The water in the Hot Tub is dirty.

It’s been a while and you really can not remember the last time you cleaned it.

So it’s time to think about cleaning the spa Filter again.

However, you may not yet have discovered the best way to clean spa bath filters. And you may not even have known that there is more than one way to perform this important maintenance task.

And if you’re a newcomer to the world of whirlpool owners, cleaning the filter components of the hot tub may seem like a confusing and daunting task. You may be wondering what is the best way to clean a whirlpool filter and have no idea where to start.

No matter what your situation is, this article will help you.

In this article you will learn how to clean hot tub filters. And learn many important aspects of filter treatment from start to finish. You will learn to recognize the various parts of a spa filter and how they work together to accomplish the task. You can choose how best to clean your spa filtration systems to meet your specific needs and preferences.

Cleaning the whirlpool filter does not have to be confusing or scary. I’ll also give you some tips and tricks to make this process easier. So, let’s get started.

Before you learn to clean the spa filtration systems, it is important to consider the bathtub as a whole. When you understand the structure of your tub, you can see why cleaning the filter is so important. This can also help you to find the filter when the time comes, and can give you a better idea of how clean your entire spa really is.

Difference Between Jacuzzi and Bathtub

Jacuzzi is  actually a brand for a company. It manufactures both bathtubs (baths installed in bathrooms) and whirlpools or spas (usually outdoor bathtubs). The brand is by far the most popular and is now commonly used for hot tubs or spas, but occasionally for bathtubs.

Structure Of Hot Tub Filters

Now that you know more about the structure of the spa, it’s time to figure out which part of the filter you need to know about. There are some small parts in the Whirlpool filter, but in most cases there are three main areas to watch out for.

• Lid – The lid of the hot tub filter consists of the lock ring and the vent valve. The lock ring holds the filter in place in your spa. It is an important part of the filter that prevents the entire system from shifting to the wrong position and getting dirt and grime into your piping. The bleed valve prevents air from entering the piping in the same way.
• Base – This part of the filter is usually made of durable plastic or sometimes metal. Together with the locking ring it holds the filter and prevents it from moving. It is usually connected to the pipelines so that water can move through the filter.
• Body – The body of the hot tub filter contains the cartridge, the cartridge seal and the bypass valve. The cartridge is the part of the filter that you are most interested in. It is the part that needs to be cleaned regularly and replaced about once a year. Most of the time this is a big cylinder that slides into the body of your filtration system. The cartridge seal is the part of the filter that holds the cartridge in place. The bypass valve allows water to move through the filter media.
• Hardware – The rest of the filter consists mainly of hardware parts. These are important parts of the filter that are usually partially installed.

How Do You Know It’s Time To Clean The Hot Tub Filter?

The next step in cleaning the spa filter is to know when it’s time for deep cleansing and when you can only do it with a conditioner. Consider the following time frames to take full advantage of the whirlpool spa whirlpool program.

• Bi-weekly: Check your filter every two weeks. Take a look and you will see if it looks dirty. If so, you may need to rinse it every two weeks. To flush the filter, you do not have to completely shut off or drain the spa so this is a quick task.
• Monthly: Every month you should at least plan to flush the filter medium. Remove it and turn off the spa so the pump will not work without the filter. Rinse the filter completely, being careful not to remove large visible residue or debris. Dry it with an old towel and replace it, then turn the spa back on.
• Every three months: Remove the filter and perform thorough cleaning every three months with the cleaning solution of your choice. Use the instructions later in this article to properly clean the filter at this time.
• Annually: Most whirlpool filters should be replaced every year. Discard your old filter and place a new filter. From there you can start your cleaning program again.

How To Clean A Empty Hot Tub

Before you clean your filter, you should also know how to clean your hot tub. Most of the time you are responsible for both tasks at the same time, so it is a good idea to plan a full day of cleaning to move the whole tub up and down while also rinsing and soaking the filter. Follow these simple steps below and you will have a sparkling hot tub in no time.

• Disconnect the power supply from the hot tub. It is important that the pump does not work while the tub is being cleaned, both for your safety and for the safety of the tub. 
• Drain the tub and leave only water in the foot bath. If you need to clean the footbath, you can drain that part as well, but in most tubs it is a bit more difficult. Most of the time you can leave the foot bath water in place to facilitate access to the rest of the tub.
• Spray the tub with a whirlpool cleaner. You can buy a whirlpool cleaner in any pool supply store, or in some tubs, you can use a glass cleaner like Windex. Be sure to read the user guide for your tub before using a cleaner that is not traditionally made for tub baths. 
• Rinse with the garden hose and dry. Be sure to remove any residue from the tub cleaner as the remaining residue may cause the water to foam when you refill the bath.
• Use a toothbrush moistened in a whirlpool cleaner to scrub nozzles and lights. Make sure you also enter the nozzles. You’ll be surprised how much dirt and grime accumulates in this part of the tub, especially if you do not clean them regularly.
• Rinse and dry. Be sure to remove any traces of dirt and grime from the tub cleaner.
• Use a cleaner designed to cover the tub to spray the cover. A special kind of cleaner is needed to clean the material that makes up most whirlpool tubs, so buy one for that purpose.
• Rinse it with the garden hose and clean it. Do not let it get wet for too long or risk mold growing on the deck. This is also a good time to check for damage to the tub cover. This part of the hot tub is often overlooked, but it is very important to prevent waste from getting into the water.
• Follow the steps below to clean the filter. This is undoubtedly the most important step in cleaning the entire tub system. So make sure you do not skip it.

