You haven’t used your tub in a long time but before you turn it on and take the plunge there are a few steps you need to take. The water in your tub is old and full of bacteria which you must deal with before you use it. The filters and electrical system probably needs some care too before you start it up again.

Before restarting your hot tub, you will need to turn off ALL power to the hot tub. Electricity + Water = DANGER. We don’t want any accidents while getting your hot tub ready to go so better safe than sorry.

1. Drain the Hot Tub

Drain out ALL the old water. Over time, stagnant water will grow colonies of bacteria ready to make you sick. Make sure all the water is completely drained.

2. Flush the Hot Tub Jets

We suggest removing the filters and throw a jet/drain cleaner into the tub. Allow the jets to run for 1 hour to let the cleaner to do its job. Afterwards, drain the tub.

3. Clean the cover, inside the shell of the hot tub and the outside cabinet.

Wipe down the shell to remove any algae, dirt, etc. Take your time to hit every nook and cranny of the tub before you go any further.

4. Remove and clean your filters

While the hot tub is drained, remove the filters then clean or replace them. If the filters don’t look like they need cleaning, do it anyways to be safe. Follow these instructions to properly clean your filter: "How often should I clean/change my filter? What do I clean it with?"

5. Wait for your hot tub to dry.

Inspect your hot tub for any cracks, mildew, stains or other damage. Fix if necessary.

6. Check the wiring.

When your hot tub has been sitting unused for some time, we strongly suggest giving the electrical system a good check before you refill. If in doubt, call a qualified electrician to be safe.

7. Refill the hot tub.

Refill your hot tub, turn it on, and add chemicals (including sanitizer). Turn the jets on to circulate the chemicals through the water. Click here to learn how to properly add chemicals to your hot tub. Next, test the hot tub water to make sure everything checks out and is safe to use before a nice, long soak. Click here to learn how to properly test your hot tub water.