Clean hot tub water doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few easy habits and the right products, you can enjoy crystal-clear water and a relaxing soak any day of the week. At The Hot Tub Store, we’re here to help you keep things simple and enjoyable.

Here are our top tips for effortless spa care, plus where to find the best hot tub supplies to make maintenance a breeze.

Start with Spa Basics: Circulation and Filtration

Your spa’s circulation system is the foundation of clean water. Running the pumps for a few hours each day helps move water through the filters, removing debris and distributing hot tub chemicals evenly.

Make sure your spa filter is clean and in good shape. A dirty filter won’t catch contaminants efficiently, so rinse it weekly and deep-clean it monthly. If your filter is over a year old, it may be time for a replacement. You can grab new filters at any of our store locations—or order them directly from our website for quick delivery.

Consistency is Key: Test Your Spa Water Regularly

The easiest way to avoid cloudy or unbalanced water is to test it a couple of times each week. You’ll want to keep an eye on pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.

We recommend using test strips to get quick, accurate results. If the numbers are off, adjust with the appropriate hot tub chemicals. For example:

• Low pH? Use a pH increaser.
• High alkalinity? Add a little alkalinity decreaser.
• Not enough sanitizer? Boost with granulated chlorine concentrate.

Shock Weekly to Keep Things Fresh

Even with good filtration and steady sanitizer levels, your water can still build up invisible contaminants like body oils, lotions, and sweat. Shocking your spa breaks down these organic compounds and restores water clarity.

We suggest shocking your spa water at least once a week, or more often if you’re soaking frequently or using the spa with guests. Use a chlorine or non-chlorine shock, based on your sanitizer system. Not sure what’s right for your spa? Your local hot tub dealer (that’s us!) is happy to help.

Rinse Before You Soak in Your Spa

Here’s a tip that many spa owners overlook: a quick rinse in the shower before stepping into the spa can go a long way. It keeps things like makeup, hair products, and sunscreen from clouding up your water and forcing your sanitizer to work harder.

Encourage guests to rinse too—your hot tub will thank you.

Drain and Refill Every Few Months

Even with perfect water care, your spa will need a fresh start now and then. Plan to drain and refill your spa every 3–4 months or as needed (saltwater spa systems may be able to go longer between drain and refill). This helps flush out build-up from hot tub chemicals and keeps your system working efficiently.

While your spa is empty, take a few minutes to wipe down the shell and clean out the jets. You can even use a spa system flush beforehand for a deep internal clean.

Stock Up on the Right Hot Tub Supplies

The right tools make all the difference. At The Hot Tub Store, we carry:

• Hot tub chemicals for every type of water system
• Filters and filter cleaners
• Test kits and strips
• Water care accessories like floating dispensers and maintenance tools

You can shop for everything online at hottubstore.com or stop by any of our stores to talk to a member of our team. We’re your go-to hot tub dealer for all things water care.

Let Us Help You Keep It Simple

Water care doesn’t have to be a chore. When you work with a trusted spa dealer like The Hot Tub Store, you’ll always have expert advice, top-quality hot tub supplies, and convenient shopping options.

If you ever have questions, give us a call or stop by—we’re happy to help you enjoy your spa to the fullest. If you want the water taken care of for you, we also offer regular water care maintenance services to make your soaking even more carefree.