Like your hot tub sanitisers, hot tub filters play a vital role in keeping your hot tub clean and functional, ensuring that you can enjoy a relaxing and refreshing soak whenever you decide to slip into your at-home spa system.

Without hot tub filters, your hot tub water would turn filthy and full of harmful particles in a matter of days. But this small hot tub component is often easy to overlook, so it’s important that you know how often to change your hot tub filter for a new replacement.

But how long do hot tub filters last, and when do they need changing? In this guide, we’ll look at what filters do, how long they last, and how often you should replace them to keep your hot tub water fresh.

What are hot tub filters and what do they do?

Hot tub filters are designed to trap all of the dirt and grime that makes its way into your spa’s water during and outside of use, making them essential for keeping your tub in good condition and your soaks free from potential bacteria.

Hot tub filters themselves are made of a wide variety of materials including paper, fabric, ceramic, sand, and even diatomaceous earth. Water is either pushed through the filter with pressure or pulled through due to suction and as water flows through the filter, the small particles are trapped in the filter.  The result is clean water that’s healthy to bathe in and won’t damage your hot tub.

By far the most common type of hot tub filter is the cartridge filter. Usually, the filter material in these parts will be paper, fabric, or plastic. These are very effective and easy to replace, making hot tub maintenance a breeze.

Why are hot tub filters important?

Regularly changing your hot tub filter is a very important aspect of keeping your tub in tip-top shape. In partnership with sanitisers, like chlorine or bromine, these filters keep the water in your hot tub clean.

Unlike sanitisers, however, filters don’t kill bacteria, but they do remove dirt, grime, and other particles from the water. For instance, any dirt or dead skin cells that aren’t washed off before you bathe could get caught up in your circulation and cause unwanted blockages, but your filter will catch these small particles, removing them from your tub.

To keep your hot tub water safe, you should run your filter cycle frequently while your tub is in use. The number of cycles needed and the length required will vary depending on how often you use your tub and how many people use it. Running your cycle too often will affect your hot tub’s energy efficiency, while too few filter cycles will leave you with dirty water.

How long do hot tub filters last?

Generally, hot tub filters last for roughly three months, but this lifespan requires frequent cleaning to get the most out of your product. After three months, your filter won’t be able to block unwanted debris and particles as easily, putting your hot tub at risk. How long hot tub filters last will also depend on what material it’s made from, and how high quality its build is.

How often should I change hot tub filters?

Typically, you should aim to replace your hot tub filter completely once every three months. However, hot tub filters need regular cleaning every month to keep your tub operating smoothly. And this period may vary depending on how often you use your tub, with more frequent uses resulting in more frequent cleaning.

Cleaning your hot tub filters between replacements

Cleaning your filter is a crucial part of caring for your hot tub. While filters can last several months, they won’t function correctly without regular cleaning and maintenance. Once a week, you should remove the filter and rinse it to remove larger pieces of debris. Every month, you’ll need to use a cleaning spray for a deeper clean.

Always use products that are specifically designed for hot tub filters. Do not try to clean the filter with household cleaners.

How to tell when your hot tub filter needs replacing

Knowing how often to change your hot tub filter is easy – most will come with information telling you how long they’ll last. However, if there are tell-tale signs of a damaged or outdated filter when using your tub, it’s best to buy a replacement as soon as possible before causing more issues. You should clean your filter regularly, and while cleaning it, it’s important to inspect it for any signs that it needs early replacement.

Is your filter damaged?

Keeping an eye on your hot tub filter when you clean it is very important. If you notice that you’re having to clean the filter more often, this is a sign that the filter may be damaged. Other key signs to watch out for include rips in the filter material, cracks in the seals, or dirty water in your tub.

Is your hot tub damaged?

It’s not just your filter you should be checking for signs of wear and tear, but your hot tub too. Defective filters can have a number of negative effects on how your hot tub functions, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any changes in performance.

If your jets aren’t working, for example, they may be clogged with debris that hasn’t been filtered properly, indicating that it’s time to change your hot tub filter.

Water hardness

Another factor that can affect the lifespan of your filter is water hardness. If you live in an area with particularly hard water, limescale can accumulate on your filter, which is very tough to remove and can lead to damage.

Water hardness often comes down to what part of the world you live in, as some areas will naturally have harder water due to their geography. While it can be dispiriting to use a hot tub in an area with poor-quality water, there are specialist chemicals available to combat water hardness if it’s affecting your hydrotherapy sessions. The same goes for hardening water that’s too soft.

Monitoring your water’s hardness is an important aspect of caring for your hot tub and should be part of your maintenance schedule. The chemicals used to prevent hardness are also incredibly useful and should feature in any home spa toolkit.

Find the right tub for you in our range

Maintaining a clean filtration system is a crucial aspect of owning a hot tub, and shouldn’t be overlooked. However, you should also take the time to familiarise yourself with other aspects of hot tub maintenance to improve your hot tub’s overall longevity.

Of course, if you’re thinking of replacing your hot tub and buying a new one, then you need look no further than the Platinum Spa range. Boasting hot tubs from a variety of top brands, our hot tub selection is sure to have a model suited to your tastes.

Start browsing today and book a visit to your nearest hot tub showroom to see our models in person. You can also visit our guide hub for more helpful hot tub articles like this one.

Hot tub filters FAQs

Still got some questions around hot tub filters? Have a look below at our most frequently asked questions or get in touch with our team directly for more info:

How do I find replacement filters for my hot tub?

Plenty of hot tub retailers offer replacement parts for all the top hot tub brands. When you remove the filter, there should be a part number listed, which you can search for and find replacements. Any documentation that you may have received with your hot tub could also contain details about the filter. For Platinum Spas hot tubs, please refer to our hot tub filter guide.

Do I need to run my filter even if I’m not using my hot tub?

If you have a suction filter on your hot tub, you will need to run the filter even if you’re not using it. You should run the filter for around eight hours a day. Pressure hot tub filters also need to be run, but only for around two to four hours per day.

Jamie Smith
Latest posts by Jamie Smith (see all)

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