Hot Tub Chemical Guide

Clean, clear hot tub water comes down to four habits: test, sanitize, shock and balance, plus a clean filter. Here is a simple routine and the products for each step.

1. Test the water two or three times a week

Test strips show your sanitizer, pH and alkalinity in seconds, so you only add what the water needs. Shop test strips

2. Keep sanitizer in range

Most hot tubs use chlorine or bromine. A common target is about 3 to 5 ppm for either one. Chlorine granules like Leisure Time Spa 56 dissolve quickly and are easy to dose after each soak. Bromine starts with a sodium bromide bank and is kept up with an oxidizer. Pick one system and stick with it. Shop sanitizers

3. Shock once a week, and after heavy use

Shock burns off body oils, lotions and sweat that build up between soaks and cause odors and cloudy water. Non-chlorine shock like Leisure Time Renew lets you get back in soon after. Shop shock

4. Balance the water

Adjust in this order: total alkalinity first (about 80 to 120 ppm), then pH (about 7.2 to 7.8), then calcium hardness (about 150 to 250 ppm). Balanced water helps your sanitizer work and protects the heater, jets and shell. Shop pH and balancers

5. Keep the filter clean

Rinse the filter cartridge every week or two and deep clean it about once a month. Replace it when your hot tub maker recommends. Shop filter care

6. Drain and refill every three to four months

Over time dissolved solids build up and chemicals stop working as well. A fresh fill resets the water. Flush the plumbing before you drain, and use an inline hose filter when you refill. Shop drain and refill supplies

Fixing common problems

  • Cloudy water: test and balance, shock, then use a clarifier such as Leisure Time Bright and Clear. Check the filter.
  • Foam: usually soaps, lotions or detergent from swimsuits. Shock the water and use a defoamer such as Leisure Time Foam Down.
  • Scale or stains: use a stain and scale control product such as Leisure Time Defender or Metal Gon, especially if you fill with hard or well water.
  • Chemical smell: usually means it's time to shock, not that there's too much chlorine.

Shop clarifiers, foam, stain and scale control

Always follow the directions on the product label and your hot tub manufacturer's recommendations.