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8 Best Hot Tub and Whirlpool Bath Cleaners?

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Ok, let’s admit that it’s not fun to clean out the hot tub.  But it is a must do task and we have found some of the best cleaners on the market to help you do the task!

Below you will find the best-selling hot tubs, spas & pools cleaners, cleansers and accessories.

A comparison is done for you with specifications of the best water care products with the highest rated customer reviews.

So let’s go shall we…

Top 8 Best Cleaners and Cleansers for your hot tub

Oh Yuk Jetted Tub Cleaner for Jacuzzis, Bathrubs, Whirlpools

Expertly designed to dissolve and remove dirt, grime and bacteria from your jetted tub, jacuzzi or whirlpool, Oh Yuk guarantees a clean, safe, and family friendly soak in the tub. It’s the highest-rated online for a reason!

Engineered with scientific precision, it breaks down scummy soap build up, calcium deposits, bath or body oils and unsightly black flecks and flakes. In just fifteen minutes, you can have a sparkling clean hot tub, ready for soaking.

Just one sixteen ounce bottle is enough for up to four cleaning sessions, which makes this not just an incredibly successful product, but cost-effective too. This is all you’ll need to maintain your tub from now on – trust us.

Pros:

  • Also available as a one gallon or two pack 16 ounce set
  • Works incredibly quickly – 15 minutes of running the jets and you’ll be ready soak again
  • Lab tested for a chemical you can trust; don’t worry about the safety of your family
  • Ideal for dislodging grime inside your jets – achieves a deep clean that other products don’t

Cons:

  • The 16 ounce bottle seems pricey; could be better to opt for a gallon and buy less regularly

EDITORS CHOICE

Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner

Recommended by numerous industry professionals, Ahh-Some hot tub cleaner has been the leading tub care brand across the USA for over fifteen years.

With a super-concentrated formula, you’ll dislodge and dissolve all of that scummy buildup.

Bio-engineered with an innovative formula, it essentially does a total colonoscopy on your hot tub (sorry for that mental image) – thoroughly descaling the plumbing innards of your tub.

You’ll never see so much muck pulled from those pipes!

Working as gently as possible, Ahh-some is a hazmat free cleaner.

You’ll find it’s non-acidic, non-corrosive, and rather than harming your fragile plumbing fixtures, it will actually extend the lifespan of your tub overall.

Pros:

  • Non-corrosive, non-acidic formula that dislodges sludge and grime
  • Improves jet pressure as well as cleaning your tub inside and out
  • Test results from research at Montana University available to reassure you of its success
  • Zero harm to skin and totally family friendly

Cons:

  • Very expensive for a 2 ounce tub, but a little goes a long way

BEST VALUE

Bio Ouster Hot Tub Cleaner, 3 in 1 Weekly Care

Performing three actions in one total water care formula, this weekly treatment from Bio Ouster will leave your tub sparkling.

Combining cleaner, conditioner and clarifier, your next soak will be the silkiest, softest and most soothing you’ve ever had.

From the inside out, this cleaner loosens, suspends and then completely purges those harmful contaminants, bacteria and lingering sludge.

You’ll be shocked at the sheer amount of hidden gunk it brings out – and you thought your tub was clean!

Backed by a one hundred percent, no questions asked money back guarantee, Bio Ouster assure you of their product’s quality.

Promising that your water will be spa-like, or a refund is coming your way, this is one purchase you won’t regret.

Pros:

  • Reduces the cost of using your hot tub by combining three products in one
  • Conditions, clarifies, and cleans your water to provide a spa experience at home
  • Available in multiple sizes to suit your needs – try before you buy
  • Guaranteed refund if you’re not satisfied, meaning there’s no risk in purchasing

Cons:

  • Pouches not recommended for use with swim spas larger than 1000 gallons – 32 ounce bottles only

RUNNER UP

Quick N Brite Heavy Duty Hot Tub Cleaner

With a formula that utilizes coconut oil, your skin will thank you for choosing Quick N Brite’s cleaner to scrub your tub.

A unique blend of totally non-toxic ingredients, their products come highly recommended by Better Homes and Gardens.

Working on the toughest grease and grime, any dirt rings or problem areas on your tub’s surface or cover will be no match for this formula.

Safe for use in hot tubs, spas, pools, covers and vinyl as well as fiberglass, its a multi-purpose purchase!

