Can One Use Softened Water In My Hot Tub?

Can One Use Softened Water In My Hot Tub?

Softened water is water that has undergone a process of ion exchange, usually involving some form of salt.

This process removes some minerals, so soft water is typically lower in calcium and magnesium than regular tap water.

No. Softened water contains minerals that will eventually clog up the filters and potentially cause a leak. It’s not recommended to use softened water with a hot tub. If you want to use softened water, you should mix it with regular tap water before feeding them into the hot tub.

If you need reasons as to why softening your private hot tub’s regular tap is a bad idea, consider these:

1. Hardening minerals can damage plumbing components.
2. Hardening minerals may damage the environment.
3. Softening minerals in the hot tub can reduce value in your home.
4. Softened water will reduce your hot tub’s efficiency.
5. The minerals can clog up filters, potentially causing leaks.
6. You may not filter the softened water before it’s fed into the hot tub, and it could contain contaminants from the softened water source, like lead from old pipes or PVC from old plastic piping.
7. It will increase your water usage and improve the salt you need to use.
8. You might find softened water scaled-like, making it feel rough in your spa or too slippery for underwater exercises like swimming or diving.
9. Your skin won’t absorb minerals from the water, leading to dry skin. Thus, many dermatologists recommend against using softened water in a hot tub.
10. The minerals may speed up the corrosion of metal components.

Can You Put Himalayan Salt In A Hot Tub?

Yes. You can put Himalayan salt in hot tubs. Himalayan salt is a rock salt usually mined from Pakistan.

It has a shallow content of free sodium chloride because it comes from ancient sea beds that have been completely covered with other minerals for thousands of years, including quartz and potassium chloride.

It also contains 84 minerals and electrolytes, including magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, etc.

You can put Himalayan salt in your hot tub to help balance the water’s pH levels & to aid detoxification processes.

It also supplies your skin with a multitude of minerals essential for the proper functioning of your body.

However, it’s essential to remember not to let the salt dissolve completely in the water. The good crystals should remain intact.

If you dissolve too much salt into the water, it will change the water’s pH balance and cause a mineral imbalance in your spa hot tub.

The water will then become too alkaline, which can cause unwanted problems such as

1. The pH level of the water may read 6.5–7.5 depending on how much salt you use. To balance the pH levels, you may need to add more alkaline substances to bring the pH back into a normal range.
2. These solutions can include hypochlorite (bleach), bromine, chlorine dioxide, and calcium chloride (added before using salt). Also, the presence of bromine can cause your skin to become dry and itchy.
3. The increased alkalinity of the water can cause residue deposits of calcium carbonate or calcium bicarbonate on the heating elements, which will cause them to stick or clog. This will eventually ruin your heaters.
4. If you use a lot of salt, it could also cause corrosion.

The salts in Himalayan salt are also well known to stimulate the immune system, improve eye function and reduce inflammation.

How Do You Treat Soft Water In A Hot Tub?

You can treat soft water in a hot tub just like hard water by changing the water regularly.

Treat the water in a hot tub like you would any other water by replacing it with softened water (not cold) and then heating it to 170°F before you get in.

This helps ensure that the spring works correctly and doesn’t run dry. Trickling heated, softened tap water into the shaft of an unplugged tub keeps the spring running smoothly.

For best results, replace 50 percent of your bath’s water with softened tap or bottled water every day. This will ensure smooth, silky-feeling water that isn’t too scummy.

Another way to treat soft water is to have a hot tub cleaner pump your softened water into the circuit.

This is a fantastic option for those keeping their tub running but who don’t have time to add water regularly.

Adding softened water to an existing hot tub circuit is easy to ensure trouble-free, silky feeling water.

Swimming pools and hot tubs are extremely similar regarding how you clean them.

You need to call a professional when the filtration system becomes clogged with dirt or contaminants, as not all hot tub owners know how to fix this problem.

You should clean hot tubs every one to two weeks, as these hot tubs attract various types of bacteria and germs that are not dispersed by water alone.

This can cause a wet and smelly hot tub, which is why it’s essential to clean your hot tub regularly.

Besides being an effective way to treat soft water, having an automatic water level control system in your tub can make it easy for you to have the perfect temperature of your hot tub at all times.

Is It Better To Fill A Hot Tub With Hard Or Soft Water?

It’s better to fill a hot tub with soft water. If the water is hard, the minerals and other substances will precipitate and clog pipes and damage bathing appliance surfaces.

However, if you want to use hard water for your hot tub, you should dilute it with an equal amount of soft or distilled water.

Soft water is less corrosive than hard water and better for skin and hair

If you want to use hard water in your hot tub, you should dilute it with an equal amount of soft or distilled water.

Before filling a hot tub with water, read the care manual that came with your hot tub.

The manual may even suggest a certain amount of soft or distilled water to add if the water is hard. Some spas can handle more minerals in their water while others cannot.

But it’s always best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions.

When filling a hot tub with water, it is best to use cold or room temperature water, soft (mineral free) tap water, or distilled water.

Depending on the mineral content in the water supply, these factors may influence your decision about the kind of water to use for filling a hot tub.

Some people recommend using the warmest water that the hot tub can handle, but this is unnecessary.

