Is Your Spa Due for a Deep Clean?
Has your spa been getting a workout lately? With winter around the corner, now’s the perfect time to give your spa that deep clean it’s probably crying out for!
If you can’t remember the last time you drained and cleaned your spa, or you’re noticing some signs that it might be time, like cloudy water or strong chemical smells, follow our guide below or contact us to give your spa a full deep clean.
How often?
Every 3-4 months, your spa needs a complete refresh. Even with perfect water chemistry and regular maintenance, body oils, dirt and other impurities build up over time.
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in spa water refers to all the dissolved substances in the water, including minerals, salts, and other impurities. Over time, things like chemicals, body oils, sunscreen and even spray tans all contribute to TDS. Once they reach high levels, we usually find issues like your sanitiser working harder than it needs to, difficulty clearing cloudy water and even causing that “spa smell”, this is when we recommend a deep clean.
The Clean-Out Process
Don’t worry – while it sounds like a big job, a deep clean only takes a few hours! Here’s how to get it done:
*Before you start, grab some pipe degreaser and filter cleaner from us, this is going to clean out all those hidden pipes and filters where the gunk loves to hide!
Step 1: Preparation (~15 mins)
- Remove any headrests or other accessories for cleaning
- Add a pipe degreaser like Spa Pro SPA & PIPE FLUSHA while the spa is running
- Follow instructions on the pack or run for about 1 hour if unsure.
Step 2: Drain the Spa Water (~30-45 mins)
- Turn off the power
- Drain your spa (follow your spa manufacturer’s instructions on how to drain the water for your type of spa).
*This is general advice applicable for freestanding/portable spas & swim spa’s, some spas cannot be drained as they are in-ground, in-deck or semi-inground and may not be safe to fully drain and can potentially ‘pop out’ of place. In these cases it’s best to only 1/2 drain the spa then refill again and repeat this process until the water is clear of the residue from the pipe degrease.
Step 3: Deep Clean (~45 mins)
- Wipe down the shell & headrests with a non-abrasive cleaner such as a small amount of pipe flusher to clean surfaces.
- Pay special attention to the waterline and jets
- Clean your filters thoroughly with a product like Spa Pro FILTER CLEANER & DEGREASER or replace them if needed
- Check the inside surface, jets, nozzles, and buttons for damage.
- Hold the hose up to jets in several places to flush out any dirty water from the pipes and then remove this water from the spa.
Step 4: Refill (~1 hour)
- Refill the spa with fresh water ensuring you follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Turn the power back on and begin running the spa
- Bring a sample of your tap water into your local pool shop for testing to balance your chemicals.
Tips to help extend the time between cleans
Want to stretch out the time between deep cleans? Here are our top tips:
- Shower before using the spa
- Keep up with weekly maintenance
- Test and balance your water regularly
- Always use quality chemicals
*Remember: If your spa gets heavy use or you’ve had some big spa parties, you might need to deep clean more frequently. If your spa is used by more than one person once a week, we suggest emptying every three months. if used less than this, then emptying approx every 4-6 months. While these are only guidelines, it’s important to get your water professionally tested and keep an eye on the TDS levels regularly as they build up faster with more frequent use.
Need some help getting your spa sparkling again? Or want to make sure you’re using the right products? Pop in and see us – we’re always happy to help keep your spa ready for when you need it!