6 Ways To Clean Your Hot Tub Filters

Now that you have learned something about the hot tub filter that you will be working with, you may be wondering, “How do you clean the hot tub filters?” It’s time to choose your favorite method to take care of this job. Below are six of the most popular ways to clean your DIY style tub filter. Keep in mind that the filter type you choose affects the cleaning option you want to use. Review the details below and choose the one that best suits your needs so you can get a clean tub filter instantly.

1. Clean Hot Tub Filter Dishwasher Detergent

One of the best ways to clean the filters in your tub is to simply wash them with detergent. Both work equally well, although dish soap is generally a little more popular. Choose your favorite soap and follow these instructions for one of the softest and easiest ways to keep your filter clean. This method is gentle enough to use every time you clean it, so you do not have to alternate it with anything else to keep your filters from becoming too weak. If you want a clean hot tub filters, dishwashing is a great way to do it.

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Remove the filter from your spa and place it in the large pickle tub.

2. Fill the pickle tub with five gallons of hot water with the hose from your garden.

3. Mix detergent and trisodium phosphate in hot water.

4. Let it soak for at least 24 hours.

5. Remove the filter and rinse the remaining cleaning mixture thoroughly with the garden hose.

6. Allow the filter to dry for at least another 24 hours before returning it to your spa.

7. Fill the spa through the filter and turn it back on.

2. Cleaning Hot Tub Filters With Bleach

Cleaning whirlpool filters with bleach is a popular, old-fashioned way to keep the water in the tub clean and clear. However, keep in mind that if you learn how to clean the hot tub filter with bleach, many filter cartridges can not withstand prolonged exposure to chlorine because it is a very aggressive chemical. So if you use this method, you can change it at another time using a different cleaning method to ensure the longest life of your filter. Also, try to avoid using chlorine on your filters.

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Remove the filter from your spa and put it in the empty pickle tub.

2. Use the garden hose to add 5 gallons of hot water to your pickle bath.

3. Add ¼ cup of bleach until well blended.

4. Let soak for 2 hours. Do not get wet at night.

5. Remove the filter and use the hose from your garden to rinse off any remaining bleach.

6. Allow the filter to dry overnight or for up to 24 hours.

7. Remove the remaining chlorine from the filter with the old cloth.

8. Replace the filter in your spa.

9. Fill the spa through your filter and turn it back on.

3. Hot Tub Filter Cleaner Alternative (Organic Materials)

If you are concerned about exposing yourself and your family to harsh chemicals in cleaning solutions for filters, bleach, or even cleaning products, you should use an organic material to clean the water. Many hot tub owners learn more about how to naturally clean a bath filter. These are softer options that can be good options for filters that are not very dirty. If you have hard water, this type of cleaning may not be strong enough to do the job. The same is true for a very dirty filter. However, if your filter is moderately dirty, you can benefit a lot from an organic cleaner.

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Remove the filter from your tub and place it in the pickle tub.

2. Fill the brine tank with your garden hose with enough water to completely cover your filter.

3. Add a lot of sea salt. The amount you add depends on the amount of water in your curing tank. Add about 1 cup of sea salt to 1 gallon of water.

4. Let the filter soak overnight.

5. Use your garden hose to completely rinse your remaining sea salt filter.

6. Allow the filter to dry overnight before replacing it in your tub.

7. This process may need to be repeated several times to remove stubborn dirt.

8. Fill the tub through your filter and turn it back on.

4. Cleaning Hot Tub Filters With Vinegar

Vinegar is another popular way to keep filters clean. Many owners rely on the cleaning properties of ordinary vinegar. So if you are looking for an affordable way to clean your tub filter yourself, look no further than this option. Vinegar is probably the easiest way to clean your filters, but again it can be too soft for very heavily soiled filters or anyone dealing with hard water and calcium.

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Take the filter out of the tub and place it in the pickle tub.

