UK Heatwave: Experts Reveal How to Keep Hot Tubs Safe and Clean This Summer

As the hot weather has finally arrived, it seems many Brits are looking for new additions to their gardens – searches for ‘best inflatable hot tubs’ have increased by 80%* in the last week.

Experts at OnBuy.com have therefore set out to answer the most asked hot tub questions, to help us keep them clean, safe, and running efficiently this summer.

1) How often should I change my hot tub water?

Experts recommend changing the water regularly, every 3-4 months as a general rule of thumb. However, generally clean water is clear water, therefore if it does not look dirty you shouldn’t need to change it.

2) How do you clean a hot tub without draining it?

Making sure the pH levels are between 7.2-7.8 is the easiest way to clean a hot tub without draining it, however this only delay’s the issues of dirty water until you must drain it. Therefore, this should only be used as a short-term solution, and if the water looks dirty then it should be drained.

3) Are salt water hot tubs better?

OnBuy.com found out that there are 17,900 monthly global searches* for salt water hot tubs. Known for being easier to maintain, the high popularity of salt water hot tubs can perhaps be attributed to the relaxing experience they provide and the fact that they don’t often require the use of chemicals such as chlorine.

However, salt water hot tubs do come with drawbacks. They are not suitable for those with sensitive skin due to the harshness of the salts, and when draining them the salts can also cause harm to the environment. It is therefore important to read the pros and cons before buying a salt water hot tub, to see if they are right for you.

4) What temperature should you keep your hot tub at?

This comes down to personal preference, however as a rule of thumb the safest temperature should be no more than 40 degrees Celsius. Anything above 40 degrees can be potentially harmful due to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

5) How long should I stay in the hot tub for?

Again, this is down to personal preference and any underlying health conditions. But experts suggest that generally you shouldn’t exceed 30 minutes. You can always come back later, but it is important to give your body a break from the heat and the chemicals.

6) Should I leave my hot tub filter on all the time?

Most companies recommend leaving it on for a minimum of eight hours per day, but some require 12-24 hours per day. This is something that differs per hot tub, so it is important to check, as keeping it on makes the pump more efficient.

7) Does a hot tub need to be plugged in all the time?

Yes. Although this might lead to some worrying about their electric bills, it costs less to keep it on all the time then it does to turn it off and reheat.