals and cleaning solutions on your jacuzzi, make sure you are not jeopardizing the terms of your warranty by using non-spa products. Saving a few dollars now might result in large expenditures later.

Things You'll Need:

• dishwasher detergent, powder or liquid
• household bleach
• soft sponge or cloth
• Jacuzzi or spa tub surface cleaner
• filter cleaning solution

Cleaning tub surfaces

Purchase a cleaner at a local pool and spa supply store. The type of cleaner will depend on the material your tub is made from, such as fiberglass or acrylic. Apply the cleaner to the surface and, without scrubbing, allow it to sit for the prescribed amount of time. Wipe away scum and residue from all smooth surfaces with a soft sponge or cloth. Take extra care in wiping the surfaces on the jets. If you have trouble getting the edge of the sponge or cloth into small grooves, use a cotton swab to make sure that no scum or residue remains.

Keeping the hidden parts clean

The manufacturer recommendation is to purge and clean the circulation system every 3 months. This is done by filling your Jacuzzi with warm water and adding about two teaspoons of powdered or liquid dishwasher detergent and half a cup of bleach.

Turn on the Jacuzzi for 2 minutes. Watch the jets to see if anything comes out. That could be a sign of mold in the pipes or other problems. Drain the tub. Fill it with cold water and let it circulate for 5 minutes. Drain the Jacuzzi completely and the 3 month maintenance is finished.

Cleaning the filter

Once a month you should rinse the filter to be sure it is kept clean and working efficiently. A dirty filter will put unnecessary strain on the pump and will allow dirt to circulate in the tub that would normally be filtered out.

Start by removing the filter and spraying water with a garden hose between each of the pleats to remove the larger particles. Use a special spa solution for cleaning the filter. This can be purchased at a local pool and spa supply store. Use the amount recommended in the instructions and soak the filter for the prescribed amount of time. Before replacing the filter, rinse thoroughly.

Note: When cleaning the filter, never use bleach. The filter contains tiny fibers that will disintegrate in bleach and shorten the life span of the filter.

What happens if you neglect maintenance

Every time the tub is used, scum, dirt, skin cells, oils, and other residues build up, not only on the surface of the tub, but also in the mechanical parts the water comes in contact with. These mix with the minerals in the water and form scale deposits. The smooth surfaces that once let the bacteria slide off, now collect the bacteria and give it a place to grow and contaminate the water. The warm, dark plumbing inside the Jacuzzi provides an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms that can cause bladder, kidney, vaginal, skin, respiratory, and eye infections, just to name a few.

Source:

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