Using zero chemicals and presenting no unpleasant smells when used, you can rest assured that Quick N Brite products will keep you and your family safe. Not only that, but it leaves your tub looking shiny and new again!

Pros:

  • Non-toxic, biodegradable, sweet-smelling formula; coconut is soft and great for the skin when it dissolves in your tub water
  • Scrubs away even the most stubborn rings of dirt and grime – 16 ounces should serve you for months
  • Multipurpose – can be used across a variety of products and surfaces, saving you money on other products
  • Comes with a sponge and cloth for the complete cleaning arsenal

Cons:

  • Not for use internally – only to clean the hot tub surface and covers, not jets or pipes

RUNNER UP

Tub Jet Clean – Premium Jetted Tub Cleaner

Highly effective and incredibly easy to use, Tub Jet Clean is a wonder product that easily removes soap and scum buildup, body and bath oils, black flacks and other contaminants. It does all of that in just a few minutes!

Thanks to their concentrated formula, one bottle is enough for eight cleanings, making this the most efficient and cost-effective on our list.

Made in the heart of the USA, it’s a product manufactured under the most rigorous standards possible.

A one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee assures that if you’re not pleased with the results, you can get your money back.

We’re sure that you’ll be happy enough with the product, you won’t even need to consider a refund.

Pros:

  • Cleans out pipes, pumps, fittings and jets, all without any scrubbing
  • Improves the energy efficiency of your tub and helps avoid costly repairs
  • Only 15 minutes to completely clean the whole hot tub
  • Ideal whatever the surface – fiberglass, acrylic, fiberglass, chrome and more

Cons:

  • Produces very strong fumes – not for use indoors without plenty of ventilation

RUNNER UP

Leisure Time 45450 Jet Clean Spa and Hot Tub Cleaner

Compatible with any spa or jetted tub, Leisure Time’s cleaner keeps your plumbing completely clear of any unwanted minerals, dirt, organic matter and oils. Its low-foaming formula makes for an incredibly easy cleanup session.

If used every time you drain your tub, this highly effective formula will keep your jets performing like new. Improving the overall efficiency of your tub and saving you money on running costs in the long run, it’s an excellent investment.

Suitable for use alongside any sanitizer, Jet Clean is versatile. Whether you clean with bromine, ozone, biguanide, or chlorine, it prevents the buildup of matter that would otherwise restrict your jet flow and potentially damage your equipment.

Pros:

  • Choose from one, two, four or twelve bottles to save money and suit your needs
  • Prevent damage to your tub by using every time you drain the water – save yourself money with jets that work perfectly
  • Very little foam produced, for a stress free clean even when the jets are on high
  • Over thirty years of experience producing hot tub care products – a formula you can rely on

Cons:

  • Ignore the label instructions and read customer guidance for suggestions on how often you should actually use the cleaner

RUNNER UP

Spa Guard System Flush Hot Tub Cleaner

Promising to free your pipes of unseen buildup, preventing any impact on your tub’s performance, Spa Guard’s System Flush is pretty self explanatory.

Allowing your spa to function as efficiently as possible, it also softens your water. A win-win situation!

Flushing out all of the congealed gunk you can’t otherwise reach, it should be used every time you drain and fill your tub.

Removing any clingy grime, organic matter or black flaking, the nooks and crannies of your pipes will have never been cleaner!

Taking only fifteen minutes to cleanse your whole spa system, even the most well maintained tub will see the removal of biofilm when you use SpaGuard.

If you want optimal performance and cheaper energy bills, look no further!

Pros:

  • Achieve soft, clean water suitable for use in spas – relax from the comfort of your home
  • 25 years of industry experience assure total confidence in the product
  • Improve the efficiency of your tub, as well as cleaning it, saving you money in the long run
  • Even removes skin, hair and calcium deposits, doing the job of multiple products in one go

Cons:

  • The full 24 ounce bottle should be used for one clean, which isn’t as cost effective as other cleaners with more concentrated formulas

RUNNER UP

AquaAce Spa Hot Tub Jet Line Cleaner

Freeing you from the bacteria growing in hidden gunk or contaminants in your pipes, AquaAce is a product that cleans and clears for a spa-like soak.

Two treatments in one 32 ounce bottle offers more value for money when compared to other brands!

