Is your hot tub water cloudy? We know how frustrating this can be, but we also know how simple it is to fix. In this blog, we’re answering the question, how long does it take for cloudy hot tub water to clear?
What causes cloudy hot tub water?
Many elements can affect your hot tub’s water and sometimes make it cloudy. Usually, cloudy water is caused by an imbalance of one of your hot tub chemicals.
Balancing your hot tub’s water is very important and will get easier over time. You will need to use a range of chemicals and test the water regularly. This helps to ensure that the hot tub is safe for you and your guests to use. If your water is cloudy, it could be one of the following reasons.
Alkalinity and pH
These are two things that you must keep balanced in your hot tub. The optimum level of both should be displayed on the packaging for your testing strips. Testing strips are easy to use and will change colour to match the amount of the chemical in your water.
These two elements can help keep your water free from bacteria and other contaminants. You should ensure they are at the correct level before anyone uses your spa.
Chlorine or bromine
When you fill-up your spa, you will need to add chlorine or bromine to sanitise the water. This helps to keep the water free from germs and other elements. You can use either option for your spa, but one may be recommended more than another. You can speak to your spa provider to find out further details.
Spa filter
It’s important that you check your hot tub filter regularly to identify any damage. A damaged or dirty filter can cause dirty hot tub water as it cannot work efficiently. It’s a good idea to have a couple of hot tub filters so that you can clean them and allow them to dry out thoroughly before reusing them.
For the best results, use a specific filter cleaner. Visit our shop for all of your hot tub equipment.
Body oils and lotions
It’s always recommended that you ask all of your spa guests to shower before using it. Otherwise, you can end up with lotions and more in the water, which can make the water cloudy and dirty. You should be wary that any swimming costumes are also free from oils and excess washing products. A simple rinse out with warm water before use should work.
Too much foaming treatment
We understand that you want to solve any water issues as soon as you can, but it’s important that you use the correct products and do not exceed the recommended dose of treatment. Using too much of some hot tub water treatments can lead to cloudy water. Foamy hot tub water can also be frustrating, but there are ways to fix it.
Poor water care and water balance
Hot tub water care is very important, and is something that you should continue to refresh your memory on. Poor water care can lead to cloudy water that you don’t want to relax in. You can check out our hot tub cleaning guide to ensure that you have fresh water. You may also find that dead algae in the hot tub water can cause cloudy hot tub water. Some owners may also report milky hot tub water, but this is a different issue that requires different remedies.
How to fix cloudy hot tub water
Test the water
The first step you should take is to test the water using quality test strips. This will give you an indication of the chemical levels, and then you can go from there.
Depending on the results, you may need to add chemicals or add decreasers which will decrease the amount of that specific chemical. You can leave your hot tub running while you do this, as it will help to disperse the chemicals. Make sure that you also remove the hot tub cover and test the water again before use.
Shock the water
You can use shock treatments to reduce the cloudiness of your water. These shock treatments should be left in the water for a specific amount of time. This time will be listed within the instructions. You should then retest the water before you use the spa again and use a non-chlorine shock treatment.
What shall I do if my water is still cloudy after taking these steps?
Use a spa clarifier
It might be the case that your water remains cloudy despite taking the steps outlined above. In this case, you have a couple of options. You could use a water clarifier treatment. This helps to remove cloudiness and other dirt in the water. Make sure that you follow all guidance on the instructions.
Empty the hot tub water
If your water is still cloudy, then it might be a good idea to start the whole process again. This means you should empty the spa completely, clean the hot tub’s surfaces, rinse it and refill it. When the water is at its optimum level in the spa, you can test the water and add the correct amount of chemicals based on your reading. Once the chemicals have been added, wait a while before retesting again. This should help to solve the issue of cloudy hot tub water.
How long does it take for cloudy hot tub water to clear?
The length of time it takes for your hot tub water to be completely clear depends on the method you use to fix it. If you use shock treatment, the instructions should outline how long you will need to wait for the spa water to clear and when you can use the spa again. If you have to empty and refill the spa, it can take longer.
Generally, it usually takes 2 – 3 days for your spa water to become clear again. If your water continues to be cloudy, you may need to look into your water care methods and speak to the manufacturer.
We hope this blog has been helpful regarding cloudy spa water. We’re always happy to help customers with water chemistry and care. So, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions as a hot tub owner.
