Hot Tub Scum can be a problem, and if you don’t know how to get rid of scum, then has a tendency to stay around for a while.
The last thing you want is a scum ring around your hot tub, not only does it make the hot tub look bad, but it may also cause potential problems in the future too.
The best way to avoid this is by gaining some knowledge on exactly what you should do if you ever have problems with scum in your hot tub.
So to learn how to get rid of scum in your hot tub, keep reading.
What causes hot tub scum?
Before we jump into how to get rid of scum it’s good to take a look at what scum actually is and how it is caused.
In short, hot tub scum is caused by a number of things including a build-up of bacteria, chemicals and residue. It is worth mentioning that the chemicals that cause scum are most often man-made things, such as make-up, lotions and oily skin products.
If the hot tub filter isn’t working then this can also be a reason why debris might be building up and creating scum and a scum ring around the hot tub.
Aside from the hot tub filter, another reason why the hot tub may have scum is that the water simply has too much calcium in it which can cause scaling.

How to get rid of hot tub scum
After you have noticed that you have a scum problem, it’s time to start looking for solutions on how to get rid of it. While it may seem like it’s a difficult job to get rid of the scum, it’s actually not too complex.
It’s all a matter of knowing what you are doing when it comes to dealing with hot tub scum.
As we have mentioned before, if it’s left untreated, that’s when it can become a much bigger problem.
Many people make the mistake of seeing the scum sitting there, yet they never really do anything about it, so the best thing to do is make a decision to get rid of it and set a deadline to have it removed.

1. Test the water
Once you have decided to get the scum removed, the next thing you will need to do is test the water and there is an important reason why you need to do this.
The main reason why you need to test the water is to see if there is too much or too little calcium in the water. If there is too much calcium then you need to know how much calcium there is so you can treat it.
If it turns out that there is too much calcium in the water, then it’s important to deal with that before moving to the next step.
The calcium may have hardened and created scaling, if this has happened to your hot tub then one of the best ways to do get rid of it is by using a solution.
There are all kinds of solutions out there to help with descaling and cleaning your hot tub, however, we would recommend asking your hot tub dealer which one is recommended for your hot tub.
2. Cleaning your hot tub
Once you have your solution, now it’s time to apply it and start using it to clean off the rest of the scum in the hot tub. You can do this by taking a clean cloth and scrubbing the sides of the hot tub where the scum is.
It’s important to pay attention to the areas that have the most buildup as they will need to be cleaned more carefully.
If there is quite a large amount of buildup then you may need multiple clean clothes to clean it all off so it’s important to be prepared.

3. Prevent future hot tub scum build up
While there is never a 100% guarantee that scum will not return, there are definitely ways to help prevent scum from reappearing.
What it comes down to is ensuring that you are cleaning your hot tub regularly. This means that you should be shocking your hot tub on a regular basis, cleaning it after every use and also having a deep cleaning schedule.
You should also balance your water on a regular basis too, this will help you know if there are any issues with your water or calcium build up. Another thing you should do is take showers before using your hot tub. This can significantly reduce any residue from makeup body lotions and oily skin products.
Follow these tips and you should see significantly less hot tub scum buildup in your spa. If you would like to find more useful information about hot tubs, then why not view our other blogs.
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