The New Hot Tub Owner’s Guide: Your First 3 Months of Water Care, Cleaning and Support

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

YOUR FIRST 3 MONTHS OF HOT TUB CARE

• Test your water more frequently during the first 2–3 weeks. (1)
  
• Never allow the hot tub to run out of sanitiser (2)
  
• Most ongoing care only takes a few minutes (3)
  
• Deep cleaning is occasional rather than constant (4)

The first few weeks are about getting familiar with your water, learning what your hot tub needs and building a routine that soon becomes quick and straightforward.

HOT TUB WATER CARE FOR NEW OWNERS

How to Settle Into Your Routine, Keep Things Simple, and Feel Confident From Day One

Once your hot tub is installed and you’ve started enjoying it, there’s usually a moment where questions naturally come up.

Even when everything has been set up properly on installation day, it’s completely normal to want a reminder of the routine once the hot tub becomes part of everyday life.

Things like:

• How often do we need to clean it?
  
• Is there a difference between regular cleaning and a deeper clean?
  
• What products do we need to start with?
  
• Are we doing the water care correctly?
  
• What can we refer back to after installation day?

Since 2012, we’ve helped customers settle into hot tub ownership, and we see the same pattern again and again.

Not because it’s complicated.

But because most people go from the excitement of buying and installation to learning how the hot tub fits into everyday life.

So this guide brings it all together, clearly and practically, so you can settle in quickly and enjoy your hot tub with confidence.

HOT TUB INSTALLATION AND HANDOVER

Before You’re Left With Your Hot Tub, We Talk You Through It Properly

Before you get to the point of looking after your hot tub yourself, we make sure everything has been checked, set up and explained properly on installation day.

Once the hot tub is in position and you’re happy with where it sits, we fill it and use that time to finish the practical setup around it.

That might include setting up the steps, fitting the cover lifter and attaching the cover latches, so everything is ready to use safely and comfortably.

Steps are usually part of the setup conversation because they make getting in and out safer and easier, especially in the evening or during colder months.

Once the hot tub is full, we go through it again properly.

We check the settings, the jets, the diverters and the main components to make sure everything is working as it should.

We’ll also show you how to unlock and open the cover, use the cover lifter, operate the controls, adjust the jets, understand the diverters, use the lights, and, where included, use features such as stereo controls.

We’ll explain how air is introduced into the jet stream, where the filters are, and what to know when the hot tub eventually needs draining.

The aim is not to overload you with information.

It is to make sure the parts you’ll use most often feel familiar before we leave.

Owners of premium spas can also explore the Jacuzzi® hot tub range to understand the features that make everyday ownership easier.

Understanding Hot Tub water care

Water Care Is Usually the Main Thing New Owners Want to Understand

For many new owners, water care is the part they want the clearest guidance on at first.

• How often should you test it?
  
• How much product should you add?
  
• What needs doing daily, weekly, fortnightly or every few months?
  
• What should you check if the water changes slightly?

That’s why water care training is such an important part of the handover.

Before we leave, we talk you through the routine clearly and practically, so you know what to do and when to do it.

You’ll also have a laminated water care sheet that is specific to your hot tub, with the correct guidance and dosages for your model.

That should be your first point of call.

It means you have clear guidance to refer back to, rather than trying to piece together different instructions.

Water care is not difficult, but there is a lot to take in on installation day.

We fully understand that once your hot tub is ready, all you want to do is get in and enjoy it.

But spending a little time focusing on the water in those first few weeks is best practice, because it helps you understand what your hot tub needs and how it behaves with your routine.

And if you would like advice, you can contact us by WhatsApp, phone or email for support.

Where relevant, you may also have access to the O-Care app, which can help make water care easier to understand and keep on top of as you settle into ownership.

Most new owners find water care becomes much simpler once the routine clicks.

TESTING YOUR HOT TUB WATER

The First Few Weeks Are About Learning Your Water

The first 2-3 weeks are where you get to understand your hot tub properly.

At this stage, it can help to test the water when you get in and again when you get out.

That might sound like a lot at first, but it gives you a much better feel for how much sanitiser your hot tub is using, how the water changes after use, and what normal looks like for you.

This is also when you’ll start to understand things like how much sanitiser your hot tub uses, whether the pH is staying where it should be, and whether the alkalinity is balanced.

When those are right, the water works at its best and the hot tub is easier to look after.

The one thing we always stress is this:

Don’t let the hot tub run out of sanitiser.

If you are on a bromine routine, that means keeping bromine in the water consistently.

If you are on a chlorine routine, follow the guidance for chlorine instead.

Keeping sanitiser in the water consistently is one of the simplest ways to protect the water quality, prolong the life of the water, and help the hot tub keep running as it should.

After those first few weeks, it becomes much easier.

And from there, you can simply enjoy your hot tub, knowing you have the AWL team, your laminated water care guide and, where relevant, the O-Care app whenever you need support.

NEW HOT TUB maintenance ROUTINE

Your First 3 Months - What Changes as You Settle In

At the start, everything feels new.

You’ll check things more often than you need to later.

You’ll start to recognise what normal looks like for your hot tub.

You’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything correctly.

That’s completely normal.

Most of the learning happens in the first few weeks.

After that, the routine becomes much more familiar.

What Maintenance Do You Need and How Often?

This is where clear guidance helps.

In reality, the routine is much simpler than many new owners expect.

In the very beginning, you may check more often while you’re learning how your hot tub behaves.

After that, most of the time, you’re mainly doing the quick checks and regular cleaning.



The deeper care happens less often and helps keep everything running smoothly long term.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGULAR AND DEEP CLEAN

Regular Cleaning:

Your Week-to-Week Routine

This is what keeps your water clear and balanced week to week.

