Hot Tub Buying Guide

Make your own spa defoamer

Foam is sometimes a problem in a hot tub. Foam can occur for a few reasons. It certainly doesn't make sitting in the tub the relaxing, enjoyable experience you want it to be. So you want to get rid of the foam. There are some easy ways to do this. Spa defoamers are available at your local spa dealer, the local home improvement store or online. A few drops of this usually gets rid of the foam immediately. What if you don't want to add any more chemicals into the tub and would like to make your own? Well, here's how to make spa defoamer.

Make sure your spa water has been shocked recently so that the defoamer can work well. Add vinegar at a 1:10 ratio to the water in the tub. This should work as a defoamer. Vinegar is a simple, easy and effective cleaner for many household chores.

Another way to use vinegar as a defoamer is to add vinegar and baking soda to the water. The ratio here is 2 parts vinegar, 1 part baking soda and 9 parts water. You might need a pencil and paper to figure out that math. The baking soda and vinegar will react and then attack the contaminants such as lotion, oil, or soap that are causing the foam.

Even though it's fairly easy to get rid of foam quickly from your hot tub, you should not ignore that foam is a symptom and not the problem itself. It is likely that your tub water may need to be changed or that your filters are not being cleaned regularly or well enough. Your water might not be balanced properly. Check the pH, the hardness, the sanitizer. Also be sure that you aren't introducing contaminants into the tub. Lotions, detergents, deodorants, oils can all cause foam build up. You may want to rinse in the shower before entering the tub and ask your guests to as well if you struggle with a foam problem. Your swimsuits should be rinsed with water after your soak, not alundered with soap as soap residue is a main culprit for foaming. Proper care of the hot tub and the water should result in a relaxing and healthy hot tub for you to soak.