How to check if your hot tub’s chlorine levels are too high
Your hot tub’s chlorine levels should be between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm at all times.
Any higher and it will cause that strong “swimming pool” smell, irritate your eyes and skin, and can damage your hot tub’s components. Any lower and there won’t be enough sanitiser in your spa to keep it sanitary, which can lead to problems like foamy hot tub water.
There are three simple ways to bring your home spa’s chlorine levels down if your test strip reads higher than 3 ppm.
Wait it out
Your hot tub’s chlorine levels will drop on their own over time. Your best bet is therefore waiting it out if you’re not planning on using your spa for a day or two.
If you want to be able to use your spa a bit sooner, you can speed things up by running the air jets on full and leaving the cover open. This will encourage the chlorine to dissipate (especially if the sun is shining, as sunlight diminishes chlorine).
Removing a couple of buckets worth of water from your spa and replacing them with fresh water will lower the concentration of chlorine. Once you’ve done this, turn the air jets on and let the water circulate for fifteen minutes before dipping your test strip back in the water to ensure you get an accurate reading. If the chlorine levels are still too high, repeat the process until they’re under 3 ppm.
Use a chlorine neutraliser
Want to lower your hot tub’s chlorine levels fast? Simply add chlorine neutralizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, run the jets for a few minutes to circulate it, and then test the water again to see if you need to add any more.
Summing up
Luckily, lowering your hot tub’s chlorine levels is as easy as it is to add too much in the first place. You can wait it out if you’re not in a rush to hop in for a soak, swap out some of the water with a few bucketfuls of fresh water to dilute it, or add some chlorine neutraliser if you have some to hand.
Whatever you do, just make sure there’s less than 3 ppm of chlorine in your home spa before you get in it so you don’t end up irritating your eyes or skin.
For more expert advice on buying, installing, and maintaining a hot tub – as well as our pick of the best buys for every budget – pick up your free copy of WhatSpa? magazine.
I am the Editor-in-Chief at WhatSpa? Media Group and my job is to keep you informed about the very latest hot tubs on the UK market... the best job in the world! When I'm not being deluged with press releases and hot tub brochures I enjoy keeping fit and participating in endurance events including triathlons and distance running.
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