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10 Things You Should Always Do Before Your Hot Tub Soak

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The installation of a hot tub can offer you an unbelievably fun way to relax. The stars are out, the water is warm, and everything is so perfect that you might just want to extend your hot tub soak forever.

Installing and regularly using a hot tub comes with many excellent benefits. Of course, while your social and family life will be improved by owning a hot tub, the health benefits can also be significant.

Not only that, but hot tubs can also create the perfect space for your family, which is why it is so essential to maintain them properly. Regular care and preventative maintenance of the spa area help keep it safe and fun.

Fortunately, modern hot tubs are easy to operate, and if you follow the guidelines, your spa environment will stay happy and healthy.

Here is a list of 10 things you should always do before getting into your hot tub.

1. Rinse-Off

Rinsing off before your hot tub soak in the hot tub can be beneficial for a couple of reasons. For starters, you are about to enter a shared space with others. As a courtesy to your family and friends, rinsing off before getting in the hot tub can help to create a cleaner environment. Wash away sweat, oil, soap, dirt, and any other debris that may have landed on your skin and hair throughout the day.

Rinsing off before you use the hot tub can also help to keep your hot tub water clean. While the UV-C and Ozone Water Management Systems work hard to keep the water clean, safe and enjoyable, this practice offers preventative care for your spa.

2. Tie Up Your Hair

Hot tubs can do wonders for our hair and skin. The improved circulation brought about by hot water can reduce the amount of natural oils we secrete, which means, for example, we need to wash our hair less. Experts in the beauty industry have been telling people for years that frequent washing can unbalance our natural oils.

So, when your hair is looking so great, it’s only natural that you’ll want to keep it down and show it off. However, it’s good hot tub etiquette to keep it tied up.

Most of us shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day. If hair is not tied up, some of these hairs will fall out and get into the water. While this won’t be a major annoyance to most people, it can get into the filter. If this happens regularly, it will build up and then clog the filter. To keep your filters at their most effective and improve their longevity, it’s best to not put them under too much stress.

Additionally, hot tub sanitizers typically contain chemicals like chlorine and bromine, which are great for keeping the spa environment safe and clean. However, they can dry out hair during extensive exposure. For many people, this is enough to motivate them to tie their hair up in a bun or even use a shower cap.

3. Use a Test Strip to Check the Chemical Balance

To ensure your hot tub water is just right, you need to stay vigilant. Water can look nice and clear, but that doesn’t automatically mean it is clean and safe. Most people understand that to counter bacteria, a hot tub needs chemicals like bromine or chlorine. However, checking pH levels is also crucial for the health of your hot tub and your body.

pH levels are the measure of how basic or acidic water is. This number is calculated by measuring the hydrogen ions. Pure water usually has a pH level of seven, anything below is considered acidic; anything higher is basic.

If your water is too acidic, it could corrode your hot tub. Likewise, if it’s too basic, it can lead to scaling. Additionally, unbalanced water could result in irritation of the skin or eyes.

Thankfully, you won’t need to keep a chemistry set beside your hot tub to know your water is good. Test strips are a helpful and easy way to check your pH levels.

These strips usually come with a hot tub chemical starter kit. They are very straightforward to use and only require a quick dip in the water. From there, after 10-15 seconds, you can see the pH level of your water and adjust accordingly.

4. Check the Temperature

Getting the temperature right in your hot tub is essential. Too cold, and it’s not a hot tub; too warm, and you can run into problems. While the Goldilocks Zone of hot tub temperatures is in part personal preference, there are some guidelines that can help you keep your hot tub happy and healthy for everyone.

Our internal temperatures are usually around 98.6 degrees. Getting in water just hotter than that is why it’s so soothing and relaxing. But there are limits. Most hot tubs set a temperature threshold at no more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher, such as 106, means you run the risk of getting heatstroke.

For the majority of people, 104 is a little too hot anyway. Most hot tubs tend to be set to around 100 or 102, with others preferring to keep it in the 90s.

For children and older adults, the effects of hot water can be more pronounced. This is because their bodies are less capable of regulating health than other adults. So, if you have an inter-generational hot tub party, keeping the temperature at a lower level is important.

5. Sniff For Any Unusual Smells

While it’s still important to use a test strip to check your water, another method that works is giving it a smell. Water can emit a distinct odor when your pH drifts out of range, your sanitizer levels are low, or if there is bacteria or algae growth.

