Spa Chemicals and Hot Tub Maintenance

One of the things that I look forward to most when I finish a long day of work is getting home and relaxing. I know I’m hardly alone in that sentiment. What’s my preferred method, though? Well, I like to enjoy my hot tub.
You might know them as a jacuzzi or a spa tub, but whatever you opt to call them, there’s no denying that they’re an indulgent treat for anyone looking to enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, there is maintenance involved in owning one. What does that look like, and do the benefits outweigh that nuisance?
Overall Value
If you’re wondering whether they add value to your home, well…they do! You can see some evidence of that here: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/hot-tub-pros-and-cons/. I know that if you’re not planning on selling your property any time soon it might not seem like a big deal, but we never know where life is going to take us.
Here’s the thing about the worth of one. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether you are going to get usage out of it. If you don’t think so, well, obviously you probably shouldn’t get one. However, if it’s something you and/or your family and friends are going to love, the experiences you get from it can justify the price tag!
If you are focusing on making your home more attractive to potential buyers, one strategy you might use is to incorporate your tub into your outdoors design. When they are added into this sort of atmosphere and look beautiful, it can certainly add some value to the property.
The Benefits
If you’re a fan of making a spa night for yourself and prefer to go the do-it-yourself way rather than purchase a session, having a jacuzzi can really enhance your experience. For those that like the idea of this, try checking out this article for some inspiration on how to make that dream a reality.
A large part of creating a successful haven yourself is preparation. In this context, that could include a number of things – but you should probably think about what sorts of treatments you enjoy most. Get face masks, if that’s your thing. Maybe you prefer a manicure or pedicure – you can do that too!
Again, it will mostly depend on what you want to accomplish. Still, some of the basics are having towels and a bath robe at the ready, so you can immerse yourself even once you leave your tub. Scented candles or incense can go a long way in setting the stage as well!
In this vein, it’s probably a good idea to plan out the evening, at least to some extent. For anyone who prefers to go with the flow, just give yourself a variety of options and pick what speaks most to you in the moment. I like to keep things like a bath scrub, a face treatment, and several different scented creams or lotions on hand for pampering.
Now, this isn’t the only reason you might want to have one. Entertaining is another big one – especially with friends. You can have the home that everyone wants to visit if you have guests over and let them enjoy your jacuzzi. Just remember that the more people use it, the more you need to clean it.
How do We Clean Them?
You can approach this problem with a few methods, but most of them might have you buy hot tub chemicals online in one form or another because of their place in sanitation. However, before we get there, you should know the cardinal rule of having one: maintain good water circulation. This helps prevent contamination before it starts!
Now, there are a lot of models that have a built-in circulation system. If you haven’t gotten one yet, I do recommend investing in one. This type will ensure the water runs once or twice a day. If yours doesn’t, though, be sure to do it manually.
One tip that I have is that you create a schedule or routine for yourself when it comes to cleaning your tub. In most cases, a weekly scrub will suffice. If you have one outdoors, just be sure you watch for any debris, especially after a rainstorm. Leaves, sticks, or even insects might make their way into the water, none of which are fun spa-mates.
Finally, you need to maintain the chemical balance of the water, which is where those aforementioned substances come into play. There are a few essentials you should look for a kit: pH balancers (for both ends of the spectrum, so increasing or decreasing pH levels), sanitizer (usually chlorine), alkalinity increaser, shock, and a liquid test kit.
Be sure you test your water regularly and watch for any imbalances. The treatments are fairly easy to do yourself with the correct tools.