If you are one of the lucky few to have a whirlpool tub in your master bathroom, then you know how wonderful one can be. Having a whirlpool tub allows you to enjoy a zen-like spa moment after the end of a long, hard day… without ever leaving the comfort of your home. However, to keep your Whirlpool bathtub in good condition, there is a bit of preventative maintenance that needs to be done.
Ways to Avoid Detrimental Effects to Your Whirlpool Tub
Problems can arise from mineral deposits, soap scum and hard water stains, so it is important to keep your whirlpool bathtub clean on a regular basis. Avoid soap scum by choosing your soaps and soaking aids carefully; avoid oily products in order to simplify the cleaning process.
After using the tub, rinse the interior surfaces with your cloth and clean water and wipe dry with a towel. About once a week, wash all the surfaces of the bathtub with a mild solution of vinegar and water, rinse and dry.
Do not use wire brushes, metal sponges, knives, steel wool, or scouring pads of any kind. Also, be sure to not use any petroleum-based solvents such as paint thinner, acetone or abrasive cleanser on any part of the tub.
How to Clean Whirlpool Tub and Jets
Whether you use dishwasher detergent or a commercial cleanser, the technique for cleaning the jet is the same.
Begin by filling your whirlpool tub with hot water. The water should be at least 140 degrees F to ensure that any residue will dissolve. Add four to eight tablespoons of dishwasher detergent or the recommended amount of commercial cleanser. If you are using dishwasher detergent, you can also add one-half cup of bleach, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
With the air induction off, run the water jets for twenty minutes. After twenty minutes drain the water.
Continue by filling the whirlpool tub with cold water. Run the whirlpool tub for an additional twenty minutes. Clean the interior of the tub with a nonabrasive cleanser.
Learning how to clean a whirlpool tub is only useful if you regularly and thoroughly clean the jets. Try associating the monthly cleaning with some other task you complete once a month or mark it on your calendar. Whirlpool tubs that are used frequently should be cleaned more often. If you regularly use a lot of bath salts or other bubble baths, you may also need to clean the jets more frequently.
Removing Deposits and Water Stains
Fill the tub up with hot water to the same level, again. Add three cups of white vinegar to the tub. Run the jets for another ten to fifteen minutes. Drain and rinse the tub. The vinegar is safe enough for your jets, but still tough enough to take on even the hardest mineral buildup.
Periodic Disinfecting of Your Whirlpool Bathtub
Twice per month or more, depending on usage, purge and clean the entire whirlpool system.
[su_note note_color=”#FCF2EA” radius=”5″]Be sure the air switch is turned off. Fill the whirlpool bathtub with hot water to a level of 2 inches above the highest jet. Add 2 tablespoons of low-sudsing automatic dishwasher detergent (such as Electrasol) and ½ cup of household bleach to the water. Run the whirlpool for at least 15 minutes. Drain the water, and refill the tub with cold water. Run the whirlpool for 10 minutes, then drain and wipe with a soft cloth.[/su_note]
Surface Repairs for Your Whirlpool Tub
It is possible for the homeowner to buff out a scratch or minor abrasion; if such a repair is needed, consult your owner’s manual for the correct way to take care of the problem. You will need to use the services of a qualified acrylic repair company to repair heavy damages or damage to the bottom of the bath.
Items to Never Use in a Whirlpool Tub
As romantic and relaxing as diving into a tub with bubbles up to your chin is, it is not a reality with a whirlpool tub. In fact, it is recommended that you abstain from using any bath bubbles, bath oils, bath salts, or shaving creams inside a jetted tub. In fact, using these items while the jets are running can cause them to be ruined. Thus, it is incredibly important to make sure you adhere to these guidelines during all tub uses.
Obviously, the more often you use the whirlpool tub, the more often you will need to maintain it. For a once a week user, you should take maintenance action once every two months. For a daily user, you will probably want to perform these tasks once a month.
Conclusion: A Clean Bathtub Enhances Its Value and Beauty
The purchase and installation of a whirlpool bathtub is a big investment and one that the homeowner will want to protect by following a proper cleaning and maintenance routine. By doing so, the homeowner will preserve property value while reaping the reward of a beautiful tub to use throughout the years of homeownership.