It includes:

• checking your water regularly
  
• adding small amounts of sanitiser if needed
  
• making sure the hot tub never runs out of sanitiser
  
• rinsing your filters
  
• quick visual checks before getting in

This is light, quick and becomes part of your normal routine.

Deep Cleaning:

Less Often, More Thorough

This is about keeping the system itself running properly over time.

Typically done every 3-4 months, it includes:

• fully draining and refilling the hot tub
  
• deep cleaning the filters or replacing them if needed
  
• flushing the system if required
  
• resetting your water from fresh

This is not something you do often.

But done properly, it helps keep everything performing as it should long term.

The useful thing to know is that you do not need a complicated routine.

Consistent, simple weekly care does most of the work.

Deep cleaning just resets everything, so the hot tub stays easy to enjoy.

If you need help keeping your water clear and your spa running properly, you can book a hot tub service with our team.

HOT TUB CHEMICALS FOR first time owners

What Do You Need to Buy to Get Started?

This is where new owners often want a clear list.

The essentials usually cover most of what you’ll need:

• water test strips for quick checks
  
• sanitiser, such as chlorine or bromine
  
• pH increaser / decreaser for small balance adjustments
  
• filter cleaner to keep everything running properly
  
• non-chlorine shock / non-shock treatment, depending on your water care routine
  
• No Scale, where recommended for your water and setup

That’s your core setup.

Everything else can be added later if it becomes useful.

Starting with the essentials keeps the routine simple and helps you add extras only when they are right for your hot tub and your setup.

HOT TUB ACCESSORIES

Helpful Extras - When You’re Ready

You don’t need every accessory on day one.

Some items are usually part of the core setup conversation, such as steps, because they make getting in and out safer and easier.

Others are often better once you’ve lived with the hot tub for a little while.

For example, some customers like the idea of spa tables or other add-ons, but it can be better to wait before deciding where those should go.

At the start, you might not know which seat will become your favourite.

You might not know which side feels most natural for drinks, towels or accessories.

And you might not know how the space will feel until you’ve spent time enjoying it.

That’s why we won’t rush to fit certain accessories in a place that may not suit you later.

It’s a better level of service to let you settle in first, then help you get them in the right place.

Our team can advise, and where needed, arrange engineer support.

Helpful extras people often come back for include:

• handrail for easier access
  
• cover lifter for easier opening and closing
  
• spa tables, once you know where they will work best
  
• comfort upgrades for longer soaks
  
• shelter or privacy additions, where suitable

This is where your hot tub starts to feel less like a product and more like a space you enjoy.

HOT TUB CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES

Where Should You Buy Chemicals and Supplies?

Early on, a lot of people try to piece things together from different places.

What we consistently see is this:

They come back to one trusted supplier.

Because it keeps things simple.

You know the products are right for your specific tub.

You can check compatibility.

You avoid mixing products that do not work well together.

And you have someone to ask if you would like advice.

It’s not just about convenience.

It’s about getting the right products and guidance from the start.

HOT TUB CARE FAQS

Hot Tub faqs: The Questions Most New Owners Ask

HOT TUB SERVICING

Servicing, So Key Checks and Maintenance Are Handled Properly

Servicing can help with:

• system checks
  
• filter cleaning or replacement where needed
  
• component inspections
  
• seasonal refreshes
  
• general maintenance advice

Explore servicing options here.

HOT TUB REPAIRs

Repairs, When Something Needs Attention

If you notice:

• temperature dropping
  
• jets not performing properly
  
• unusual noise
  
• something not responding as expected

It’s always easier to have it checked early.

Because we carry a wide range of hot tub parts and have engineers available, support is there if something needs attention.

If something stops you using your hot tub, we aim to have one of our in-house engineers out within 72 hours.

If your water, heat or jets are not behaving as expected, our hot tub troubleshooting guide covers simple checks every owner should know.

HOT TUB MOVING AND RELOCATION

Moving or Relocating Your Hot Tub

Most people don’t plan for this, but it can become useful later.

Handled properly, it’s straightforward.

Handled incorrectly, it can cause expensive damage.

HOT TUB GAZEBOS AND SHELTERS

Creating the Space Around It

One of the biggest shifts we see is what people build around the hot tub.

A pergola or garden structure can make the hot tub area feel more private, sheltered and complete.

That can help with:

• more privacy
  
• protection from the weather
  
• a space that feels finished

Explore Nova Pergolas here.

SIMPLE HOT TUB MAINTENANCE

What This All Comes Down To

When everything is set up properly and supported properly, your hot tub becomes simple.

It is not just about choosing the right hot tub.

It is about having it installed properly, being shown how it works, understanding how to look after it, and knowing you have support if you ever need it.

If you are comparing simpler hot tub ownership options, the AquaSolus hot tub range includes practical models for regular family use.

It is also about protecting the water and the hot tub itself by keeping on top of the small things consistently.

A simple water care routine helps prolong the life of the water, keeps the hot tub working at its best, and makes ownership feel much easier long term.

To understand longer-term care, our guide to proper hot tub servicing explains what professional maintenance usually involves.

HOT TUB CARE FOR NEW OWNERS

Keep It Simple From Day One

You don’t need more information from every corner of the internet.

You just need the right setup:

• the right products
  
• clear guidance
  
• a simple routine
  
• your laminated water care sheet
  
• access to the O-Care app, where relevant
  
• support when you need it

If you want to keep things simple from day one, the right products and the right support make all the difference.

Start with the basics.

• Use your water care guide.
  
• Check more often in the first few weeks.
  
• Never let the hot tub run out of sanitiser.
  
• Ask whenever you would like advice.

And let the hot tub become what it should be:

something you enjoy, not something you worry about.

We’re here whenever you need us.

Browse the essentials or speak to our team for straightforward, practical support.