You may get an unpleasant surprise when you open your hot tub cover. You may see yellow, slimy spots with a foul odor. It looks like snot…but it’s not! This is a type of bacteria that has formed…likely for the following reasons:
1. You haven’t opened your cover in a while.
Even though you may not use your hot tub every day, it’s a good idea to open your hot tub lid and let it air out regularly. When you sit in your hot tub, all the oils, shampoos, lotions and soaps are rinsed from your body and then get trapped under the cover once you close your lid.
Solution: It’s a good idea to float a special sponge, like a Beachcomber Hydro Mop, that’s designed to absorb oils from the surface of the water.
2. Your water level is too high.
If you keep the water level in your hot tub too high, there is a chance that precipitation and steam is causing mildew to form under the cover and creating a smell.
Solution: Leave about 6” of air space between your water and the underside of the lid.
3. Your hot tub is lacking the proper sanitization.
Always check your sanitizer, and make sure you are maintaining your bromine or chlorine levels.
Solution: A good rule of thumb is to add 1-2 TBS of chlorine or bromine granules when you get out of the hot tub.
How do you clean the underside of the lid?
To clean the underside of your cover, use a garden hose, or a bucket of water and a soft cloth to wipe it down. Then, use a vinegar and water solution, or diluted bleach solution to scrub it clean. Always make sure to rise with clean water after cleaning.
For solutions to other hot tub water care questions, check out our Water Care FAQ page.