8 Hot Tub Supplies You Will Definitely Need in 2023

Winter is officially here! And with bitter winds and snowy storms blowing across the country, no less. While we certainly understand the strong desire to stay indoors and out of the cold, your hot tub care can’t be neglected.

Whether you recently invested in a luxurious hot tub and desperately need a starting point for your hot tub care or simply need to restock your hot tub supplies while lingering holiday deals remain, this article is for you.

It’s a well-known fact that your hot tub care is the number one determining factor in the lifespan of your spa, and without the proper supplies, you risk running into expensive issues in the future.

Ensuring you have the proper hot tub supplies on hand 365 days a year can save you a lot of headaches (and money) down the road.

Not sure which ones you should include in your stockpile?

Keep reading!

In this article, we’re going to go through the eight essential hot tub supplies you should always have on hand and some additional options that can really elevate your spa experience.

8 Essential Hot Tub Supplies

Your hot tub is an investment, and it’s important to treat it as such.

The good news is that this is easy to do when you have the right products on hand. Below, you’ll find the top eight hot tub supplies we recommend every hot tub owner keep on hand throughout the year.

While some can be purchased on an “as-needed” basis, others should be bought in pairs, so you always have extra on hand should you need it.

Let’s get started.

1. Chemicals

One of the most important supplies you should always have on hand is your water treatment chemicals.

Your water has a significant impact on your hot tub’s entire system, so having all the products you need to maintain it is essential.

Some chemicals you should always have available include:

• Your sanitizer
• pH increaser and decreaser
• Total alkalinity increaser
• An Oxidizer

These chemicals will work together to ensure your water is always clean and clear.

Your sanitizer, such as chlorine, will keep your water clean, killing bacteria as it develops in your water.

Your pH and alkalinity determine how acidic or basic your water is. When kept in balance, you’ll avoid corrosion or scale build-up forming on your shell and throughout your system.

Using a total alkalinity increaser, pH increaser, or pH decreaser will keep your water in perfect balance.

Oxidizers work alongside your sanitizer to keep your water clean by breaking up the organic matter in your water that your sanitizer is unable to, such as oils from cosmetics or lotions.

While including an oxidizing treatment on a regular basis isn’t absolutely necessary, we recommend including it in your weekly rotation. Adding it to your water once a week will help decrease the risk of cloudy or foamy water forming in the future.

2. Water Testing Kit

While we’re on the topic of treating your water, you’ll need a water testing kit in order to monitor and treat its chemical levels.

Water test kits come in various forms, with pH strips being the most common and cost-effective option.

When purchasing your test strips, ensure you choose one that provides readings for your pH, alkalinity and sanitizer levels.

This will ensure you can easily get an accurate reading of your water’s current state and treat it as necessary.

3. Hot Tub Sponges

Do you struggle with an unsightly scum line building up around the edge of your water?

This residue comes from the oils that get into your water during regular use. These oils sit on the surface of your water and settle on your shell, leaving a gross scum line that’s hard to miss when you climb under the water for your relaxing soak.

While there are some steps you can take to minimize the organic matter your water is exposed to, hot tub sponges are a great way to combat any that do make it into your spa.

These sponges simply float on top of your water, absorbing all those oils between uses. Simply throw them into the water after you’re done soaking, and let them go to work!

If you’re sticking to a budget and don’t want to spend extra money on the various types of hot tub sponges on the market, you can use tennis balls instead.

4. Surface Skimmer

Anytime your cover is off, your water is exposed to the elements, leading to any number of contaminants entering your water.

This could be leaves, bugs, or even dirt that’s been blown in by the wind.

Keeping a small skimmer nearby can make removing any debris that gets into your water during your daily soak easy.

After every session, perform a quick skim over the surface of your water. Not only will this keep your it clean, but it will reduce the work your filter has to do to maintain the cleanliness of your water.

5. Spa Vacuum

Like anything that’s submerged in water over long periods of time, your shell will slowly develop a slippery film over its surface between deep cleans.

This happens when contaminants and organic matter settle in the water, ending up on your shell. While you may not be able to see it visually, you’ll quickly notice it as you step into your spa and feel how slippery the surface of your seats has become.

Using a small spa vacuum, you’ll be able to quickly clean your shell without needing to drain your hot tub, reducing the risk of slips as you step into your spa and keeping your water crystal clean for longer.

6. Submersible Pump

Have you ever been draining your spa and caught yourself wishing it would go faster?

Using a submersible pump may be the answer you’re looking for. These handy pumps can cut down your drain time to as little as 15 minutes, depending on the size of your hot tub.

For something that’s even easier to use and store, you can also use a quick drain hose. This tool quickly drains your tub without requiring a power source, making it the ideal tool for anyone who needs something more accessible to drain their hot tub.

7. Extra Filters

While your filters generally have a lifespan of 12 months, if they develop any rips or tears in their pleats, you will need to replace them sooner.

If you’ve noticed any damage to your filters during your weekly rinse and inspection of them, you’ll want to replace them right away.

If you don’t, your filtration system will be working overtime as it tries to maintain your water, and you risk lifting your cover and discovering dirty or foul-smelling water in the near future!

Keeping extra filters on hand will make it easy to replace any damaged ones right away and save you from emergency trips to the store to pick up new ones.

8. Shell Cleaner

Every three months, you’ll need to drain and clean your hot tub. This includes a thorough scrub of your shell.

Keeping a high-quality shell cleaner on hand will ensure you can quickly and effectively clean any buildup on it during your deep cleaning routine.

Not only will this ensure your fresh water won’t be contaminated as your refill your spa, but it also protects your shell from being damaged over time from scale buildup.

Luxury Hot Tub Supplies

Now that you know which hot tub supplies you should always have on hand, you get to discover the luxury options that can elevate your spa experience even further.

While these supplies aren’t essential, we highly recommend including them!

Aromatherapy Products

Aromatherapy has been around for centuries, and over the last decade, essential oils have exploded in popularity.

While traditional essential oils can’t be used in your spa, there are special aromatherapy products that have been designed specifically for spas!

Make your next spa session even more relaxing by pairing it with some hot tub-safe aromatherapy!

Cover Lift System

Hot tub covers can get heavy over the years, and during the winter, the last thing you want to do is stand in the cold snow and brush off the top of your cover before you can open it and jump into the warm water.

Adding a cover lift system makes it easy to use your spa, helping support the weight so you can lift it with ease.

With various styles on the market, you’ll have plenty of options, from manual cover lift systems to high-end automatic covers.

A Towel Heater

Speaking of cold winter nights, what better way to maintain your cozy spa evening than by wrapping yourself in a heated towel after your session?!

Adding a small towel heater near your hot tub can make enjoying your spa during the colder months of the year both more appealing and enjoyable.

You’ll never have to wrap yourself in a cold towel after your relaxing soak again!

Hot Tub Supplies in Edmonton

Need to restock your hot tub supplies or invest in some you may not have considered including in your routine?

Sundance Spas of Edmonton has everything you need. With two convenient locations and a bright showroom filled with high-end hot tubs, swim spas, and backyard essentials, you’ll be able to find everything you need, all in one place.

Visit us in-store, or call us, and one of our spa experts will be happy to assist you!