Does your hot tub cover look dirty and unpleasant? Because it is the core defense of your hot tub from dirt and debris, gunk and grime can build up at some point. If you are unsure how to clean a hot tub cover, don’t fret because it is not as difficult as you think.
You can skip checking products on Amazon to help you clean your hot tub cover. Some basic household items can help you do the job. Use white vinegar, baking soda, and detergent with proper cleaning steps.
Cleaning your hot tub cover does not need to be expensive. Your kitchen cabinets can provide you with alternative cleaning agents. Read on to explore more!
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How Often Should You Clean a Hot Tub Cover?
A hot tub cover is critical in protecting your hot tub and helping you save money. It is the responsibility of the hot tub owner to check the hygiene of the hot tub cover. Keeping the hot tub cover clean protects it from common wear and tear issues and the growth of molds.
No doubt cleaning the hot tub cover has good benefits, but how often should you do it? Hot tub experts recommend cleaning your hot tub every one to three months. I highly recommend that you spare some time to do it every month.
Cleaning your hot tub cover every month will minimize the chance that you will deal with hard-to-remove gunk and grime. It makes the cleaning job easier and quicker. However, cleaning it once every three months will do if you are busy.
Hot tub maintenance checks are also usually done every three months. Therefore, it is a great idea to include cleaning your hot tub cover in your hot tub maintenance checklist. Doing this will ensure that you will not forget to do it.
Hot tub owners’ common mistake is skipping cleaning the cover during regular maintenance checks. They sometimes skip this after spot-checking and noticing that the cover is not yet dirty-looking.
However, I strongly suggest that you do not fall into this trap. If you skip the regular cleaning or maintenance of your hot tub cover, you strengthen the bond of dirt into it. You may also discover later on that molds start to build up.
Stick to your cleaning plan. Follow your schedule for cleaning your hot tub cover and do it properly. Cleaning can be fun at the end of the day.
Related Read: How to Get Water Out of Hot Tub Cover?
3 Ways to Clean a Hot Tub Cover with Household Items
There are ready-mixed products you can consider purchasing on Amazon or your local spa store to help you clean your hot tub cover. But do you need to buy one? Is there a way to clean your hot tub using basic household items?
Of course, it is possible! Your kitchen may have everything you need to start your hot tub cover cleaning project. You can consider using many products to clean your hot tub cover. You can learn to clean a hot tub cover using white vinegar, baking soda, and detergent below.
Cleaning Hot Tub Cover with White Vinegar
If you have performed some cleaning tasks before, you probably know that white vinegar is a powerful cleaning option. Yes, you read it right. White vinegar is not only used for cooking.
White vinegar has been helping many people to clean their faucets, shower, floors, appliances, and of course, hot tubs and their covers. Other types of household vinegar can also be used, but it is best to use white vinegar because it doesn’t stain.
What You Need
- White vinegar
- Water
- Mixing bucket
- Pressure hose or a garden hose
- Solution sprayer
- Soft-bristled brush
- Absorbent or microfiber cloth
How to do It
Step 1: Prepare a white vinegar-water solution. Most people use a 1:1 ratio, but you can make your solution milder by mixing one cup of white vinegar into two cups of water.
Step 2: Remove the hot tub cover.
Step 3: Lay the cover flat on a clean, flat, and smooth surface with the underside facing up. I recommend cleaning in an open space for convenience.
Step 4: Using your pressure hose, rinse the underside of the hot tub cover using plain water to remove any chemicals picked up from the hot tub water. Ensure to set the pressure to moderate to avoid damaging the cover.
Step 5: Spray the underside of the cover with your water and vinegar solution.
Step 6: Scrub the dirt and grime away using a cloth or a soft-bristled brush in a circular motion. Ensure to cover all the areas of the cover’s underside.
Step 7: Rinse the underside thoroughly with clean plain water. Step 8: Flip the cover around to start cleaning the top of your hot tub cover. Cleaning this portion usually requires more attention.
Step 9: Apply the process of cleaning the underside of the cover to clean the top portion. Be meticulous and ensure that all the gunk and grime are removed.
Step 10: Proceed to clean the side portion of your hot tub cover using the same cleaning procedure.
Step 11: Wipe away the water using your absorbent or microfiber cloth and let the hot tub cover dry naturally.
Step 12: Reinstall the cover.
Cleaning Hot Tub Cover with Baking Soda
Using baking soda is another natural way to clean your hot tub cover. Why does baking soda work for cleaning your hot tub cover or any surfaces? Its alkali nature helps dissolve dirt and grime easily in water.
What You Need
- Pack of baking soda
- Water
- Bucket
- Pressure hose or a garden hose
- Absorbent cloth
- Soft-bristled brush
How to do It
Step 1: Prepare the baking soda solution by mixing two parts of baking soda in one part of water. You can modify the solution ratio as you wish.
Step 2: Remove the hot tub cover to prepare it for cleaning.
Step 3: In an open space, lay the cover flat with the underside facing upwards.
Step 4: Rinse the underside of the hot tub cover using your mild-pressured hose.
