Have you ever opened your hot tub lid to discover heaps of foam? Ever turned on the jets and inadvertently created a bubble bath? This is a common spa problem and nothing to be embarrassed about! What causes the foam/bubbles? How do you get rid of them? How can you avoid the situation?

There are a number of reasons for foam/bubbles to form in your spa.

• Laundry detergent from swim suits can build up in the water and cause foaming.
• Deodorants, lotions, shampoos and perfumes leave a residue in the water that can cause bubbles.
• Body oils and dead skin cells are impossible to avoid and contribute to the problem.
• Food and drink spills promote foaming.
• Poor quality chemicals contain fillers that can cause foaming.
• Unbalanced  and dirty water in your spa can play a part in foamy conditions.

There are some things you can do to quickly diminish bubbles that appear in your hot tub.

• Try a defoamer such as Foam Away. Dilute it and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the surface of the foam to quickly clear it from the waterline.
• Try sprinkling a PH buffer, such as Aqua Troll, on the foam.
• Shock your spa with a quality product and clean your filters with a filter cleaning solution.

To avoid the formation of foam and bubbles:

• Hand wash swimsuits in fresh water, without detergent, rather than putting them through the laundry.
• Skip the deodorants, lotions, shampoos and perfumes before using the hot tub or have a shower before jumping in.
• Keep your head above water to avoid hair products in the tub.
• Use a spa skimmer to remove as much grime from the surface as possible.
• Try a floating sponge, such as a Zorbie, to collect the body oils, lotions, shampoo, and perfumes that build up on the surface of the water. Remove the sponge when children are in the spa and replace it every three months.
• Use covered drink containers or keep all food and drink away from the hot tub.
• Invest in good quality chemicals from your hot tub provider.
• Test your hot tub water weekly to make sure the alkalinity, pH and sanitizer levels are appropriate. Adjust as needed.
• Replace your spa filter regularly.
• Establish a regular maintenance schedule for keeping the water balanced and clean.
• Open your hot tub cover to allow the water to breathe and introduce oxygen.
• Drain the hot tub and flush the system on a regular basis; three to four times a year.

Every spa owner encounters foaming! Take control of the situation. Drain and refill your spa every three to four months and replace the filter once a year. Use quality spa chemicals. Talk to your hot tub supplier. They have the knowledge, expertise and products to help you keep your spa sparkling clean and clear.

Having trouble with bubbles and foam? Contact Calgary based  RnR hot tubs and spas. Call (403) 203-0860 or fill out the contact request. RnR provides comprehensive service, expert knowledge, field experience and the best products in the industry to help you maintain your hot tub for years of enjoyment. RnR is Alberta’s premier hot tub store.