In addition, it’s best to wait until the water reaches its operating temperature before adding it to the hot tub to avoid scalding or burning yourself when you get in.

If you live in a hard water area and would like to use hard water, it’s recommended to fill a hot tub with soft or distilled water.

It’s always best to consult the hot tub’s instruction manual or the manufacturer for recommendations regarding filling a hot tub with hard or soft water.

Can You Put A Bubble Bath In A Hot Tub?

No. This isn’t safe. The heat from the hot tub can release the bubbles and cause a spill, and then you’ll have a lot of frothy bubbles floating around your hot tub.

You could get burned or inhale toxic chemicals. Instead, try putting some regular bath soap in your hot tub to create bubbles for you.

Ensure to follow the directions on the package of soap that you’re using so it doesn’t dissolve too quickly or cause any damage to your equipment.

When you add bath soap to the hot tub, you’ll get a lot of foam. Now, many people find this annoying, but others find it fun.

If you find it annoying, though, you can always use a skimmer to keep the bubbles at a minimum in your hot tub. It’s also fun for kids.

When learning how to set up your hot tub correctly, make sure that you have your hot tub chemicals tested regularly by an accredited pool and spa store or testing laboratory.

This can save your investment by protecting against expensive problems.

How Do You Take Care Of A Saltwater Hot Tub?

You can use several ways to take care of a saltwater hot tub. Such methods include using spa packs, chlorine tablets, hydrogen peroxide, bromine tablets, or ozone.

You should experiment to find out what your tub likes best. It is also important to remember that every saltwater system is different, so you will have to adjust your care routine accordingly.

If you are using chlorine tablets or chlorine injection, it’s recommended that you keep the temperature between 104° – 115°F while maintaining a pH of 7-7.5.

Use 1-3 chlorine tablets per day for every 100 gallons of water, and never use more than 8 per day. Inject the chlorine by periodically bouncing the skimmer for about 10 minutes.

If you are using bromine tablets or bromine injection, it’s recommended to keep the temperature between 102° – 104°F and maintain a pH of 7-7.5.

Use 2-4 bromine tablets per day for every 100 gallons of water, and never use more than 8 per day. Use brominating drops every 2-4 days for every 100 gallons of water.

If you are using ozone, use 3-6 oz/day of ozonated water for every 100 gallons of water, and never use over 10 oz/day.

For the most efficient use, always run the spa pack between 104° – 115°F and maintain a pH of 7-7.5. It’s recommended to use a spa ionizer to maximize the effectiveness of the ozone.

Setting up a saltwater system can confuse and be very frustrating. Open the return line and fill up a bucket or container with 5-10 gallons of water to add salt.

Then, add half of your initial amount of Saltwater Spa Pacs (example: if you need 500 gals, add 1000 gals. This way, you can test out your level without having to drain any water).

If your water is cold, you may consider adding a little extra salt.

Bring your water sample to a local pool supply store and ask them for their free salt test kit to test your salinity levels. Also, if you have a spa ionizer, you can use it to adjust the level of salt.

When setting up a new hot tub, adding too much salt can be just as bad as not adding enough.

The general rule of thumb is adding at least one lb. of Saltwater Spa Pacs for every 100 water gallons in your hot tub.

By adding the correct amount of salt, you will have the best chance of having a trouble-free setup and smooth running system.

How Do You Convert A Hot Tub To Saltwater?

Converting a hot tub to salt water is simple. Here is what you need to do:

1. Completely drain your hot tub and remove all the water
2. Mix a few cups of salt into a gallon of distilled water and pour it into your hot tub
3. Add a couple of tablespoons of chlorine remover to the saltwater mix
4. Wait 24 hours for enough time so that the conversion can take place
5. Fill your hot tub with fresh water and enjoy.
6. Rinse the tub out a couple of times every week to maintain it.

If you want a non-chemical process, add some Epsom salts to your hot tub water and let the sulfur do its work. You can also find instructions online to create your mineral pack.

You will have to add some liquid chlorine as a preservative, and you may have to use an anti-foaming agent in your hot tub.

Will Epsom Salt Ruin A Hot Tub?

Yes. Epsom salt ruins hot tubs by corroding the plumbing, the filter, and the entire system. It’s preferable to use plain ol’ table salt as an alternative to adding more chemicals into these spaces.

The only time you should ever use Epsom salt is if you are disinfecting your hot tub for short-term storage or a party that will last less than 24 hours.

You can use Epsom salt in some baths and showers, but you must mix it with other ingredients like baking soda or vinegar to work correctly.

You must also use it with boiling water before using cold water to prevent corrosion.

Remember, the filters do not clean hot tubs; they are usually cleaned by backwashing.

The filter is not a cleaning agent; it’s just a way to remove dust and other particles from the hot tub during use.

So, if you let your filter run until it stops, it will not clean the water, and you don’t need to replace them every year since they will last much longer than that.

Conclusion

Softened water is excellent for people with sensitive skin and hair, but it can also be a little harsh on your hot tub’s equipment.

The best way to get the benefits of the soft water while maintaining your equipment is by installing an ionizer in the hot tub.

The ionizer purifies the water by binding to the impurities and removing them without causing them damage. This allows you to enjoy soft water without worrying about damaging your equipment.