Hot tub water care

Hot Tub Water Care

Making sure your hot tub is clean and chemically balanced is an important part of hot tub ownership. We provide a great range of cleaning products and chemicals so that you can keep your hot tub in tip-top condition.

Remember, if there's anything you are unsure of, just get in touch and we'll be very happy to help you.

Sanitisers: The Heart of Hot Tub Water Care

Every hot tub needs a sanitiser… no exceptions. Sanitisers are the essential chemicals that keep your water clean, clear, and, most importantly, safe to use. Without a sanitiser, bacteria, viruses, and all sorts of unwanted contaminants can quickly build up in your hot tub, even if the water looks perfectly clear. Using the right sanitiser protects you, your family, and your hot tub equipment, making soaking a pleasure instead of a risk.

There are two main sanitisers used in hot tubs, chlorine and bromine. Each does the job slightly differently, so it’s important to understand how they work and which is best for your needs.

Chlorine

Chlorine is the most widely used sanitiser for hot tubs. It’s popular because it works fast to kill bacteria and viruses, keeping your water safe.

Chlorine is known for its classic “swimming pool” smell, and it’s generally the most cost-effective option. Some people find chlorine a bit harsh on their skin, especially in higher doses, and it needs topping up more often because it breaks down quickly in hot, bubbly water.

If you want rapid sanitising power and don’t mind a bit of a pool scent, chlorine is a reliable choice.

Bromine Granules by H2O Hot Tubs

Bromine

Bromine is a gentler alternative to chlorine and is especially well suited for hot tubs that run at higher temperatures. It works just as effectively at killing germs but is less likely to irritate sensitive skin and has a much milder smell.

Bromine remains stable and active for longer periods, meaning you won’t need to top it up as often.

It’s the go-to choice for those who want a softer feel, less maintenance, or simply can’t stand the traditional chlorine scent.

Understanding pH: Keeping Your Water Balanced

pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your hot tub water is. Getting the pH right is just as important as using a sanitiser. If the pH drifts out of the ideal range, it can cause all sorts of problems for both bathers and your hot tub itself.

You want your hot tub’s pH to sit comfortably between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH drops below this range, the water becomes too acidic. This can make your skin or eyes sting, corrode metal parts, and wear out your hot tub’s components faster.

On the other hand, if the pH rises too high, the water becomes too alkaline, leading to cloudy water, chalky scale build-up, and making your sanitiser less effective.

The good news is that keeping pH in check is simple. Just test your water regularly, and if you see the pH slipping out of range, use pH Plus to raise it or pH Minus to lower it.

Balanced pH keeps your water comfortable, protects your hot tub, and helps your sanitiser do its job properly.

Non-Chlorine Shock by H2O Hot Tubs

Non-Chlorine Shock: The Secret to Fresh Water

Non-chlorine shock is a brilliant tool for keeping your hot tub water looking and smelling fresh.

It’s not a sanitiser, but an oxidiser, which means it helps break down things that your regular chlorine or bromine can’t quite tackle on their own - like sweat, body oils, cosmetics, and other organic bits that get left behind after a soak.

By using non-chlorine shock once a week, or after heavy use, you help your sanitiser work better and prevent cloudy water or unpleasant smells from building up. Just sprinkle it into the water with the pumps running, leave the cover off for a little while, and let it do its work.

It’s safe to use alongside both chlorine and bromine, and you can usually use the hot tub again quite soon after adding it.

Keeping up with regular non-chlorine shock makes water care easier and your hot tub experience much more enjoyable.

Hot Tub Foam Away 500ml by H2O Hot Tubs

No-Foam: Quick Fix for Bubbly Water

Foam on the surface of your hot tub water might look fun, but it’s nearly always a sign that something unwanted has sneaked in... like leftover soap, shampoo, body lotion, or detergent from your swimwear.

While foam isn’t dangerous, it can make your hot tub look less appealing and sometimes make the water feel a bit odd.

No-foam, sometimes called anti-foam, is a simple solution. If you spot foam bubbles building up, just add a small splash of no-foam with the pumps running, and you’ll see the foam disappear almost instantly.

