How to Banish Hot Tub Odors

There’s nothing worse than stepping into your backyard, ready to enjoy a relaxing soak, and being hit with an awful smell coming from your hot tub. I mean, the whole point of having a hot tub is to unwind, not to feel like you’re soaking in a giant bottle of eau de funk.

I’ll never forget the time my neighbor Dave called me over to check out his hot tub because it smelled, and I quote, “like a damp locker room mixed with a hint of wet dog.” He was convinced something had crawled in and died. Spoiler alert: nothing had. What he was dealing with was a classic case of neglected water chemistry and a filter that hadn’t been cleaned in way too long.

If your hot tub is starting to smell funky, don’t panic. You’re not alone, and the good news is, it’s usually an easy fix. Here’s what might be causing the odor and how you can get your tub back to being the soothing oasis you deserve.

The Usual Suspects

1. Dirty Filters
   Your hot tub filter is the MVP when it comes to keeping the water clean. But if you don’t rinse it regularly or give it a good soak in a filter cleaner every few weeks, it’s going to clog up with gunk. That gunk, by the way, is usually a mix of oils, hair, and whatever else people bring into the tub. Gross, right? When Dave finally pulled his filter out, it was so filthy it looked like a wet shag carpet. Lesson learned.

2. Unbalanced Water Chemistry
   Your pH and sanitizer levels are kind of like the yin and yang of hot tub maintenance. If they’re out of whack, bacteria and algae can grow, and trust me, they don’t smell like roses. Low sanitizer levels, in particular, can lead to the kind of odor that makes you want to hold your breath while soaking.

3. Biofilm Build-Up
   Biofilm is basically a slimy layer of bacteria that can cling to the surfaces of your tub’s plumbing. If you’ve ever noticed that weird, slippery feeling when you run your hand along the side of the tub, that’s probably biofilm. Once it’s in there, regular cleaning won’t get rid of it. You’ll need a plumbing cleaner or flush to break it down.

Fixing the Funk

The first thing you’ll want to do is test your water. A good set of test strips will tell you if your pH and sanitizer levels are off. Adjust as needed, but don’t just throw in more chemicals and hope for the best (trust me, I tried that once, and it didn’t work).

If the smell persists, take out your filter and give it a good clean. Rinse it thoroughly with a hose, then let it soak in a filter cleaning solution. Filters are often the unsung heroes of hot tub maintenance, and keeping them clean can solve a lot of problems.

Finally, if you suspect biofilm, grab a plumbing cleaner and run it through your system. It’s one of those extra steps that most people don’t think about, but it can make a huge difference.

Prevention is Key

Once you’ve gotten rid of the smell, keeping it from coming back is all about staying on top of your maintenance routine.

• Rinse your filter weekly and deep clean it monthly.
• Check your water chemistry every few days, especially after heavy use.
• Shock your water regularly to keep bacteria and contaminants in check.

And here’s a bonus tip: make sure everyone rinses off before getting into the hot tub. I know it feels weird asking your guests to take a quick shower, but trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not dealing with oils, lotions, and who-knows-what-else messing with your water.

Dealing with a smelly hot tub isn’t exactly fun, but it’s not the end of the world either. Most of the time, the issue boils down to simple maintenance tasks that are easy to overlook. The key is to stay consistent with your care routine and not let things slide.

As for Dave, I’m happy to report his hot tub is now odor-free, and he’s become a bit of a maintenance guru. He even bought me a coffee to thank me for helping him out, which I think was his way of apologizing for making me smell his gross filter.

So, if you’re struggling with hot tub odors, don’t stress. Follow these tips, and you’ll be back to enjoying your tub in no time.