The Basics of Hot Tub Chemicals
Relaxing in a hot tub can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. What many people don’t realize, however, is that there is a lot of maintenance involved in keeping your hot tub clean and safe for use. One of the most important elements of this maintenance is using chemicals such as bromine, shock, clarifiers, natural enzymes and defoamers. Let’s take a look at each of these chemical components and what they do for your hot tub.
Keeping your hot tub in top condition requires the use of several different chemicals. It may seem intimidating to new hot tub owners, but once you understand the basics it becomes much simpler.
Bromine & Chlorine – Both bromine and chlorine are used to sanitize water and kill bacteria. Bromine is more stable at higher temperatures, making it better suited for hot tubs than chlorine. However, chlorine can be used if you don’t have access to bromine or prefer its scent. Bromine is a chlorine alternative that works to break down organic contaminants like sweat and body oils faster than chlorine. Its milder than chlorine, so it makes it easier on skin and eyes while still providing the same level of sanitation as chlorine. It also doesn’t need to be added on a regular basis like chlorine does.
Shock – Shock treatment is used to oxidize dissolved organic contaminants that can build up over time in your hot tub water and cause cloudy water or odors. Adding shock will help eliminate these toxins quickly and effectively.
Clarifiers – Clarifiers are used to help keep your water crystal clear by removing dirt particles from the water itself. The clarifier binds small particles together so they can be more easily filtered out of the water.
Natural Enzymes – Natural enzymes are great for breaking down oil residue from sunscreen and other products that may have been introduced into the hot tub water by swimmers. These enzymes work with bacteria to break down any oils or residues that have built up over time, helping keep your hot tub looking clean and clear without using harsh chemicals or sanitizers.
Defoamers – Foaming can occur when soap residue or other oils accumulate in your hot tub water over time. Defoamers help reduce this foaming by breaking down the surface tension on the bubbles caused by soap residue or other compounds that may have been introduced into the water through swimmers, detergents or bath oils. Defoamers also help prevent future foam buildup when used regularly after each soak session!
Keeping your hot tub clean and safe for use isn’t always easy but it doesn’t have to be very difficult either. By understanding which chemicals you need in order to maintain healthy levels of sanitation you can ensure your soaking experience is always pleasant. With regular use of these five essential chemicals – bromine/chlorine, shock, clarifiers, natural enzymes and defoamers – you can keep your hot tub clean and sparkling all year long.
If you’re unsure about how much or how often you should add each chemical to your hot tub, feel free to reach out to our team here at PoolAndSpa.com for advice! We are always happy to help our customers get their best spa experience possible! 800-876-7647.
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