Step 5: Apply the baking soda and water mixture or paste using a soft-bristled brush or a cloth.
Step 6: Let the soda paste stay on the surface for at least 40 minutes to optimize cleaning capability.
Step 7: Rinse the baking soda paste and ensure the underside is clean.
Step 8: Follow the same procedure to clean the top and the side portions of your hot tub cover.
Step 9: Use the absorbent cloth to remove the water from the hot tub surfaces and let it dry in the air.
Step 10: Put the cover back into the hot tub.
Some people combine the power of white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning. They say it works better in removing stains and grime on any surface. However, it is totally up to you which mixture to use.
Related Read: Does Baking Soda Raise pH in Hot Tub?
Cleaning Hot Tub Cover with Detergent
You can find a detergent pack in your kitchen or laundry area. This product is a basic cleaning need in every household. Yes, you can use a detergent to clean your hot tub cover.
Detergents are effective in removing stains, dirt, grime, and odor. It is used for cleaning various things, including bedsheets, clothes, jeans, etc. Similarly, you can also use it to clean your hot tub cover.
What You Need
- Detergent
- Water
- Bucket or basin
- Pressure hose or a garden hose
- Absorbent cloth
- Soft-bristled brush
How to do It
Step 1: Dissolve a pack of detergent in a basin or bucket until it bubbles.
Step 2: Disassemble the hot tub cover and lay it flat on a clean surface.
Step 3: Work on the underside of the cover first by rinsing it with plain water using your pressure hose. Make sure to set the pressure low to avoid damaging the cover.
Step 4: Flip the cover around to rinse the top of the cover. You can also work on the sides of the cover in this step.
Step 5: Brush the dirt and gunk away using the detergent solution and a soft-bristled brush. You can start working on the underside of the cover and progress to the top and side portions.
Step 6: Rinse the detergent properly using your pressure hose.
Step 7: When the cleaning is done, wipe the excess water using your absorbent cloth and allow the cover to dry naturally.
Step 8: Reassemble the cover on the hot tub.
Although detergent is an effective cleaning agent, hot tub experts do not highly recommend its usage because it can potentially cause your hot tub cover to fade. Detergents can also eat away the UV protectant on your hot tub cover.
Can You Machine-wash a Hot Tub Cover?
The jacket of your hot tub cover doesn’t work like a pillow where you can remove the jacket and load it into a machine for cleaning. The ideal way to clean the hot tub cover is to lay it on a flat surface and brush or wipe the dirt away with the help of a cleaning solution.
A pressure hose is the only machine to help you clean your hot tub cover. This machine can make your cleaning quicker and more convenient. However, you need to be extra cautious when using a pressure hose as you might damage your hot tub cover.
High-pressure water jets can cut about anything – even a diamond. Therefore, if you use your pressure hose, set the pressure low. The ideal pressure for cleaning is 1500 psi or lower.
Using a water jet or pressure hose to clean your hot tub cover is unnecessary. You can even use a regular dipper to rinse the dirt away. Of course, a garden hose is a very convenient alternative.
How to Dry a Wet Hot Tub Cover
There is no special method to dry a wet hot tub cover if we only talk about wet from the outside from cleaning it. You only need to remove the water using an absorbent or microfiber cloth. Then, let it dry naturally in the air and sunlight.
However, drying out a wet or waterlogged hot tub cover can be a concern. When cleaning your hot tub cover, it is very important to do spot checks to ensure that the cover is free from any punctures or damages that might allow the water to leak into the foam. Fixing any issues before you splash water on your hot tub cover is best.
Hot tub owners find it difficult to dry a waterlogged cover but consider the steps below to salvage your hot tub cover.
Step 1: Unzip the vinyl jacket of your hot tub cover and let the foam out.
Step 2: Expose the foam into direct air and sunlight standing.
Step 3: Flip the foam around to dry the other areas. The drying process may take several days, depending on how wet the foams are.
Step 4: Reverse the vinyl jacket to also dry it out. You can spray a mildew inhibitor when it dries to prevent mold build-up.
Step 5: Fix any punctures or damages on the jacket.
Step 6: If you successfully dry out the foam, reassemble everything, and you’re done.
If the above process does not work, you might consider replacing the hot tub cover.
What to Do to Prevent Mold on a Hot Tub Cover
Mold and mildew usually build up on the underside of your hot tub cover. This event is happening due to the hot, humid, and damp nature of your hot tub.
Below are some tips to prevent mold growth on your hot tub cover:
- Regularly clean your hot tub cover.
- Always keep the cover dry.
- Store the cover in a well-ventilated space if you are not using it.
- Use a cover protector.
- Spray your cover with a mildew inhibitor.
- When you notice signs of mold or mildew, clean it immediately and do not wait for it to worsen.
Conclusion
Cleaning your hot tub cover is essential to prolong its life and continue to serve you with its function. You can use several household items to clean the hot tub cover, including white vinegar, baking soda, and detergent.
You must inspect your hot tub cover regularly to spot signs of mold growth and clean it immediately. The frequency of your cleaning should be at least once within 1 to 3 months. However, the more often you do it, the better.