2. Use the hose in your garden to fill the pickle container with enough water to completely cover the filter.

3. Pour about half of the vinegar bottle. Depending on the size of your ice bucket, you may need to add more.

4. Try to maintain a water to vinegar ratio of 50 to 50.

5. Let the filter soak for at least 3 hours during the night.

6. Remove the filter and rinse thoroughly with the garden hose without vinegar.

7. Allow the filter to dry for 24 hours before replacing it in the tub.

8. Fill the tub through the filter and turn it on again to complete the process.

5. Clean Hot Tub Filter With Dishwasher

Have you ever wondered how to clean a whirlpool filter in the dishwasher? The washing of the filters in the hot tub in the dishwasher has become increasingly popular in recent years, along with increased cleaning with dishwashing detergent and clothing. It is very easy to clean a glass filter when you wash it in the dishwasher.

But remember that you should watch it closely when taking this route.

Filters that are washed in a dishwasher tend to disintegrate after cleaning than those that have been washed by another method. Cleaning whirlpool filters in dishwasher water may not be the best choice for heavily soiled filters.

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Note: It is possible to clean with this method without adding dishwashing detergent. For best results add detergent.

2. Remove the bath filter and place it in the top basket of your dishwasher.

3. Do not put any other utensils or other items in your dishwasher.

4. If you use dishwashing detergent, put it in the usual way in the compartment of your dishwasher.

5. Run the dishwasher as long as possible.

6. Remove the filter from the dishwasher.

7. Rinse the filter completely with the hose from your garden.

8. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before replacing it in your tub.

9. Fill the tub through the filter and turn it back on.

6. Cleaning Hot Tub Filters With Filter Cleaners

Of course you can not go wrong with a filter cleaner detergent. Although you may prefer to use household items to clean your filters, choosing a large filter cleaner is a good option if you find other methods that will not cut it. Many filter cleaners are designed to fight the bacteria that other types of cleaners may not handle, and there are even some filter cleaners designed to work with hard water calcium buildup. 

Materials Needed:

Process:

1. Take the filter out of your hot tub and place it on an area like your patio or a tarp in your yard.

2. Spray the filter generously with the filter cleaner of your spray bottle. Be sure to insert each fold of the filter media.

3. Allow the filter to stand for at least 2 hours to allow the cleaner to penetrate dirt and grime.

4. Use your garden hose to completely clean the filter.

5. Let the filter dry for 24 hours.

6. Use the old towel to dry well between the wrinkles before replacing the filter in your tub.

7. Note that the filter cleaner will cause a lot of foam in the water if you do not rinse the filter and dry it completely after cleaning it with this method.

8. Fill your tub through the filter and turn it back on.

Tricks and Tips To Get The Cleanest Filter

Now that you know about the various methods of cleaning the filter in your spa, you’re probably ready to start. However, there are some last minute tips and tricks that you should keep in mind before taking this important step in cleaning the spa.

• The hot tub filters must be dried before replacement. Even if you are tempted to put the filter back into the spa after rinsing, it is very important that you let it dry completely first. If there are residues of the cleaning solution in the filter cartridge, these residues are introduced into the water of the bathtub, if it is not allowed to dry. This can cause some foam to form in the water and also cause skin irritation.
• Very hard water can be too difficult to cleanse regularly. If the water is very hard, limescale is likely to accumulate in the filter media. In this case, it may be difficult to clean the filter regularly, and you may need to plan for more frequent replacement of the filter cartridge. Treating your water or installing a water softener are other options.
• Changing the tub filter can make the process much smoother. Work with two separate filters and switch between them for the best results. In this way, while one filter is left to dry for a few days, you can place the second filter in your tub. This reduces the downtime between the applications of the tub. 
• Filters older than one year should probably be replaced. If you do not use your tub frequently, you may want to replace the filter every two years instead of replacing it. However, if you are one year old and your filter looks worn, stop using it. Just replace it.
• Clean the filter housing each time you soak your filter cartridge. Normally you only have to clean the filter housing with a damp cloth. However, if there is a lot of dirt in your filter, you may need to scrub it a bit more. Do not skip this step when it is time to clean the filter as it will also reduce the dirt accumulation of filter media.
• Check your entire filter every time you perform a deep cleaning. Take this time to review the entire filtration system and check for damage or problem areas. You can see if anything seems to be loose, smoking or making a strange sound. This can help you to stop big problems before they occur.

Clean Hot Tub Filters The Easy Way

You should now know how to clean hot tub filters. The only thing left to do is choose your favorite hot tub filter cleaning method and get started.

Remember that it is not as difficult as it seems to clean your filters at home and is only a few steps to address this crucial part of maintaining the hot tub without having to involve a specialist.

All you have to do is collect your materials, prepare your dirty filter and start cleaning!

The post Get Clean Hot Tub Filters FASTER With These 6 EASY Solutions appeared first on Mr Water Geek.