Remember, no-foam is a quick fix, not a cure, so it’s best to prevent foam in the first place by showering before you get in, rinsing swimwear thoroughly, and keeping lotions and soaps out of the tub.

If you do see foam, no-foam sorts it right out, so you can get back to relaxing.

Total Alkalinity: The Unsung Hero of Water Balance

Total alkalinity is the behind-the-scenes hero that keeps your hot tub water balanced. It acts like a buffer, stopping your pH from swinging up and down every time you add chemicals or top up your tub. When total alkalinity is in the right range - between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm) - it helps keep your water stable and makes looking after your hot tub much simpler.

If total alkalinity drops too low, your pH can become unpredictable, making the water harder to manage and increasing the risk of corrosion or irritation.

If it’s too high, your pH can get stuck at the high end, which can lead to cloudy water or chalky scale on your hot tub’s surfaces.

The fix is simple. Test your total alkalinity regularly with your test strips. If it’s low, use a Total Alkalinity Increaser (sometimes called TA Plus) to bring it back into the ideal range.

Keeping your total alkalinity spot-on means fewer surprises and a hot tub that’s always ready to enjoy.

  • DO
    • Test water 2–3 times a week (test strips or digital tester).
    • Shower before use (removes sweat, fake tan, deodorant, hair products).
    • Clean your filter every 2–4 weeks.
    • Always add chemicals with pumps running.
  • DONT
    • Don’t use bubble bath, soap, or detergent in/near the tub.
    • Don’t wear freshly-washed swimwear with normal detergent - rinse in plain water.
    • Don’t get in wearing lotions, suncream, or fake tan.
    • Don’t mix chlorine and bromine (stick to one).
  • Cleaning your filter

    If you are regularly using your hot tub, we suggest you clean your filters every couple of weeks. It's a straightforward process using a filter cleaning solution such as our instant hot tub filter cleaner spray. This is a fantastic and very quick way to clean your hot tub filter, as all you need to do is spray the filter all over and leave for 30 minutes. After this time, simply remove by rinsing with a pressure washer or hose. Leave your filter to dry before placing them back in your hot tub. We recommend buying a spare set of filters to switch whilst cleaner your dirty set.

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  • Cleaning your spa shell

    When keeping your hot tub acrylic clean, it's important to use the correct product. Using an incorrect type of cleaning agent could lead to damage of your spa shell. Our hot tub cleaner is specially designed for spa acrylic and formulated with a fresh orange scent to remove scum from the hot tub. It is also great for cleaning your leather insulated cover, used with the Cover Protector this will truly give a great result.

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  • Looking after your hot tub cover

    Although it can be an afterthought, your hot tub cover is actually one of the most important parts of your spa. Not only does it keep garden debris such as leaves, grass and insects out of the water allowing your hot tub to run at it's best, it also retains the majority of heat and keeps running costs down. 

    To look after your hot tub cover we recommend a cover lifting device the main damage is caused by the sun and the changes in temperature from winter to summer. Using a cover protector helps to soften the leather so it doesn't dry out. In addition to that it benefits from a UV protector, which stops sun fading the leather. Treat every 12 weeks and your cover is guaranteed to last longer.

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  • Using your hot tub chemicals

    This includes Chlorine, PH Plus and PH Minus. Using your chemical testing strips will determine which chemicals you will need to add and how much.

    Your testing strips will indicate what your hot tub may be lacking and clear instructions are provided so that you can add these correctly.

    We recommend that you use the hot tub chemicals with great care and make sure you follow the instructions - H2O are happy to provide you with advice and help on this should you feel unsure in any way.

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  • Using your testing strips

    Part of our hot tub chemicals kit are the testing strips. They are simply a strip that has pads for each level needing to be tested. Once submerged in the hot tub water, they will take a few seconds to change colour. After a minute or so, you can see the colour change has taken place and you can then compare the colour of the strips to the coloured squares on the test strip container. 

    If the colour changing pads are the correct colour as indicated on the container then you can continue to enjoy your hot tub straight away. If the colours are different, then it can be easily rectified by carefully adding chemicals into the water in small quantities and testing again until you have the balance right. 

    Shop Testing Kits 
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