When it comes to using your hot tub, the last thing you want to see when pulling its cover back is a thick layer of ugly foam that you’ll need to clear before enjoying that sought-after soak.

However, while a thick layer of hot tub foam can appear worrying at first glance, it’s actually relatively easy, if a little time-consuming, to clear – provided you know what you’re doing.

And that’s exactly why we’ve pulled together this hot tub foam guide!

From notes on what causes foam in your hot tub, to begin with to steps on how to get rid of foam in a hot tub, and how to prevent your hot tub foaming up in the future, we’ve covered everything you need to know below.

Why is my hot tub foamy?

First things first, you probably want to know exactly what causes foam in a hot tub, and the truth is that it’s an entirely natural phenomenon caused by various organic compounds reacting with your water.

So, in the case of your hot tub’s water, it may be that your water is particularly oily, and said oil is creating a barrier between your tub’s water and the air. This in turn leads to certain chemical reactions that result in foam forming on the surface of your water.

What are the main causes of foam in a hot tub?

Although the foam on your hot tub is caused by natural chemical reactions, the cause of these reactions are typically caused by either of the following:

  • A hot tub chemical imbalance (incorrect pH, sanitiser, and hardness levels)
  • Organic build-up in your water and tub systems

1. Hot tub chemical imbalance

In many cases, the cause of your hot tub foaming can typically be laid at the feet of an accidental hot tub chemical imbalance by over-sanitising your water or allowing the pH levels to become too acidic or alkaline.

When you turn your tub on and activate your jets, this sudden rush and shake-up to your water causes the abundance of chemicals to overreact, resulting in your hot tub foaming up.

Alternatively, it may be that your hot tub’s water hardness is too soft. While not inherently bad, high levels of soft water reduce the surface tension of your water, making it far more likely to foam up during use.

2. An unclean tub

If you regularly test your hot tub’s water and know that your hot tub chemicals are properly balanced, then the likely culprit for your hot tub’s foam is a build-up of organic material in the water.

Although we might not want to think about it, we leave behind plenty of bodily matter when we bath in a hot tub, and over time, these dead skin cells, bodily oils, and other products we use to stay clean wash off in the water and form an oily layer on its surface, causing the natural reaction that leads to water foaming.

Is hot tub foam dangerous?

While not directly dangerous to your health, we would not recommend using a foamy hot tub if at all possible, especially if it’s caused by over-sanitisation or a chemical imbalance, as this may cause skin and eye irritation.

On top of this, it’s difficult to really enjoy the mental benefits of a hot tub when you’re surrounded by thick layers of foam that bubble up every time your jets activate – it’s just one of the reasons we don’t recommend using bubble bath in your hot tub – hence why it’s best to remove this foam before you use it.

How to get rid of foam in a hot tub

Ok, now that you know what causes hot tub foam, let’s look at the most efficient ways to get rid of it. And, naturally, if you want the easiest solution, you can simply drain your hot tub, give it a thorough clean, and then refill it with fresh water.

Of course, this can be a lengthy process to do right, and if you’ve only recently changed your hot tub’s water, you probably don’t need to go to this extreme to remove your hot tub’s foam.

Instead, we’d recommend trying either of the following before draining your tub:

How to get rid of foam in a hot tub without draining it

If you want to get rid of foam in a hot tub without draining it, you should first try either of these two steps:

  • Using a defoamer – while only a temporary solution, if you want to use your hot tub without going through the entire defoaming process, you can use a defoamer to eliminate all the foam on your hot tub’s surface. This will make your hot tub ready to use, and prevent any foam from forming for at least 12 hours, though it doesn’t treat the main cause of your hot tub’s foam.
  • Rebalance your water levels – before draining your tub in its entirety (and ideally before each time you use it) you should always check to make sure the pH and sanitiser levels of your water are balanced. If they’re not, then you should use a defoamer to clear the current foam, shock your hot tub, rebalance your hot tub chemicals, and then test your tub again. If the foam does not return, then there’s no reason to empty your tub.

How to prevent hot tub foam in the future

Finally, it’s worth listing a few steps that you can follow in order to prevent your hot tub from foaming up in the future. These are all relatively simple, but they can all go a long way to keeping your tub’s water contaminant-free:

  • Try taking a quick shower before using your hot tub. This will help wash off any excess oils and body products that might be left behind after a soak.
  • Make sure to wash your swimsuit separately from other clothes and with less detergent to minimise the potential for cleaning products to dissolve in your tub.
  • Keep your hair out of the water while using your tub so that no hair products and oils can wash off.
  • Maintain an efficient hot tub maintenance routine to reduce the risk of over-sanitisation and organic build-up during use.

Find your dream hot tub with Platinum Spas

Hot tub foaming can be an annoying and tedious problem to solve, but now that you have the knowledge to solve it, you should hopefully have a much easier time preventing its build-up in the future.

Naturally, this sort of foam-related issue is only a problem if you currently own a hot tub or are thinking about buying one in the near future. And if so, then you should look no further than Platinum Spas for all your hot tub needs

Designed using the latest in modern hot tub technology and constructed with longevity in mind, our selection of high-quality hot tubs are perfect for new and old hot tub owners alike.

Get in touch with our experts today to learn more about our hot tub and swim spa selection, and book a visit to one of our showrooms to see our tubs in person. You can also find more hot tub maintenance tips like this guide over on our owners’ hub.

Sarah Watkins
Latest posts by Sarah Watkins (see all)

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