June 9th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Hot tubs are an incredible way to relax and unwind the warm water and soothing bubbles just seem to melt away all your worries. However, due to the nature of hot tubs they can also quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and dirt especially if not taken care of correctly – which is why sometimes you may notice that the water in your hot tub has become murky and unclear. In this blog, we will discuss possible causes for the cloudiness in the water and how to rectify it.

Chemical Imbalance

One of the main reasons for hot tub water becoming unclear or murky and you may possibly notice it foaming more than usual can be an imbalance of chemicals. As you will likely know the water in your hot tub requires treatment in order to remain clean and stay safe for you to bathe in for long periods of time not to mention other products that are used in order to keep bacteria at bay. With all these products going into your water it may cause the water to become murky and foamy especially if you are added all the chemicals at once - this is why it is important to wait around an hour between adding products such as chlorine, pH Increaser or Alkalinity reducer, as this will give them all time to fully dissolve and work through the system without reacting with one and other. In the case of cleaning products, we recommend not using them all on the same day – leave a day or two between each of these products. This should hopefully help to clear up water if it has been in fact caused by these products reacting.

Alternatively, it may be the absence of a certain product – for example, Chlorine is important for keeping bacteria at bay and ensuring your water stays clean, if your chlorine levels are not high enough or even too high this can result in the water becoming murky – it is important that you test your water levels regularly (Once a week ideally) so you can correct any of these issues before they become a bigger problem. Water testing kits or easily purchased online and can range from simple paper dip tests and more advanced electronic readers – it doesn’t matter which you choose as they will all do the same job. Once you know the state of your water it is much easier to correct issues.

Bacteria

As we mentioned, hot tubs can quickly become a breeding ground for all manner of bacteria due to their warm nature and the fact that our bodies soak in water which can lead to a build-up of oil and grease. Bacteria can also be a result of poor water quality as well as frequent hot tub usage. In either case, bacteria are present in your hot tub and therefore bacteria are also present in general--they're all around us! But when they get concentrated no a small space like your hot tub, they become more visible to you. In order to treat this, we would recommend a full system flush using an appropriate product and then re-filling the hot tub with fresh, clean water. Chlorine or Bromide shock may do the trick to clear water or to prevent further build-up and make your hot tub clean and safe for those using it a system flush is most effective.

Cleenly Hot Tub System Flush Cleaner 5L

Price: £16.96

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Mildew

Mildew is a type of fungus that can grow in your hot tub. In fact, it's one of the most common problems for hot tub owners to deal with, this is because mildew thrives in moist environments and needs air circulation to grow, so if you notice mildew on your walls or bottom, chances are there isn't enough water movement in your tub. A bromine shock will help kill off any remaining spores and keep them from coming back while also removing any stains they may have left behind on the liner or shell of your spa (or even inside its filter).

If this doesn't work, try treating it again with chlorine instead--chlorine shocks are effective against mildew too! If neither method works then it is recommended to empty out all the water clean thoroughly and check filter jets to make sure they are clear before re-filling.

Mould

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in warm, moist environments. It can be found in soil and on plants, but it's also commonly found on the surface of hot tub water. Mould spores are tiny, so they're easy to overlook when you're cleaning your hot tub, but left untreated will spread and can also result in your water becoming murky. If you notice any mouldy spots on your hot tub walls or flooring while cleaning, don't panic! There are ways to get rid of it safely and easily.

In order to tackle mould, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and warm water to scrub the walls, flooring and edges of your hot tub – we also recommend checking filters and jets during this time too as mould can quickly return if even a single spore is left behind.

Algae

Algae are another type of plant that lives in water; they grow on the surface and attach themselves to the walls and other surfaces in your hot tub, which will make your water look murky if there are too many algae present. For this reason, it is recommended to use an algaecide, you can shock the water to remove algae but it is more effective if added into your regular routine as it will stop it from building up in the first place.

Small Debris

We all know that our hot tubs use filters to remove particles of dirt, dust and grim from the water helping to keep it clean – however, sometimes these dirt particles are too small for the filter to pick up and this can result in your water becoming cloudy or even dis-coloured. Using a spa clarifier can help to easily resolve this issue. Clarifiers are chemicals that use a binding agent that will cluster smaller dirt particles together making it so your filter can then effectively trap them and restore your crystal-clear water.

Cleenly Hot Tub Water Clarifier 5L

Price: £24.98

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So, there we have some tips and hints to help resolve the issue of murky water in your tub, be careful to ensure you are using the right products and balancing your chemicals to keep the water clean and clear and address murky water at the first signs to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem over time.