TL;DR: To clean a jacuzzi bath, fill it with warm water a few centimetres above the highest jet, add a whirlpool pipe cleaner or sterilising solution, run the jets for about 5 minutes, then drain, rinse and wipe the bath dry.
- Run a jet clean about once a month, or every week or two if you use the whirlpool most days.
- After each bath, wipe the surface with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or scourers.
- Use bubble bath sparingly and choose low-foaming bath oils; the jets can whip up foam very quickly.
- Most whirlpool baths have no filter cartridge; keep the suction fitting clear of hair and debris instead.
- Never run the jets unless the water covers them, and keep the suction fitting clear.
- Always follow the care instructions supplied with your bath and system first.
The way to clean a jacuzzi bath is to run its jets through a cleaning cycle: fill the bath above the jets, add a whirlpool cleaner, run the system, then drain and rinse. Do that regularly, wipe the bath after each use, and a whirlpool bath stays as clean and hygienic as any other bath. The same routine works for most baths sold as spa baths too.
Always check the care instructions that come with your bath and system first. The steps below are a general routine that suits most whirlpool baths.
Why do jacuzzi bath jets need cleaning?
Jacuzzi bath jets need cleaning because some bath water stays in the pipework after you drain the bath. Over time, soap, bath oil and body residue can build up inside, which can lead to flakes coming out of the jets, a musty smell or weaker jets. A regular cleaning cycle flushes it out before it builds up.
How often should you clean a jacuzzi bath?
Clean the jets about once a month, and more often, every week or two, if you use the whirlpool most days. Also run a clean before using the bath for the first time, and before and after it has been left unused for a long time.
What you need
- A whirlpool pipe cleaner or sterilising solution recommended for whirlpool baths
- A soft cloth or sponge
- Warm water and a mild washing-up liquid for the surface
- A soft brush or old toothbrush for around the jet surrounds
How to clean a jacuzzi bath step by step
- Fill the bath with warm water to a few centimetres above the highest jet. Don't use very hot water.
- Add the cleaner at the dose given on the bottle.
- Run the jets for about 5 minutes, or as long as the cleaner's instructions say, with the air control closed if your system has one.
- Switch off and drain the bath.
- Refill with clean, cold water above the jets and run the system again for a few minutes to rinse the pipework.
- Drain, then wipe the bath, jets and controls with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, and dry with a clean cloth.
How to clean a spa bath
"Spa bath" is used for two kinds of bath. If yours has water jets in the sides, it is a whirlpool bath, so clean it with the routine above. If it has small air holes in the base that blow bubbles (an air spa bath), there is no water pipework to flush in the same way. Many air spa systems run a short drying cycle after you drain the bath to blow water out of the air channels. If yours doesn't, follow the maker's guidance. Wipe the surface and the air holes with warm soapy water and a soft cloth after each use.
Everyday cleaning
After each bath, rinse the surface and wipe it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Carron baths are acrylic or Carronite, so avoid scourers, abrasive creams and harsh chemicals, which can scratch or dull the surface. Light marks on acrylic can often be polished out. Give the jet surrounds and controls a gentle wipe too.
Does a jacuzzi bath have a filter?
Most whirlpool baths don't have a filter cartridge like a hot tub. Instead they have a suction fitting, the grille where the pump draws water in. Keep it clear of hair and debris, and give it a wipe when you clean the bath. If your model's cover is designed to come off, remove and rinse it as the maker's instructions describe. If your bath did come with a removable filter, rinse it under running water at each monthly clean.
Can you use bubble bath in a jacuzzi bath?
You can use bubble bath in a jacuzzi bath, but only a very small amount. The jets mix air into the water, so ordinary bubble bath can turn into a bath full of foam within seconds. If it happens, switch the jets off and let the foam settle, or run in a little cold water.
Can you use bath oils and bath salts?
Use low-foaming bath oils made for whirlpool baths and avoid heavy oils and bath salts. Thick oils can coat the pipework and help residue build up, and salt crystals don't belong in a pump. If you do use them, run a cleaning cycle a little more often.
What can you use in a jacuzzi bath?
- Fine: a whirlpool pipe cleaner, mild washing-up liquid on a soft cloth, a little bubble bath, and low-foaming bath oils made for whirlpool baths.
- Avoid: bath salts, bath bombs, heavy oils, scourers, abrasive creams and harsh household chemicals, unless your bath maker approves them.
How to use a jacuzzi or spa bath
- Fill the bath until the water is a few centimetres above the highest jet.
- Get in, then switch on the whirlpool at the control.
- Adjust the jets or air control to suit you, if your system has them.
- Switch the jets off before you pull the plug, and never run them in an empty bath.
Is a jacuzzi bath hygienic?
Yes, a jacuzzi bath is hygienic as long as you clean the jets regularly. Most problems come from systems that are rarely cleaned or left unused for months. A monthly cleaning cycle and a wipe after each use keep it in good condition.
Can you use a bath mat in a jacuzzi bath?
You can use a non-slip bath mat in a jacuzzi bath as long as it doesn't cover any jet or the suction fitting; the safest habit is to take it out before you switch on the whirlpool. The same goes for a bathtub jacuzzi mat (a bubble mat). It isn't needed in a whirlpool bath and shouldn't sit over the jets.
Troubleshooting
- Weak jets: check the water is well above the jets, the air control is open and nothing is blocking the suction fitting.
- Flakes or bits from the jets: run a cleaning cycle, then a rinse cycle, and clean more often from then on.
- Musty smell: run a cleaning cycle. If it comes back quickly, contact us or the manufacturer.
- The pump won't start: check the isolating switch and the RCD. If it still won't run, call a qualified engineer rather than opening the panel yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean jacuzzi bath jets?
Fill the bath above the jets with warm water, add a whirlpool cleaner, run the jets for about 5 minutes, drain, then rinse with a second cycle of clean water.
How do I clean a whirlpool bathtub?
The same way as a jacuzzi bath: run a cleaning cycle with a whirlpool pipe cleaner about once a month, rinse with clean water, and wipe the surface with warm soapy water after each bath.
Can I use bleach or vinegar to clean my whirlpool bath?
Only use products your bath and system maker approves. Some household products can damage acrylic, seals or plated finishes, so a cleaner made for whirlpool baths is the safer choice.
How often should a jacuzzi bath be cleaned?
Run a jet clean about once a month, or every week or two with daily use, and wipe the bath after every bath.
Why is there black stuff coming out of my jets?
It is usually residue that has built up in the pipework. Run a cleaning cycle followed by a rinse, and repeat until the water runs clear.
Choosing a whirlpool bath
If you are still choosing, see our whirlpool baths collection, read are jacuzzi baths worth it or find out what a jacuzzi bath costs. Every project starts with a free one-to-one consultation and a clear, itemised quote. Visit our showroom at 32 Manor Park Rd, Birmingham B36 0DJ (Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), call 0121 794 2553 or book your free consultation online.