Hot Tub Filter Cleaning

Most hot tub owners should already know the importance of cleaning their spa filters regularly and thoroughly, however we feel this point needs reinforcing to spa owners across the country. We regularly get calls from new and experienced hot tub owners who are experiencing such messages as "LF", "FLO" and "SNS". These problems are all related to flow issues that are 95% of the time caused by dirty filters.

Some companies are poor at after-sales service, with some even sub-contracting their own servicing and repairs to other companies. This results in customers being misinformed of the key processes involved in owning a hot tub, one of which is the cleaning of cartridge filters. The "grab and run" sales technique is damaging to the lifespan of many hot tubs, as proper maintenance techniques are not suggested. Although filter cleaning may be as simple as soaking the filters once every two weeks, we feel better routines are needed to ensure your hot tub stays in good condition for years to come. Below we have outlined a few cleaning routines/techniques for differing lifestyles.


Routine 1 - The Very Busy Person - Little Time - Low to Medium Hot Tub Usage.

• This routine is simple, quick and effective but suits those who have a busy life schedule. 
• 1 DAY AFTER FILLING THE HOT TUB - Rinse Filters with hose.
• EVERY MONTH (DURING WATER CHANGE) - Soak Filters in filter cleaner.

Routine 2 - The Busy Person - Average Spare Time - Medium Hot Tub Usage.

• This routine is more thorough than the routine suggested above, but less so than the ideal routine below.
• 1 DAY AFTER FILLING THE HOT TUB - Rinse Filters with hose.
• FORTNIGHTLY - Rinse Filters with hose.
• EVERY MONTH - Soak Filters in filter cleaner.

Routine 3 - The Less-Busy Person - Lots of Spare Time - High Hot Tub Usage.

• This routine is the recommended routine for those that have time to clean their filters more thoroughly.
• 1 DAY AFTER FILLING THE HOT TUB - Rinse Filters with hose.
• WEEKLY - Rinse Filters with hose.
• FORTNIGHTLY - Swap Filters with clean ones, then soak the dirty filters, allow to dry and place back in within a fortnight.

These routines are not strictly realistic but they give you an idea of how to organise the maintenance of your hot tub around your lifestyle. You may be wondering why we recommend that your filters are rinsed within one day of filling up your spa? Well this is because tap water is dirty, so by rinsing one day after filling up you can remove any debris or impurities that were in the tap water. The best technique is that suggested in Routine 3. This involves having two or more sets of filters, constantly swapping them and ensuring that they are dry when placing back into the hot tub to add to filtering efficiency.Obviously those of you who love a hot tub party will need to clean them thoroughly after such an event and these routines do not consider such high usage events.

If you have any questions in regards to filter cleaning, e-mail me on eddie@happyhottubs.co.uk.

Eddie, HHT.