Written by bwaradmin on October 30, 2026. Posted in Blog, Spas

How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter: A Simple Guide for Autumn and Winter

Autumn is the busiest time of year for your hot tub filter. Falling leaves, garden debris and more evenings in the water all add up, and a clogged filter is one of the most common reasons we get called out for cloudy water, weak jets and heaters struggling to keep up as the weather turns cold. The good news is that cleaning a hot tub filter is quick and easy. Here is our step-by-step guide, plus how often to do it and when to replace it.

Why Your Hot Tub Filter Matters

Your filter traps dirt, hair, skin oils, lotions and debris as water circulates through the hot tub. When it clogs, water flow drops, your sanitiser has to work harder, and the pump and heater are put under extra strain. Keeping the filter clean means clearer water, lower chemical use, lower running costs and a longer life for your hot tub.

How Often Should You Clean a Hot Tub Filter?

• Every 1 to 2 weeks: a quick rinse with a garden hose.
• Every 1 to 3 months: a deep clean with a hot tub filter cleaning solution to break down oils and scale.
• Every 12 to 24 months: replace the filter cartridge.

If you use your hot tub every day, have lots of bathers or are near trees, lean towards the shorter end of each range. Many owners keep a spare set of filters so one can be cleaned and dried while the other is in use.

How to Clean a Hot Tub Filter: Step by Step

1. Turn off the power

Always switch the hot tub off at the control panel and the isolator before removing the filter, so the pump cannot run without it.

2. Remove the filter

Lift out or unscrew the filter cartridge, following your hot tub’s manual. Check the filter housing for leaves or debris and clear it out.

3. Rinse with a garden hose

Hold the hose at a 45-degree angle and spray down between each pleat from top to bottom, working all the way round. Gently separate the pleats to get at trapped dirt. Do not use a pressure washer, as it can tear the filter fabric.

4. Deep clean every one to three months

Soak the filter in a bucket of water mixed with a dedicated hot tub filter cleaner, following the product instructions, usually for several hours or overnight. This dissolves the oils and lotions a rinse cannot shift. Never use washing-up liquid, bleach or household detergents, and never put a filter in the dishwasher, as residue causes foaming and can damage the pleats.

5. Rinse again and let it dry

Rinse thoroughly to remove all of the cleaner. Letting the filter dry completely before refitting helps the fibres recover and kills off bacteria, which is where a spare set comes in handy.

6. Refit and restart

Put the filter back in, make sure it is seated properly, switch the power back on and check the jets are running normally.

When to Replace Your Hot Tub Filter

Even with regular cleaning, filters wear out. It is time for a new one if the pleats are torn, flattened or permanently discoloured, if the end caps are cracked, or if your water stays cloudy even after a deep clean. A worn filter lets debris through, which can lead to bigger problems with your pump and heater.

Getting Your Filter Ready for Winter

Before the coldest months arrive, give your filter a full deep clean, clear any leaves from the filter housing and skimmer, and check the condition of your cover. A clean filter means your hot tub heats more efficiently through the winter. For more cold-weather tips, read our guide on how to get your hot tub ready for winter.

Let Us Take Care of It

If you would rather leave it to the experts, our hot tub servicing team covers Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire. We clean or replace filters, balance your water and check your hot tub is running at its best, whichever brand you own. Call 01782 312534, get in touch online or visit our showroom at 1 Belgrave Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

Hot Tub Filter FAQs

How often should I clean my hot tub filter?

Rinse it every one to two weeks, give it a deep chemical clean every one to three months, and replace it every 12 to 24 months depending on how much the hot tub is used.

Can I put a hot tub filter in the dishwasher?

No. Dishwasher detergent and high heat can damage the pleats and leave residue that causes foaming. Use a hose and a proper filter cleaner instead.

Can I use a pressure washer on a hot tub filter?

No. A pressure washer can tear the filter fabric. A garden hose with a spray nozzle is all you need.

