An Introduction to Hot Tub and Spa Chemicals

Chemicals help keep your hot tub or spa sanitary and inviting so you can enjoy it all season long.  There are many options when it comes to products for cleaning and maintaining your spa.  In this article, the second in a series about spa chemicals, we'll explore several spa sanitizing options.  This information will help you make the best choices about spa chemicals for your lifestyle. 

• Biguanide-based spa sanitizers:  Usually combined with an algistat, biguanide-based spa sanitizers contain no chlorine and are highly stable.  They offer longer-lasting sanitizing treatment than chlorine or bromine sanitizers.   
• Spa sanitizer for ozone-equipped spas: Spa sanitizers designed to improve the performance of ozone-equipped spas significantly improve the look and feel of the water.  They offer odor-free operation, are unaffected by heat, and last up to four months.  Spa sanitizers kill algae and maintain clear water.    
• All-purpose cleaners: All-purpose spa cleaners are designed to clean spas both at and below the waterline when the spa is drained.  All-purpose cleaners remove dirt, oil, and scum that collect while the spa is in use.  This cleaner can also be used on spa covers.    
• Fast-acting clarifiers: Clarifiers for spas and hot tubs are specially formulated for hot water.  They aid in the removal of dirt, organics, and oils too small for your filter to remove.  Just two ounces in spas and hot tubs up to 800 gallons will make your spa water sparkle.   
• Natural enzyme cleaners: Spa cleaners made of natural enzymes bio-degrade organic contaminants to eliminate chemical odors and prevent scum lines from oils, lotions, and organic materials, streamline spa maintenance of spa filters and spa surfaces, and create clear, soft-feeling water.  
• Metal remover: Metal removers, also known as sequestering agents, prevent metal staining and corrosion in spas and hot tubs.  Metal remover should be applied every time you fill or refill your spa to prevent stains from metals that normally appear in tap water. 
• Scale preventer: This chemical helps prevent the formation of scale build-up on the surfaces and equipment of spas and hot tubs, as well as aid in the removal of existing scale.  Spas and hot tubs saturated with minerals, also called dissolved solids, allow salt deposits to serve as reaction sites where calcium crystals can grow.  Scale preventers alter the normal pattern of growth of calcium crystals.   
• Spa filter cleaner: This product greatly improves your hot tub or spa filter's life and efficiency by removing oil, grease, scale and mineral deposits. 
• Spa purge: This chemical cleans up organic contaminants like oils, lotions, cosmetics, hair products, and sweat concentrate in spa water.  It cleans where you can't reach by removing built-up organic waste and restores spa plumbing to its original condition.