Looking after your hot tub cover

A proper and diligent spa cover care routine can certainly be the difference between you needing to buy another cover in 3-4 years instead of it lasting 5-7 years. Here are some tips to get the most out of your new spa cover purchase.

Buying a high-quality hot tub cover is an investment, but without the right maintenance, covers can start to fail within as little as 3 years. By giving your spa and cover the care they deserve and by following a simple, proactive care routine, you can increase that lifespan to 7 years or more.

Here is our expert advice on protecting your cover from chemical damage, water logging, and environmental wear.

Give it a break

Once a week, fully remove your cover. This gives any water that has started to build up on it, or in it a chance to drain out. 

Give your cover a clean

Remove any chemical residue built up by giving the cover a wipe. If left on the cover, chemical residue can start to break down the material causing it to become porous. Once the material starts to degrade, water vapor can get in and start soaking into the foam. This makes the cover heavy, reduces how well it can insulate (water is a great conductor of heat) and can break down the foam. Dedicated cover wipes make this quick and easy.

Use a mild detergent and water solution to clean the cover every couple of weeks. 

Maintain a healthy water balance

Arguably maintaining good water chemistry is the most important advice here. With well balanced water, any vapor that contacts your cover is less harmful and has a smaller corrosive effect. This reduces the speed of any degradation and means the fabric can protect your spa and the foam inside for longer, ultimately extending the cover’s life. Not maintaining good water chemistry may also invalidate the warranty. 

Cleaning inside the cover

A couple of times a year, we recommend you unzip the cover and clean just inside the zipper. Mildew has a tendency to build up her. If you have not kept your sanitiser levels up you may develop this as a problem. 

Flip your cover

Just like a mattress, covers can be flipped to extend their life. Most covers can be unzipped so you can remove the insulating foam. Take the foam out, and flip it over to reduce water exposure to the same side all the time. We suggest you do this once a year. Doing it when you have your hot tub or swim spa serviced can act as a great reminder.  

Let it breathe – release any gas

When you shock your water, remove the cover completely and leave it off for  around 20-30 minutes. This gives gas produced when using high doses of chlorine or bromine to escape. Not fully uncovering or putting the cover straight back after shock dosing would allow these gases to build up underneath and degrade the material. 

Take the cover off while using your hot tub

Always completely remove the cover when using your hot tub. It should never be only half opened when using your spa. This protects the cover from extra water build up. It is not safe to leave the cover on when you’re in a hot tub. It can allow gases to build up and restricts your ability to move around. 

When taking your cover off it’s really important to do it evenly to avoid putting unnecessary stress onto the seams and folds. Ideally on medium and larger hot tubs, this should be done with two people. Using a cover lifter can also be a great way to reduce strain on the cover as it moves, as well as protecting the fabric by keeping it off the floor. If you don’t have a cover lifter, using a cover caddy (also known as a cover stand) can safely store the cover and avoid the outer material from being damaged when moved on the ground. 

Turn off fountains and waterfalls

Extra protection

How to clean mold & mildew

Mix two gallons of water, a teaspoon of mild dishwashing soap, and one cup of bleach. With a soft bristle brush, scrub the inside of the cover thoroughly. Then take a wash cloth and wipe down each foam core. Rinse both well. Place the encasement in the sun and the foam cores in the shade to dry. Once everything is dry, spray the cores and inside the encasement with a mildew inhibitor. Allow all to dry completely, then reassemble.

Time to replace?

Sometimes it’s obvious when to replace a cover as the fabric wears or seams start to fail. However, if you find your cover is heavy or not insulating very well it might also be time to replace it. A heavy cover is a good indication that water has penetrated into the foam and the cover is no longer doing it’s job of insulating your spa.

If you do need to replace your cover, contact our team, we can help advise on getting a replacement cover from your spas manufacturer, or support you to get a cover made to measure to perfectly fit any make and model hot tub or swim spa.