Working well with any hot tub or spa, made right here in the USA, this cleaner might be a little pricier than others, but it’s a worthy investment.

It completely unclogs your jetted bath and removes any biofilm, minerals, dirt or oils present.

Allowing your hot tub to run faster and freer than ever, your filtration system, water flow and overall soaking experience will improve after just one use.

In a matter of minutes, you’ll totally transform the innards of the grimiest tub.

Pros:

  • For use whenever you drain your tub – get two uses from one bottle and save cash
  • Ideal at removing multiple kinds of buildup – calcium deposits, biofilm, oils, natural body matter – doing the job of multiple products
  • Improve the efficiency of your filtration system so you can wait longer between cleans
  • Works in just fifteen minutes, so you can spend more time relaxing

Cons:

  • Residual foaming may occur – stay near the tub to avoid overflowing

Important Hot Tub, Spa and Pool Cleaners

You have a hot tub, spa, whirlpool bath, Jacuzzi tub, a pool, or any combination of these should be used properly and within the specifications.

You might want to save the water for later use and keep the tub wet with minimal dry periods. Doing this can lead to issues when not handled properly.

All owners of the said water feature know that proper maintenance and love.

Maintenance can be a costly thing especially if the tub is not taken care of good enough.

Oils, chemicals, and dirt can build up and cause problems to occur if not fixed or cleaned early on.

I have here a simple guide to help you with your hot tub, spa, whirlpool, Jacuzzi tub, and/or pool maintenance.

Things needed

Pool/Tub skimmer net – this handy tool is to fish out impurities from the tub. Impurities include leaves, bugs, snakes, and anything else that fell on the water.

This is one of those thing that cleaners find very versatile.

Water test strips – you also need to check the tub’s water condition before you jump in.

There are pool and tub test strips that are multipurpose for pH, chlorine, bromine, hardness, and other water based factors.

You should test the water a minimum of once a week and adjust the chemicals in the water accordingly.

Once a day is recommended for those who always use their tubs.

TDS test – Total Dissolved Solids test.

This will tell you when the water should be replaced. Do not let the water get anything above 1500 particles per metric cube of water.

This is important for those with water jet and fountain features.

Water filters – if your tub has a built-in filter, then, congratulations it will keep your water longer. Clean it every 2 weeks and replace it when needed as per instruction manuals.

If the tub has no built-in filter then it is right to buy this accessory with the other important accessories and equipment.

Chlorine or bromine – you can put both if you want.

These two keeps the pool sanitized against biological threats like algae, bacteria, and viruses. There are hot tubs, whirlpools, and Jacuzzi specific chlorine and bromine salts being sold in the market which is friendly to the techie things in your tub.

Ozoniser or ozone generator – if you do not want to use plenty of water conditioners and just stick to the basic chemicals then use this.

An ozone generator will work the same as chlorine but without the harsh chemicals. An example would be the copper ion system.

Oil-absorbing sponge – like the name says, it is a sponge that absorbs oils and keep that water oil free, some might even absorb make-up. This is needed if you use oils or lotions when taking that soak.

Pool cleaners – they are the cleaning accessories or equipment for the pool and tub.

There are manual vacuums and automatic high-tech ones.

Some smaller models of the automatic variety can be used for tubs as long as it’s water jet friendly.

Clarifiers – this chemical coagulates particles in the water making filtration easier.

Stain remover – there are many things that can stain your tub and pool so a stain remover is good to have.

Flush product – it is a chemical that will help you clean the water jets in your tub. Before you drain the water, put this product in and activate the jets or as instructed on the product.

Tips to cleaning and maintaining the tub, spa and pool

Aside from the above-mentioned cleaning practices, the moulds and mildew on and around the area especially the covers.

It is important to cry out the tub or pool every now and then so that you can get all the nasty things out and minimize algae and mold growth.

If you have a hot tub and it’s getting colder and colder and you use it more and more, it is better to leave it on but at a lower temperature instead of waiting every time to have the water heat up.

This is effective in places with harsh winter and the tub is outdoors or in a place where the heater cannot reach.

Conditioning the cover will also prolong its life especially when summer hits and the tub or pool is exposed to the harmful rays of the sun.

If you came from outside and is quite dirty, you might want to keep the tub and pool water clean by taking a shower first. This is important if you have a tub with plenty of water jets.

