Coming home to a cloudy and foamy hot tub is a nightmare, especially if all you ever want when coming home to a long day is to relax in a warm bath.
Unsurprisingly, hot tub owners will occasionally suffer foggy or foamy water while they own a hot tub. There is no need to worry about this because specific techniques can be used to quickly solve these issues.
If you want to know why this happens, make sure to stick to this article until the end.
7 Reasons Why Hot Tub Water Is Cloudy And Foamy
Hot tub water can get cloudy and foamy primarily because it is old and has to be replaced. Every three to four months, the water in your hot tub should be drained and replaced with fresh water, even if it contains chemicals or sanitizers.
Aside from that, here are the culprits to blame for a cloudy and foamy hot tub.
Low Sanitizer Level
Adding chlorine or bromine to hot tub water stops the growth of bacteria and eliminates other undesirable elements. Owners of hot tubs are advised to use hot tub chemicals like chlorine because it complements the filtration system better. But when there is a decrease or absence of these sanitizers, there is a good likelihood that it will result in hot tub foam and cloudiness.
Unbalanced Levels Of Alkalinity And pH
Hot tub water components, including hydroxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates, are measured for alkalinity. These substances prevent microbial growth and cloudiness in drinking water when present in the right amounts. The total alkalinity of the water in your hot tub should be between 80 and 150 parts per million when you test it.
To avoid harmful circumstances, the hot tub water should have a balanced, consistent pH level. High pH can result in murky water, irritation of the eyes or skin, scale buildup, and ineffective chlorine application. Your water’s pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
Problems With Hot Tub Filters
One of the most crucial parts of your hot tub is the filter. Filters remove substances constantly entering the hot tub water, such as dust, debris, algae, etc. Filters cannot function properly if blocked or installed improperly, which might result in hazy and foamy hot tub water. That is why you should use a filter cleaner.
Hot Tub Defoamer
If you notice foam on the surface of your hot tub water, you might use a defoamer. However, the hot tub water may turn cloudy or milky if this product is used excessively.
Body Care Items
Everything you wear on your body can alter the water when you enter a hot tub. Products like body lotion, detergents in bathing suits, moisturizers, and body oils can result in a variety of problems, from cloudy water and foamy hot tub water to “using up” the sanitizer. If more people are utilizing it, you can notice that the water in your hot tub is not clear or clean.
Before jumping in, washing off or having a shower could seem like a hassle. But it can stop a lot of problems with water maintenance.
Frequent Usage
You can be the one to blame for cloudy water or foam if you use your hot tub frequently. Dead skin cells and oil from your skin are expelled when you relax in your hot tub. Both have the potential to upset the water balance in your spa.
Foods Or Drinks
If you eat or drink in the hot tub, the water balance will be ruined by crumbs and spillage causing a cloudy hot tub water. Drinks and food should be kept out of your spa to prevent contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about a milky hot tub water or cloudy hot tub water.
Will Shocking A Hot Tub Reduce Foam?
Yes. Wash off before using your spa to help avoid or reduce foam, and use a shock treatment designed for spas and hot tubs every month to help remove organic impurities. For instance, a Chlorine Free Spa Shock (MPS) should be done every week. Chlorine Free Spa Shock has no smell or taste, is chemical free, and aids in the oxidation of your spa water.
How Long Does It Take For Cloudy Hot Tub Water To Clear?
Your hot tub water may clear in two to three days, depending on how foamy or hazy it is. If you are using a clarifier, you’ll need to maintain your water’s chemistry, run your filter continuously, and add the right amount of clarifier every other day until the water is clear.
How Do I Keep My Hot Tub Water Crystal Clear?
Check the pH and alkalinity of the water. A water test strip and drop-style kits can be used to test your water. Perform a shock treatment, inspect and clean the filters, use algaecide or a water clarifier, and drain and refill the hot tub if nothing else works.
Should A Hot Tub Be Crystal Clear?
Your hot tub’s water always has to be hygienic and clear. If it’s not, there must be an issue. A chemical imbalance or bacterial development is the usual cause of cloudy water.
Does Too Much Chlorine Cause Cloudiness?
The water in your pool or hot tub may cloud if there is too much chlorine. The sensitive pH balance can be upset when there are too many contaminants in your water. Any pool chemical used in excess can result in murky water.
Can A Cloudy Pool Be Cleaned Using Baking Soda?
In a pool, baking soda can be very effective. Baking soda can assist in cleaning hazy water and bringing back its clearness.
Conclusion
If there is a sure indicator for cloudy and foamy hot tub water, it would be that it is not clean. In such occurrences, avoid staying in the hot tub and figure out the causes as to why it is happening in the first place. Check out the lists above to see if any of these resonates with your problem. Then make sure to do the necessary treatments to keep your hot tub water clean and clear again so you can enjoy a fun and relaxing warm bath experience.