If this happens, there is a chance you may need to treat your hot tub water. Of course, there are several steps you can take beforehand to attempt to solve the issue. Firstly, you need to diagnose the problem. Check the pH levels of the water, and if they are off, it’s time to get out the pH Up or pH Down. Make as many adjustments as needed to get to a pH of seven.

If that doesn’t solve the odor, move on to total and free chlorine levels. If chlorine levels are low, apply some Dichlor chlorinating granules. Check back, and if the smell persists, you’ll need to:

  • Drain the hot tub
  • Inspect and clean the interior
  • Fill with clean and refreshing water
  • Treat with water care products

If draining, cleaning, and refilling the hot tub doesn’t fix the issue, it may be time for professional care.

6. Give the Spa and Cover a Quick Inspection

Before you jump into the hot tub, it’s worth giving it a quick inspection. Check the side panels for any signs of leaking before giving the spa a once-over. Check the hydro jets and filters aren’t blocked and that there is nothing left in the water.

Additionally, lift up your hot tub cover and look it over for signs of mold, bacteria, or fungi. Unfortunately, these things are possible when you have a spa full of warm water enclosed for long periods. A quick inspection and a quick smell should help you keep on top of any future problems.

Of course, maintaining good hot tub hygiene should ward off problems with microorganisms. It’s important to stay vigilant because once your hot tub cover starts to smell bad, it’s challenging to reverse.

7. Set Up a Playlist and Connect Your Device for Music

When you get into your hot tub for a nice hot tub soak, you want to get straight down to relaxing. So, instead of scrambling around trying to pick music, set up a playlist before you get in.

The BLUEWAVE® Spa Stereo System with Bluetooth® system is available as an option on most Jacuzzi® Hot Tub models, and it integrates easily with the Jacuzzi® 1000™ Control System. From here, the topside control system relays track and playlist information.

Additionally, there is a remote control and phone connection that you can use from up to 30 feet away. Finally, you can directly connect your phone to the hot tub via USB, with a marine-rated sealed docking area to keep your phone dry.

8. Check the Health of Your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub Using the SmartTub™ System App

Managing a hot tub is made easy by the SmartTub™ System app available at the Apple and Play stores. By connecting your hot tub to a smartphone, you can get your hot tub ready for use even when you’re not at home.

Of course, there are several other features and benefits to the SmartTub™ app. Remote monitoring and alerts, reminders, and an energy use estimator are just some of the uses of this smart system.

It all connects seamlessly by cellular connection, meaning that you are free to place your hot tub anywhere on your property to ensure the best connectivity at all times.

9. No Glass in the Hot Tub

Just like the pool, bringing glass into the hot tub is a bad idea. Sitting back and enjoying a drink of your choice in the hot tub is many people’s idea of heaven, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if the glass drops and breaks into the spa.

When glass breaks, it’s not pretty. Aside from the fear that you or one of your guests could get cut, it wreaks havoc with the entire system. Glass breaks into tiny, almost impossible to see slivers that can tear the filters. In most cases, this means you’ll have to drain, clean, and refill the spa. That can really kill the mood of any hot tub party.

Thankfully, there are many alternatives to glassware in the hot tub—for example, “hot tub safe” glasses. Plastic glasses come in many forms: tumblers, wine glasses, martini glasses, and so on. So if you’re having a drink — alcoholic or not — it’s best to use plastic glasses if you don’t want to deal with cut feet and ripped filters.

10. Use the Washroom

Once you enter the warm and comfortable environment of your hot tub, chances are you won’t ever want to get out. To make the most of your hot tub soak, we suggest making a quick trip to the washroom first. Avoid having to exit the water and track water through your house, and stay inside the water for as long as you can!

Shop Hot Tubs in Ontario Today

We hope you found the information in this article helpful. If you want to see more great tips for a better hot tub lifestyle and improved hot tub soaks, visit our blog and resource centre. From here, you can find a wealth of information on how to maintain and keep the perfect spa environment.

Of course, if you are ready to take the next step and find a hot tub that suits your lifestyle, contact our experts at Wellness Shop today.

We can help you browse through our selection of hot tubs and even advise you of the best placement in your yard. Contact us today so you can turn your hot tub dreams into a reality!

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