Step by step hot tub water care guide

Owning a hot tub should be about relaxation, not a chemistry degree. We get it—nothing ruins a planned spa session like lifting the cover to find your water needs some attention. But keeping your spa pristine doesn’t have to be a chore.

The secret to a long-lasting hot tub and clear, safe water isn’t about working harder; it’s about consistency. By following a simple, rhythmic maintenance routine, you can protect your skin, save money on chemicals, and ensure your spa is always ready and safe to use. You’ll find it becomes second nature in no time.

Whether you’re a new owner with a fresh starter kit or a seasoned relaxer looking to streamline your process, this step-by-step hot tub water care guide breaks down exactly what you need to do. We’ll cover what to check after each use, and then what to check every few days, each week, month, three months and year.

After Every Use

We recommend adding 1/2 a scoop of Non-Chlorine Shock up to twice a week, to activate any free chlorine or bromine, therefore saving you money and keeping your water clear. This isn’t included in your stater kit, but is a nice to have.

TOP TIP: To prolong the lifespan of your headrests, we recommend removing them after each use. This limits how much they’re exposed to the chemicals in your water and gives them a chance to dry out. Most head rests simply pop off, and quickly pop back in again when it’s time to use your hot tub.

Every 2-3 days

Check pH Levels are at 7.2 and adjust accordingly. This is to protect your spa, skin and ensure your sanitiser works effectively.

Check Alkalinity levels are between 80-120 and adjust accordingly. This is the buffer for your pH, so if it’s not in range, your pH is less likely to remain stable.

Add your chosen Santisier (Chlorine/Bromine) if required to ensure levels are between 3-5.

TOP TIP: When adding sanitiser, do not replace the cover for at least 10 minutes. This allows the initial gas to escape. This reduces the chemical wear on your cover, and out the water components around your spa.

TOP TIP: Test strips are the most common way people at home test water chemistry. They’re a quick and cost effective way to check your water is balanced, but they’re not perfect. Poor quality strips are prone to giving inaccurate readings. We always recommend using high quality test strips to ensure best accuracy. It is also important to follow the instructions about how long to dip them for and how long to wait before reading as the colours develop and change over time. The differences in colour can also be subtle so look carefully in good light.

We only sell products we’d personally recommend, you can find the test strips we use ourselves here.

Weekly

Remove your filter(s) and clean with Instant Filter Spray and rinse well with fresh water. A clean filter performs better and will keep your tub running optimally for longer.

Clean the water line are your spas shell with a Dura Mitt or microfibre cloth.

Top up the sanitiser dispenser if you are using one. If you’re not we would recommend you do. They are by far the easiest way to dose your spa and maintain an constant level of sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) in your water. Various types are available including floating dispensers and in line dispenser which fit inside your filters (depending on your make and model).

Add Anti Scale & O-Care.

TOP TIP: Let your filters dry. We suggest you have a spare set of filters and alternate them. This means you can put a clean filter straight into your hot tub so no debris circulates while you clean. This also allows the filter to fully dry after cleaning before placing back in the spa which resets the filter fibres and kills resilient microorganisms

Monthly

Deep clean your filter, or filters. To clean, remove your filter, or filters. Soak filters overnight in some filter granules. A dedicated filter cleaning bucket can make the task easier by being the perfect shape and size for filters, reducing mess and chemical use.

TOP TIP: Download the O-Care App for handy hints and hot tub care reminders.

Quarterly

Use a dedicated hot tub cleaner (often referred to as ‘flush‘) before draining the spa. This helps clean inside your hot tub where you can’t see. Then rinse shell and refill.

When you refill it is important to do so through the filter housing, with the filters out. This minimises the chances of creating an air lock in the system.

We recommend using a Purestream pre-filter when filling your spa, especially in hard water areas, to help fight scale build up.

TOP TIP: Remove your filters whilst running the flush through the system to allow it to pass through the pipework effectively.

Annually

It is time for your Annual Service, to prolong the life of your spa and maintain the warranty.

At the end of the day, hot tub water care doesn’t have to be a complex chore, it’s all about staying consistent. By spending just a few minutes each week on these simple steps, you aren’t just keeping your water sparkling; you’re protecting your investment and ensuring your home spa remains the stress-free sanctuary it was meant to be. Save this guide, keep your test strips handy, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a perfectly balanced soak!