Hot Tub Bubble Bath
Can I put bubble bath solution in my hot tub?
The simple answer is no.
It can ruin the pump and jet system, leaving you with unrepairable damages.
Beyond that, there are other reasons why you should not ever put bubble bath solution in a hot tub, which we will discuss in the rest of this article.
Continue reading to learn more!
Is Putting Bubble Bath In A Hot Tub Safe?
While filling your hot tub or jetted tub with bubble bath won't do any harm to you, it can do harm to the hot tub's equipment.
Bubble bath solution produces bubbles in excess. With so many bubbles, the internal equipment in the hot tub can easily become overwhelmed. Plus, with the jets on, it can stir up the bubbles even more, making it difficult for you to sit and relax.
One of the first things that happens when you put bubble bath in a hot tub is you get tons of bubbles that overflow the tub. This can block out the controls and make an absolute mess that is hard to clean up. The reason bubbles become so overwhelming when in a hot tub is that you're mixing them with air.
Plus, the more bubbles that you add to your hot tub, the harder it will be to get rid of them. It's very difficult to get this solution out of your hot tub once you put it in. Even if you are able to clear the initial bubbles out of the interior, they will reappear every time you turn your jets back on, as the air will push any residue left in the pumps back out into the water.
The only way to fully remedy this problem is to drain your spa completely before you use it again.
In the worst-case scenario, the bubble excess can wear your pumps down, as they'll have to work harder to push all of the water through. You may even have to replace your pump.
Should I Drain My Hot Tub If I Put Bubble Bath In It?
If you only put a very small amount of bubble bath in your hot tub, you might be able to remove the top bubbles with a pool skimming net.
However, if you have tons of bubbles in your tub to the point where it is overflowing, you will likely have to drain, rinse, and refill.
Whatever the case is, you will still want to take your filters out to rinse them off as well.
If you need to get rid of an excessive amount of bubbles, start by turning your jets off. Skim as much of the solution as you can off the top of the spa water.
You might be left with some soap residue, which you can eliminate by sprinkling a little bit of salt atop the surface of the water.
After adding salt, it is very important to check your alkalinity and pH levels, adjusting them if need be.
Remove the filter from your spa and use your hose to spray it down for a few minutes. It is crucial to get into your filter's pleats, as there could be soap stuck in there. Luckily, there are plenty of filter cleaning tools on the market that you can use to do this.
Once all the soap is gone, add a shock product to your hot tub. Typically, this comes in the form of a chlorine shock. Once the shock has been added, let the jets run for an hour or so. After an hour has gone by, turn them off and check the pH and alkalinity levels in your water again.
If you notice bubbles starting to appear in your hot tub, then you probably still have some of the product in the spa's internal system.
Safe Alternatives to Bubble Bath
If you're looking to produce large amounts of bubbles in your hot tub, we hate to break it to you, but there isn't a product on the market that can safely do this.
However, there are plenty of unique aromatherapy products on the market that you can use to improve the chemical smell in your water and make it feel softer.
Aromatherapy products work with all kinds of hot tubs, including those with chlorine, bromine, or saltwater.
Typically, these products do not make the water in your spa cloudy, nor do they create an oily residue that sits in your water. Be sure to purchase spa-specific products that won't leave residue in your spa.
The beauty of adding these products to a jetted tub is that they can do wonders for the skin. If you're looking for a new step in your anti-aging routine, we highly recommend adding a drop of spa-specific essential oils every time you get in your hot tub.
If you're looking to get serious amounts of foam in your hot tub, then we recommend heading to the bathtub. Hot tubs are made to create bubbles on their own when the jets push out air and mix up the water.
Do note that if you are simply using these types of products to cover up the harsh chemical smell in your hot tub, you should probably deal with the source of the odor. Often this is a sign of bacteria floating around in your hot tub water. Usually, you can get rid of this smell by draining and rinsing your hot tub.
Getting Rid Of Bubble Solution In a Jetted Tub
One of the best ways to get rid of soap solution or bubble bath solution in a spa is by hyper-chlorinating your spa water, scooping out any foam that is still sitting on the water's surface, and making sure you don't have a high pH level.
If you have bubble solution in your tub, it can increase the pH levels. There are many things beyond bubble bath that can create a bubble solution over time, including shampoo, body lotion, deodorant, makeup, and other oils.
When you turn your spa jets on, these things can mix together and form a bubble nightmare.
If you have foam on the surface of your water, it could also be an indication that your jetted tub has a chemical imbalance with pH levels that are much too high. It is important that you routinely check both the pH level and the alkalinity level in your jetted tub, adjusting either if they are too high.
If you ever end up with dish soap in your jetted tub, one of the best ways that you can get rid of it is with a small drop of table salt. Table salt is made up of chlorine and sodium, meaning it won't have an adverse reaction to the chlorine in your jetted tub. However, just like with any chemicals, the last thing you want to do is add too much, as you could upset the balance of your spa water.
Final Thoughts - Keeping Your Hot Tub Free From Bubble Solution
One of the main takeaways that you should get from this little guide is that you should never add bubble bath to your hot tub, no matter how enticing it might look. However, if you decide to go against our advice and add this kind of solution to your hot tub, the best remedy is to drain the water completely, then fill it back up again.
When it comes to adding products, we recommend sticking with essential oils and salts that are specifically meant to be used in the hot tub. You should never add regular bath salts, as these are not meant for use in a spa and are not the same thing as spa salt. Thinking of adding epsom salts in your hot tub? Epsom salt can not be mixed with chlorine, as this could cause burns on your skin. There are so many different products out there that are jetted tub-specific, it's best to stick with them instead.
Similarly, you will want to avoid products that are meant for pools, as these work best in cool water. The products we have outlined are available for purchase through a number of different spa retailers, making them very easy to find.
We hope that you have all of the information that you need to make the most out of your jetted tub!