How do I know when my hot tub filter needs replacing?

Replace it if the pleats are torn, flattened or discoloured even after a deep clean, if the end caps are cracked, or if your water stays cloudy and the flow from the jets is weak.

Do you clean hot tub filters as part of a service?

Yes. Our servicing team checks and cleans filters, balances the water and inspects your hot tub. Visit our hot tub servicing page to book.

Written by Sam on July 21, 2026. Posted in Blog

Can you use a hot tub during a heatwave?

Whenever the temperature climbs, we get the same question from customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire: “Should I just turn the hot tub off until it cools down?” It’s an understandable thought — nobody wants to sit in a bubbling hot bath when it’s already 28°C outside. But the truth is, a hot tub doesn’t have to sit idle all summer. Used the right way, it’s just as enjoyable in a heatwave as it is on a frosty January evening.

Here’s why the “hot tubs are just for winter” myth doesn’t hold up, and how to get the most from yours when the sun’s out.

Myth: A Hot Tub Is Only Good for Cold Weather

It’s easy to assume a hot tub is a strictly seasonal luxury, but that’s simply not how they’re designed to work. Every spa has a fully adjustable thermostat, which means you’re never locked into a piping hot soak. Turn the temperature down to a cooler, more refreshing setting and the whole experience changes — the water becomes a pleasant place to cool off rather than warm up, while you still get the benefit of the jets, the buoyancy and the general sense of relaxation a hot tub provides.

In other words, the “hot” in hot tub is a setting, not a rule.

Myth: Running It in Summer Costs More

Another common assumption is that running a hot tub through a heatwave will send energy bills soaring. Actually, the opposite tends to be true. Warmer air and stronger sunshine mean your heater has far less work to do to maintain a lower temperature, so it runs less often than it would in the depths of winter. The pump and filtration system tick along exactly as normal, keeping the water clean and ready whenever you fancy a dip.

If you know you won’t be using the tub for a stretch of hot days, dropping the temperature down further still will ease the load on the equipment even more, and it’ll come back up to your preferred setting quickly whenever you’re ready to use it again.

What You Should Keep an Eye On

Using your hot tub through a heatwave is absolutely fine, but there are a few extra things worth checking during hot, sunny spells:

• Sanitiser levels. Sunshine and warmer water both use up chlorine or bromine faster, so test a little more frequently than you would the rest of the year.
• pH balance. Heat can nudge pH upward, which reduces how effectively your sanitiser works even when levels look okay.
• Water level. Evaporation speeds up in the heat, especially with the cover off, so top up regularly to protect your pump.
• The cover. Keeping it on between uses stops the water heating up further in direct sun and helps hold your chosen temperature.

A Cooler Soak, Sensibly Done

If you’re using the tub specifically to cool down, a little common sense goes a long way. Keep soak times shorter than you might in winter, stay hydrated throughout, and try to avoid the hottest part of the day if you’re particularly sensitive to the sun. Children especially should be supervised closely and encouraged to drink plenty of water, since they overheat much faster than adults.

So, Yes — Fire It Up (Or Rather, Turn It Down)

A heatwave isn’t a reason to switch your hot tub off and wait for autumn. With the temperature adjusted, it becomes a genuinely refreshing spot to unwind on even the warmest days, and you’ll likely find it costs you less to run than usual too.

If you’d like advice on getting the temperature and water chemistry right for your particular spa, or you’re considering adding a hot tub, swim spa or sauna to your home, the team at Hot Tubs Staffordshire is always happy to help. Based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, we’ve been supplying and supporting spas across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 50 years.

Get in touch with our friendly team today, or visit our showroom to see our full range of hot tubs, swim spas and wellness products.

Written by bwaradmin on September 8, 2026. Posted in Blog

The Benefits of a Home Sauna or Steam Room in Staffordshire

More homeowners across Staffordshire and Cheshire are choosing to bring the sauna or steam room experience home, rather than relying on the odd trip to a leisure centre or spa day. If you’re considering adding one to your own home, here’s what makes them such a worthwhile investment.