Water shock the pools and tubs that are used frequently by plenty of people.

It keeps your water clean and clear a bit longer saving you some money. Do this at least once a week or as needed.

If you are replacing the water with tap water, like most homes, it is better to have it run through a filters and minimize the impurities that might accumulate and damage the water jets and other accessories.

Especially in places with their tap water high in minerals like lime, calcium, and fluoride and any other heavy metal particles.

You should have a professional cleaners or a maintenance team come and clean every now and then depending on how much you use your hot tub, spa, whirlpool, Jacuzzi tub, and/or pool.

They should be able to spot technology related issues especially with your high-tech tub.

With that done, enjoy your time in the clean and safe water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you run a hot tub without chemicals?

Unfortunately not – but, they don’t have to be harsh, skin-contaminating, potentially dangerous chemicals.

Understandably, the word ‘chemical’ sounds harsh, but the only things being added to your water are there to clean it and keep you safe.

So long as you are using the right amount, appropriately, there’s no reason why cleaning your hot tub should be a stressful or painful process.

Failing to do so could result in the growth of multiple bacteria, alongside a whole host of dirt and grime.

Given that they thrive at around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for your tub, refusing to clean with the appropriate solutions or products is inviting a breeding ground into your peaceful spa experience!

There are many “spa cleaners” – like those from Silk, for instance – which pride themselves on using skin-friendly, cruelty free igredients in their cleaning products.

If you’re concerned, look for those eco friendly, skin-conscious brands.

Can I use vinegar to lower the pH in my hot tub?

You can, but be aware it might cause scaling! Many thrifty hot tub owners like to use household staples such as vinega or baking soda to alter the pH level in their tub, which works simply because of their acid or alkali properties.

Although it achieves the purpose you’re looking for, in a natural way, it also invites the opportunity for vinegar to interact with other things you’ll find in your water.

Plus, you’ll need quite a bit to shift the pH, so it will probably leave a funky smell.

Essentially, stick to the water cleaners/adjusters that you can buy online or at your local tub dealership if you want to do right by your precious spa.

Otherwise it could end up smelly and scaly – the opposite of what you wanted!

Can you use bleach to clean a hot tub?

No! Whilst incredibly diluted bleach is fine for giving the shell or cover of your tub a wash, you should never use straight liquid bleach to sanitize your hot tub.

Not only can it strip away at your tub’s finish, but it may also erode the fragile filters!

Though it’s tempting, again you should stick to the verified hot tub cleaners to avoid causing unwanted damage. You could end up making the whole thing dirtier than it was to begin with!

How long does bromine last in a hot tub?

Around two to three days! When using bromine to clean your tub, it’s important to maintain a constant level of between 3 and 5 parts per million (ppm).

Depending on how often you’re taking a soak, you might want to add some daily or every few days.

That being said, if you check your water with a testing strip and find that it remains somewhere in the realms of 3-5 ppm, then you don’t need to add any more.

You should also be cleaning your filters as well as shocking the water regularly.

How often should I shock my hot tub?

Once a week, ideally. Most tub enthusiasts suggest that every seven days is enough regularity to keep your tub water in tip-top condition, but you might benefit from doing it more often if you are tubbing more frequently than usual.

That being said, if you’ve whipped off the cover to take a soak and everything seems fine with the levels, but something is amiss, there’s no harm in giving things a shock again.

Whether it’s a weird smell or clouded water, a shock will only help!

Likewise, even if you cleaned your water but haven’t used the tub, when a long time has passed since your last dip, you should give it a shock anyway.

Time spent under a cover for long periods creates the optimum conditions for bacteria growth.

Why is my hot tub making me cough?

It could be what’s known as hot tub lung. This disease occurs when MAC (mycobacterium avium complex) bacteria start hanging out in your hot tub water – once contaminated, if you turn on the bubbles, this bug will start bursting in them.

Put simply, the bacteria becomes airborne once the jets start going in your tub, which causes your lungs to become inflamed in little patches (granulomas), the symptoms of which are coughing, tiredness, fever or difficulty catching your breath.

If your symptoms stop occurring after you drain, thoroughly clean and refill the tub, then problem solved.

Otherwise, it could be something to do with the cleaning products that you’re using – perhaps you have an allergy to one of the ingredients.

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