While it might not be the first thing that springs to mind when deciding how to spend those crisp winter mornings, one of the best things you can do to wile away the hours and remove any Christmas stress is to enjoy a winter hot tub soak.

A fantastic way to stay warm and relaxed (assuming it’s not merrily snowing outside), using a hot tub over winter is not only feasible; it’s easy! However, there are some things that you’ll need to take into account before you hop in.

Take a look below for all our advice around enjoying your hot tub during winter, as well as tips for shutting down a hot tub for winter if you don’t plan on using it until spring or summer next year.

Our 7 tips for using a hot tub over Winter

Ready to get started prepping your hot tub for winter? Good, we recommend following the 7 tips below to get the most out of a winter hot tub session:

  1. Make use of your hot tub cover
  2. Change your hot tub’s water before the temperature drops
  3. Avoid using your hot tub’s air jets
  4. Clear any snow and ice off your hot tub before use
  5. Stay on top of your hot tub’s hygiene
  6. Stay hydrated while in your tub
  7. Clear a safe path to your hot tub

1. Make use of your hot tub cover

One of the primary ways of keeping your hot tub’s water warm when not in use, making use of your hot tub cover is essential if you want to prevent your hot tub’s water from freezing or cooling.

Simply put, if attached properly, your hot tub cover will insulate your tub’s water so that, even if there’s a power cut or any other issue, the water will stay above freezing slightly longer.

2. Change your hot tub’s water before the temperature drops

Before the cold weather really begins to bite, it’s worth emptying your hot tub and refilling it with fresh water. Not only does this mean you’ll be bathing in freshwater come winter, but it also gives you a chance to thoroughly clean your tub while the weather is still warm.

Anyone hot tub owner knows that changing their hot tub’s water can be a tricky and unpleasant task, even more so if the weather is cold. So, by changing the water and cleaning your hot tub now, you’ll ensure that your hot tub is in peak operating condition for winter use.

3. Avoid using your hot tub’s air jets

While the air jets on your hot tub are a brilliant feature for most of the year, providing you with all the delight and satisfaction that comes with hot tub bubbles and their massage functions, on a cold winter’s day, these jets should be avoided for one key reason – they’ll end up cooling your hot tub’s water.

This is because hot tub jets work by adding external air to the water and cycling it out through your jets. And when the air outside is cold, adding it to your hot tub’s cycling system is naturally going to cool the water of your hot tub. Therefore, if you want to keep the temperatures high, keeping your hot tub’s jets off is a good idea.

4. Clear any snow and ice off your hot tub before use

If you experience snowfall on your hot tub’s cover, it goes without saying that you should remove it at the first opportunity. Otherwise, the weight of the snow could cause your hot tub cover to tear.

To clear said snow and ice, we recommend using a soft-bristled brush, as hard-bristle brushes can damage your cover’s surface. You should avoid using any form of shovel as well, as this is even more likely to damage it.

5. Stay on top of your hot tub’s hygiene

Of all the hot tub tips for winter, this is one of the most important, as keeping your hot tub clean throughout the year is of vital importance. After all, dirty water can lead to the growth of bacteria and algae, creating an unpleasant environment for you and any other bathers, and the last thing you want to do is drain your hot tub when it’s cold.

So, make sure you’re checking your hot tub’s pH levels regularly, changing your hot tub filters as required, and adding hot tub sanitiser chemicals or shock treatments as needed to keep bacterial growth at bay.

6. Stay hydrated while in your tub

A hot tub is a wonderful place to spend a cold winter night. However, one important thing to remember is to stay hydrated, especially in winter. This is because, in the warmer months, it’s easy to tell when you’re dehydrated due to sweating, but in winter it often goes unnoticed.

Naturally, jumping into a hot tub when you’re already dehydrated is an excellent way to dehydrate yourself even more! So, for this reason, you should drink plenty of water when you want to use your tub in cold weather and avoid drinking any alcohol until you’re dry and inside.

7. Clear a safe path to your hot tub

Finally, for our last winter hot tub tip, it’s always a smart idea to clear the snow and ice from around your hot tub to provide you with a clear path to get to it. After all, no one wants to walk down an icy path to get to their tub.

Hopping out of the hot tub in winter can be a shocking experience, no matter how fluffy your towels are, so planning your exit is a great way to get from the warmth of the tub to the warmth of your house in quick succession, without risking injury from potential falls or slips.

How to winterise a hot tub

While it is possible to use your hot tub over winter, if you plan on turning it off until spring rolls around, then knowing how to winterise a hot tub properly will ensure you can keep your at-home spa system in proper working order.

First things first, if you’re shutting down your hot tub for winter, then you’ll need to drain the hot tub bowl entirely, alongside flushing all of its systems to remove as much lingering water as possible.

While draining your hot tub’s water is simple enough, in order to clean out its pipes and jets, we recommend using a wet/dry vacuum on the jets to clear out any excess liquid. You can then loosen the unions on your pumps to drain them, before cleaning your hot tub thoroughly.

Finally, you will need to cover your hot tub, even if you’re not going to use it, so no debris can gather in its bowl or block its jets.

Find your ideal winter hot tub

We hope that you’ll find these tips for using a hot tub in winter useful, no matter whether you want to use your tub or not in the colder months. Just remember to incorporate them into your usual hot tub maintenance schedule and you should have no trouble keeping your at-home spa system operating properly all year round.

Of course, if you’re yet to buy your first hot tub, or you’re planning on swapping your old one out in the near future, then why not take a look at the Platinum Spa range today to see what we have available?

Boasting a suite of hot tubs and swim spas made using the latest in modern hot tub technology, get in touch with our team of experts today to ask any questions you may have directly, or book a visit to your nearest hot tub showroom to see our products in person.

Don’t forget to visit our hot tub owners’ hub as well for more advice on how to look after your new hot tub once it’s installed.

Using a hot tub in winter FAQs

Generally speaking, the recommended minimum temperature for a hot tub in winter is roughly the same as when you use it over summer. However, when not in use but still on, you should keep the temperature at around five degrees below its standard temperature in order to keep your hot tub’s water from freezing.

Unless you’re planning on using your hot tub over the colder months of the year, you should absolutely empty the water in your tub when shutting down a hot tub for winter. This is because, if you leave water in your hot tub’s bowl and pipes, it will likely freeze, damaging both your hot tub’s systems and potentially creating leaks in its bowl.

Sarah Watkins
Latest posts by Sarah Watkins (see all)

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