How To Clean A Hot Tub Cover

As much as it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of your hot tub, it is also important to keep the hot tub’s cover clean and free of debris. Hot tub cover cleanliness is especially vital for outdoor hot tubs getting in contact with external factors. Whether your hot tub is indoor or outdoor, special care and attention are to be given to its cover. 

Most hot tub covers are made from marine grade vinyl which is capable of handling moisture. The cover can be cleaned with a vinyl cleaner or even with just water and mild soap. It is important that both the top and the bottom of the cover be cleaned periodically.

Step 1 – Removing the cover

It is best to clean the cover after removing it from the hot tub in order to avoid any of the cleaning agents from entering the water. After removing the cover, place on a non-abrasive surface or lean it against the wall.

 Step 2 – Rinsing the cover

Using a hose and clean water, rinse the cover thoroughly. If your hot tub is placed outdoor, chances are it will have leaves, dirt, and droppings on the cover. Rinsing with plain water will ensure all of this is removed.

Step 3 – Scrubbing the cover

Once the rinsing is done, use a soft cloth or sponge dipped in soapy water to scrub the surface mildly. Make sure you are not using laundry detergent or any other harsh soaping solution for this purpose. The scrubbing action should be gentle to avoid the cover from getting scratched.

 Step 4 – Rinsing thoroughly

After a good scrub, rinse the cover off any soap solution and dirt. Check for any remaining stains and repeat the scrubbing till the stains vanish.

 Step 5 – Flip and repeat

Once the top side is cover, flip the cover and repeat the same process on the bottom side.

 Step 6 – Inspect the inside

Hot tub covers have access to the vapor barrier inside which can be inspected for any rips or damage. If there are any damages on the inner foam or vapor barrier, fix them using a tap or sealer.

Step 7 – Drying the cover

Do not use any additional heat source to dry the cover. It is best to let the cover air dry completely. Additionally, you can use a dry washcloth to gently rub off excess water from the cover.

 Step 8 – Conditioning the cover

Although optional, this step will ensure the cover lasts longer and stays protected from the suns rays. There are many protectants available for marine grade vinyl surfaces, but make sure to avoid products which are petroleum, silicone or citrus based.

Come spring and there is a high chance that your hot tub’s cover has tree sap stuck on it if you have maple, elm, willow or pine trees in its vicinity. Tree sap is usually sticky and difficult to remove. In order to get rid of such stubborn stains, along with the aforementioned steps, you will need a special cleaning agent like vegetable oil or mayonnaise. Oils will help break down the sap, making it easier to them scrub off.

Alternatively, you can use one cup of bleach in one-gallon water for stubborn stains like droppings. Just apply this to the stain and thoroughly rinse thereafter. There should be no residue of the cleaning agent or stubborn stain left on the cover.

Does your Hot Tub cover stink? Well, its probably due to mold and mildew build up that could have formed due to the following reasons:

1. The hot tub cover may be broken, thus allowing steam and rain to get inside the cover and create mold.
2. You don’t remove the cover from the hot tub often.
3. The cover is made of cheap material.
4. It hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
5. Poor water chemistry that harbors bacteria.

In order to get rid of the smell, ensure that you are doing the following:

1. Maintain a ph of 7.4 to 7.6 and an alkalinity of 80-120ppm in the hot tub water.
2. Ensure that the sanitizer level is good.
3. Clean the cover regularly and let it dry properly before placing it back on the hot tub.
4. Replace the cover every once in a while, because covers have a certain life span attached to them.
5. Use a hot tub cover protectant before you place the cover back on the hot tub.

Hot Tub covers are prone to the growth of mildew, moss, and mold. Depending on the environment you live in, special care needs to be given to your hot tub’s cover to prevent it from getting built up with mold. Using a mild cleansing agent and sponge will suffice the cleaning of mold and mildew.

In order to prevent any further build-up, apply a protectant to the surface after rinsing off the cleaning agent and drying the cover subsequently. A protectant will ensure the cover is resistant to mold build up in the future. Another way of preventing the mold build up is to avoid storing anything on the cover. Don’t allow twigs, leaves or other debris to sit for too long on the cover and these can also aid in the mold build up.