Proper maintenance will help your hot tub cover last many years. It’s very simple, however; most owners fail to take much interest in their covers until it’s too late.

Here we’ll give you tips on how to ensure the longevity of your hot tub cover.

Cleaning your HOT TUB COVER
You should clean your hot tub cover at least every two weeks. Your cover is likely made out of an outdoor-grade vinyl which is made to last a long time. With that being said, vinyl is similar to leather; it requires a very gentle cleaner.

Did you know the most common cause of cracking, fading and deterioration is the use of damaging products? It’s very important you use a cleaner that is designed for hot tub covers. Just a couple of sprays of the cleaner and a quick wipe down will do the job. 

Keeping the COVER DRY
Covers can become waterlogged, which in turn can make it very heavy to take on and off of your hot tub. It’s best to minimize the amount of water that your cover soaks up by drying it once in awhile.

Repairing THE COVER
We recommend that you periodically inspect the cover for any signs of wear or damage. Small cuts or holes in the vinyl will damage the inner foam core by allowing moisture to build up, which in turn will cause mold growth. You can repair the inner plastic layer temporarily by using duct tape or clear packing tape to cover the holes. You can also purchase a vinyl repair kit to patch up any cuts or holes in the outer vinyl layer.

Moss & MILDEW
During the winter months or when your hot tub cover becomes waterlogged, you may notice moss or mildew starting to grow on your cover. This happens because stagnant water from the rain and condensation from within your hot tub slowly soaks into the cover. It may also start creating a heavy mildew smell.

Here’s how to eliminate the mildew or moss from the outside of your hot tub cover:

• Using a spa safe surface cleaner and the rough side of a sponge, you can clean off all of the visible moss and mildew. This shouldn’t take very long but will depend on the severity of the moss or mildew.

Here is how to minimize or eliminate the mildew smell from your hot tub cover:

• On a dry and sunny day, take the cover off of your hot tub and carefully remove the foam cores. The foam should always be kept in the shade while you clean the cover.
• Clean the inside of the cover using a soft brush and a spa safe disinfectant. Don’t forget to also clean the covers plastic vapor barrier.
• Spray the surfaces with a garden hose and then towel dry.
• Allow the cover additional air-dry time with a couple of hours of sunlight exposure.
• Once the cover is dry, reassemble carefully.

Prolong your COVERS LIFE
Another major contributor to cover failure is damage caused by over-chlorination, excessive ozone contact, or imbalanced water chemistry. Testing for proper chemical levels and balancing your water weekly will help avoid internal damage to your hot tub cover, such as: vinyl puffiness, disintegrating to the covers stitching and bleaching of the cover’s underside. Always remove the hot tub cover after shocking your hot tub.

and DON'T FORGET:

• Always clear away any excess debris that may be on the hot tub cover such as snow, leaves and branches.
• Use only hot tub safe cleaners and disinfectants. This will ensure the longevity of your spa cover.
• Avoid using any products that contain: alcohol, bleach, detergent, dish soap and/or oil.
• Apply a quality UV vinyl protection to your hot tub cover three to four times a year to help protect it from the harmful effects of exposure to the sun, such as drying and cracking.
• Use wind straps to hold down your cover during a windstorm.
• Once a year it is recommended that you remove the foam core sections from inside the vinyl cover and flip them to help reduce sagging, much like you would do with your mattress.
• If you will not be using your hot tub for an extended period of time, it’s recommended that you cover your hot tub with something like a tarp. This will help protect the cover from the outdoor elements.
• If the foam core of the cover is waterlogged or rotten, you will need to replace the hot tub cover.

If you have any questions about hot tub maintenance or cleaning your cover, please don’t hesitate to contact us.