Your Hot Tub cover is exposed to the elements all year round. The Sun’s UV rays, rain, snow, and ice can adversely affect your Hot Tub Cover. Proper maintenance will help your hot tub cover the last many years. Knowing which products to use, and which to avoid, can be the difference between a good return on your investment or a recurring expense. Here are some helpful ways to get the best life possible from your hot tub cover.
HOW TO CONDITION A HOT TUB COVER
After cleaning of your spa cover, your vinyl is prepped to receive a protectant. Without first cleaning the spa cover, the absorption of the protectant is limited, and protection is reduced. And, if after cleaning your spa cover, a protectant is not used, you may be amazed at how fast your spa cover gets dirty again. This is because cleaning your spa cover “opens up the pores” of the vinyl (much like skin), and dirt can gain a quick foothold – if not sealed up again with a bit of vinyl protection.
HOW TO CLEAN THE UNDERSIDE OF YOUR SPA COVER
Normally, the underside of your spa cover should not need cleaning, but if you notice a moldy, musty smell, or see dirt or discoloration on the surface, here’s a trick for cleaning that up. Fill a small spray bottle with a 10:1 solution of water: bleach, or a 10% solution of bleach. Do this after removing the spa cover from the spa. After spraying the plastic undersides, hose clean with fresh water.
Don’t use household cleaning chemicals on your spa cover – you may add phosphates or detergents to the spa which can contaminate the water and give you problems with algae, foaming – or both. Some cleansers can even be harmful to spa users if it gets into the spa water.
KEEP IT DRY
On very nice days, take the cover off your hot tub and unzip the zippers on the end of the cover to let it dry out for a couple of hours. This will keep your cover nice and light.
Covers can become waterlogged, and this can make your cover very heavy to take on and off your hot tub. Minimize the amount of water the cover soaks up by drying it once in a while, and you will ensure it stays nice and light as long as possible.
REPAIR IT
Over time, vinyl can tear or seams can open. Most covers have a zipper system that allows you to quickly remove the cover and check the foam. If water, or steam from your hot tub, finds its way past this barrier, you will notice quickly that your cover will become very heavy and may need to be replaced.
Inspect your cover to make sure it’s properly sealed. Use duct tape to temporarily repair any seams or areas that may allow water to seep into the foam. I recommend doing this a couple of times a year and before storing it away for the season.
Do you have any questions about cover cleaning or hot tub maintenance? Call us anytime! Call our showroom at 605 090 388.