Relaxation and Stress Relief

The most obvious draw of a sauna or steam room is simply how good it feels. The heat helps muscles relax, eases tension built up from work or exercise, and gives you a dedicated space to properly switch off, without needing to leave the house.

Potential Wellness Benefits

Regular sauna and steam use is widely associated with a range of wellness benefits, from improved circulation and skin health to easier breathing, particularly with a steam room’s warm, humid air. Many people also find that a sauna session helps them sleep better afterwards.

Sauna or Steam Room: What’s the Difference?

A traditional sauna uses dry heat, often from a wood or electric stove, and typically runs at a higher temperature. A steam room instead uses a generator to fill the room with warm, moist steam at a gentler temperature. Saunas suit those who enjoy intense, dry heat, while steam rooms are often preferred for respiratory benefits and a softer overall experience.

Adding One to Your Staffordshire Home

Whether you have space for a freestanding barrel sauna in the garden, room for a compact indoor sauna, or you’re planning a bathroom renovation with a tiled steam room built in, there’s an option to suit most homes and budgets. Working with an experienced local installer means the design, plumbing, and electrics are all handled properly from the start.

At Hot Tubs Staffordshire, we design and install bespoke saunas and steam rooms across Staffordshire and Cheshire, working with the Finnish Sauna Company to bring genuine Nordic-quality wellness to your home. Take a look at our Saunas and Steam Rooms range, or if you’re based in the city, our dedicated Sauna & Steam Room Installer Stoke-on-Trent page has more on how we can help. Get in touch to talk through your project.

Written by Sam on July 15, 2026. Posted in Blog

Hot Tubs and Heatwaves: How to Keep Enjoying Your Spa When the Temperature Soars

When the UK is basking in a rare heatwave, a steaming hot tub is probably the last thing on your mind. Between fans, paddling pools and iced drinks, your spa can start to feel like an odd fit for the weather. But here at Hot Tubs Staffordshire, we think that’s a shame — because with a few simple adjustments, your hot tub can go from a winter warmer to a summer cool-down spot, without costing you a penny extra to run.

Here’s everything you need to know about looking after your hot tub, and yourself, during a heatwave.

Turn the Temperature Down, Not Off

The instinct in hot weather is to switch your hot tub off completely, but that’s not necessarily the best move. Instead, try dialling the temperature right down to somewhere between 27°C and 30°C.

At this lower setting, the water feels refreshing rather than hot, but it’s not so cold that your body works against you. Plunging into ice-cold water actually triggers your body to try to warm itself back up — the opposite of what you’re after on a scorching afternoon. A gently cool tub, on the other hand, helps bring your core temperature down while still letting you enjoy the massage jets, buoyancy and general relaxation a spa is built for.

It’s a great way to get more use out of your investment all year round, rather than having it sit idle for the two or three weeks a year the UK actually gets properly hot.

Your Running Costs Will Actually Drop

One silver lining of a heatwave is that your energy bills for the hot tub should fall, not rise. With the sun doing a lot of the heavy lifting, your heater barely needs to kick in to hold a lower temperature, and the pump and filtration system carry on doing their job as normal — keeping the water clean, circulating and ready to use.

If you know you won’t be using the tub for a few days while you’re away or the weather is at its peak, dropping the set temperature even further (down to around 20°C) will ease the load on your equipment and save a bit more on running costs. It’ll heat back up quickly once you’re ready to use it again.

Keep an Eye on Water Chemistry

Warm weather changes the chemistry inside your tub faster than you might expect, so it’s worth paying a little extra attention during a hot spell:

• Test more often. Sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) burns off more quickly in strong sunlight and warmer water, so test every day or two rather than your usual weekly check.
• Watch your pH. Heat tends to push pH upward, which makes your sanitiser less effective even if your levels look fine on paper. Aim to keep it in the recommended range for your system.
• Shock the water regularly. Suncream, sweat and body oils build up faster when the tub is being used more often in summer, so a weekly shock treatment helps keep the water clear and your sanitiser working efficiently.
• Top up the water level. Evaporation speeds up in hot weather, particularly if the cover is left off for long periods. Keep the level topped up so your pump isn’t left running dry.

