We get it. Your hot tub and spa is your happy place. It's where you unwind, forget the stresses of the day and recharge for the challenges of the morrow. But what's all that going to give you when you can't even use your hot tub and spa? You can't use it since you weren't able to apply the basic hot tub and spa maintenance tips you should follow as often as possible.

No need to worry. We got you covered. We are here to share with you the essential, practical and no-sweat hot tub and spa maintenance tips that everyone who wants to enjoy their hot tubs to the fullest potential should learn a thing or two about.

1. Start with the basics

Don't overthink it. When you cover the basics in hot tub and spa maintenance, the great arduous work is half the battle. This starts by taking a moment first to familiarize with some essential terms to remember right before sinking yourself into your bubbly, comforting spa.

Terms to familiarize yourself with would be: the difference between a portable spa to a standard spa; the famous brand name "Jacuzzi"; and the vital statistics in your spa, such as: maximum water capacity, hard water, and the circulation.

We suggest you get the hot tub cleaning tools and accessories from established and trusted brands. A good hot tub cleaning product we can recommend is the APG-U-DP-06 OZONATOR made by Del Ozone because of its established reputation of being effectively able to kill the bacteria and other contaminants in the water, as well as sanitize it through the process of converting oxygen into ozone.

2. Circulation and Cleaning

An important thing to remember with your hot tub is to make sure that the flowing water is always running clean. The better the circulation, the more free the hot tub from contaminants. It's also advisable to check whether the water is running through the tub's cartridge filters without issues.

The manual hot tubs require you to turn them on for 15 to 20 minutes, for at least twice a day. Sure, an automatic cycle's going to make this step easier, but manual style still has its own charms. Either way, just make sure to run your hot tub regularly to keep it clean.

Should you find problems with cartridge filters, it's best to just get brand-approved and compatible cartridge filters to replace them. We highly recommend the Pure & Clean Cartridge and Grid Cleaners from Filbur Manufacturing because the company is already one of today's most established brands that offer quality cartridge and filter cleaning solutions globally.

Pure ‘n Clean™ is the ULTIMATE professional grade cartridge, DE filter cleaner, and it's a fast-action multipurpose cleaner that removes calcium, minerals, dirt, oils, and scale.

3. Off-Peak Hours Use

Another good tip for maximizing your hot tub without the extra cost is to use them during off-peak hours use. Paying less electricity is always a good bonus, and this way, you can get more out of your hot tub and still let the water run and move more freely.

4. Hot Tub Routine Cleaning

Cleaning your hot tub means you're freeing it from the elements that contribute to adding more scum. There is an added risk of scum when your spa's outdoors, since the leaves, trash blown away by wind as well as dead critters will be added factors to consider.

Other than covering the tub when it's not in use, a weekly cleaning with some white vinegar, sponge or the use of baking soda can already go a long way to keep the tub, its shell and jets clean or scum-free. Make sure you include scrubbing the line of scum you can find in the tub's edges.

If those are a bit hard to remove, a good use of Spa Bromine Tabs & Chlorine Tablets will do the trick. We highly recommend you get the1140002 Seaklear 3.5# Bromine Tabs because this is better than traditional liquid spa chlorine as it has the added ability to fit in most spa feeders and floaters to sanitize your hot tub or spa better.

5. Spa Filters

The spa filters are a big help in keeping your hot tub or spa clean, but they can do their job better if you clean them regularly, probably every week. These filters work by letting water pass through them and trapping the unwanted particles away in their folds. By a simple combo of spraying a spa-specific cleaning agent to the filters, soaking them in it for a while, and rinsing them off with water, your spa filters will last longer.