5 Tips for Using Your Spa in the Summer

Written by Poolonomics; a blog that helps pool and spa owners spend more time enjoying a soak, and less time managing it.

Summer is coming, and it’s time to hop into your spa to cool off. We’ve made a list of 5 tips for using your spa in the summer, so you can sit back, relax, and soak in the sun!

Hot tubs are a great way to relax if you’re feeling any aches and pains or just looking to kick back. There are even a couple other potential health benefits of soaking in your spa. But, there’s also a few points to keep in mind to ensure your spa is up to scratch and that you’ll have the best experience. 

Grab your sunglasses and have a beverage in hand, it’s summer season in the spa!  

1. Give it a Thorough Clean in the Lead Up

Cleaning and changing filters is essential in the lead up to summer spa sessions. You’ll need to clean your filters regularly and change them out with new ones to ensure cleanliness. 

It’s all about making sure your hot tub is more of a spa experience and less of a bath. There’s nothing worse than hopping into a spa and seeing cloudy, murky water. To have a relaxing experience you’ll need to make sure you have the best-filtered water you possibly can. . 

Draining and then refilling your spa can be a lengthy task so I'd recommend doing it before the summer season. Try to make a habit and a routine out of draining and refilling your spa every 3 to 4 months - you will see the difference. 

While the hot tub is drained, you’re able to see and pick up any possible errors. This is the perfect time to check the filters, jets, pumps, valves, and pipes. 

While you have an empty tub, get to scrubbing any dirt build-up that may occur from the weather, chemicals, or lotion. 

Once you’ve checked all and cleaned, refill your spa and take a dip to test it out! 

2. Move Your Spa to a Shaded Area

The position of your spa is instrumental to its lifespan. Direct sunlight can damage your spa’s liner, so make sure to place your spa in a shady area like under a gazebo or canopy. It’s also beneficial for you, because who wants to sit directly in the scorching sun? 

An added benefit of moving your spa to a shaded area is that there’s no need for sunscreen. Sunscreen, although fantastic for our skin, is a no-no for the tub because it’ll lower water quality.

After recent global events, we’re all aware of the importance of sanitizer. Spas are no different, they need a lot of sanitizer for cleaning treatments, but unfortunately, direct sunlight burns it up. You’ll burn through sanitizer, quite literally, so save on chemical costs and place some shade over your spa. 

If you’ve got sensitive skin or are looking into a sanitizer alternative, check out some alternatives to chlorine and bromine.

3. Try Lowering the Temperature

A spa doesn’t have to feel like a sauna. Turn down or lower the temperature in the summer months to cool down on warm summer days. Turn the temperature to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your body temperature cool. 

As you lower the temperature, you should also keep the jets running. The jets help circulate the cooler water adding to a refreshing dip in the tub. 

Remember to keep the cover on your hot tub. It may seem like a simple tip, but during a hot summer day, you may forget to put the cover back on. Keeping the cover on will help stop the cold water from turning into a lava pit. 

4. Invest in Some Summer Accessories

Spas feel like the height of luxury. To add to the relaxing and cool experience, why not invest in a couple drink holders? Who wants to get out the tub when you could have a refreshing beer at arms reach? 

Nowadays, there’s all sorts of drink holders. A fun addition to your spa kit are inflatable drink holders, as they come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Seriously, these things can even hold wine bottles.

Invest in an outdoor foot bath to wash off grass and dirt before hopping in the tub. It’s well worth the investment, especially if you have kids. Buying a little foot bath or foot scrubber mat can make a big change to the look of the spa’s water at the end of the day. 

You could also place a couple padded waterproof pillows in a basket on the side of your spa to ensure ultimate comfort for you and your guests. 

Who doesn’t love to be comfy, so why should your spa be any different? If your back and neck get a little uncomfortable, try a waterproof pillow to help you soak for longer.

5. Keep Tabs on Your Chemical Levels

It’s very important to keep up with checking the chemical balance of your spa. It’s actually easier than it may seem as you can dip in testing strips to check the chemical levels. 

The more you use your spa, the more you’ll need chemical treatment. Generally, you’ll need to balance the PH level, total alkaline, chlorine/ bromine, and calcium hardness. 

Also, remember that more exposure to sunlight will lead to higher bromine loss. Be sure to consider this while balancing your chemical levels.

Conclusion

There you have it, a few little tips and tricks that’ll help you stay cool in summer. 

We hope you’ve found some helpful advice for your spa and hot tubbing experience. Keep cool and soak the summer away.