Look After Your Cover and Filter

Your cover isn’t just for keeping debris out — in summer, it also helps regulate how much heat the water picks up from direct sunlight. Popping it back on between uses will stop the water creeping above your set temperature on a baking hot day.

Your filter will also be working harder if you’re using the tub more often. A quick rinse every few days, plus a deeper clean every couple of weeks during busy periods, will keep water flow strong and prevent unnecessary strain on the pump.

A Few Safety Reminders for Hot Weather

Even with the water running cooler, a hot tub is still warmer than the air on most days, so it’s worth taking a couple of sensible precautions:

• Stay hydrated — keep a cold drink to hand and sip regularly while you soak.
• Keep soak times shorter than usual, especially in the middle of the day.
• Avoid the tub during peak UV hours if you can, and use sun protection if you are using it midday.
• Keep an eye on children, who can overheat much faster than adults.
• If you’re already feeling the effects of the heat, it’s best to cool down and rehydrate before getting in.

Don’t Forget — Hot Tubs Aren’t Just for Summer

Of course, British heatwaves never last long, and before you know it the temperature will have dropped back down again. The great thing about owning a hot tub is that it works just as hard for you in October as it does in July — offering warmth, relaxation and hydrotherapy benefits whatever the season.

If you’re thinking about adding a hot tub, swim spa or sauna to your home, or you need help getting the most from the one you already own, the team at Hot Tubs Staffordshire is on hand. Based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, we’ve been supplying and supporting spas across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 50 years.

Get in touch with our friendly team today, or pop into our showroom to see our full range of hot tubs, swim spas and wellness products.

Written by bwaradmin on September 8, 2026. Posted in Blog

Platinum Spas vs Arctic Spas: Which Hot Tub Is Right for You?

If you’re weighing up your options for a new hot tub, two of the most popular ranges we supply here at Hot Tubs Staffordshire are Platinum Spas and Arctic Spas. Both are excellent, well-established brands, but they’re built with slightly different priorities in mind. Here’s how they compare, so you can work out which is the better fit for your home.

Platinum Spas: Luxury, Design and Hydrotherapy

Platinum Spas is all about combining striking design with serious hydrotherapy performance. The range offers the widest choice of award-winning hot tubs and swim spas in the Superior Wellness portfolio, with models ranging from compact two-seaters to large entertaining tubs.

If you want a hot tub that looks as good as it feels, with sleek styling, mood lighting, and a strong choice of jet configurations and seating layouts, Platinum Spas is a fantastic place to start. It’s a range built for homeowners who see their hot tub as a genuine design feature as much as a wellness investment.

Arctic Spas: Built to Last, Whatever the Weather

Arctic Spas takes a different approach, with durability and insulation at its core. Designed originally to withstand the extreme climates of Canada, these hot tubs bring a ‘Forever Hot Tub’ build quality and a FreeHeat system that recycles heat from the pump and motor to keep running costs down, even through a British winter.

If low running costs, robust construction, and genuine year-round reliability matter more to you than having the widest range of styling options, Arctic Spas is likely to be the better fit, particularly if your hot tub will see heavy use across all seasons.

Which Should You Choose?

There’s no single right answer — it depends on what matters most to you. If design, choice, and a touch of luxury are top priorities, take a look at our full Platinum Spas range. If you want a hot tub that’s built to withstand anything the seasons throw at it while keeping energy bills sensible, our Arctic Spas range is well worth a look.

Still not sure? That’s exactly what our showroom in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent is for. Come and see both ranges side by side, sit in a few models, and let our team talk you through the differences in person. Get in touch to arrange a visit.