Sinking into a jetted tub filled with warm water is a wonderful way to relax at the end of a busy day. However, the jetted system of the tub allows oil and dirt to push in and out of the jets, which leads to the accumulation of bacteria and buildup. The system also allows for easy cleaning. Homeowners can choose from multiple methods of cleaning a jetted tub, including using household cleaning supplies, natural products, and biofilm removers. Reading more about how to clean a jetted bath is the key for a sparkling tub. Before cleaning a jetted tub, check the owner's manual to see the recommendations of the manufacturer regarding cleaning. In most cases, manufacturers specify the types of cleaners that work well for a specific model. Some manufacturers recommend closing all the air controls on the jets, whereas others specify that the air controls should be open during cleaning. As a rule of thumb, a jetted tub requires cleaning at least once a month. To clean a jetted bathtub with regular cleaning supplies, grab some powdered laundry detergent or another type of cleanser and household bleach.

Fill the tub with hot water, making sure the level is about 4 inches over the highest jets. Next, turn off the air induction valve, if the manufacturer does not specify otherwise, and add approximately 1/4 cup of powdered detergent to the water. Avoid using acidic detergents, as these may strip the sealant on the brass elements. Add 1/2 cup of household bleach, and then run the jets for about 15 minutes. If the owner's manual specifies to avoid bleach, replace it with vinegar. Next, drain the tub, clean out any residue, and then refill it with cold water. Run the jets again for at least 10 minutes for a thorough rinse, and then drain the tub. If using chemical products for cleaning a jetted tub is not ideal, opt for natural solutions. Baking soda, vinegar, an old toothbrush, and a cleaning rag are the supplies necessary for this process. Start by sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface of the tub, and scrub it well with a damp cleaning rag. Pay special attention to the area around the drain and the faucet.

With an old toothbrush, deep clean the outside of the jets. Do not rinse the baking soda just yet. Fill up the tub with hot water, add 3 cups of vinegar, and then turn on the jets. Let the jets run for a couple of minutes, and then drain the water. If there is a lot of buildup, repeat the process. Another method to clean a jetted tub is to use a biofilm remover. Biofilm is a type of deposit that is difficult to remove with regular cleaning. Because biofilm often carries bacteria potentially harmful to humans, use a special cleaner designed for this kind of accumulation. Patio Furniture Mesh MetalAll biofilm removers come with instructions. Discount Flooring Salt Lake City UtahRead them carefully to avoid causing any damage to the tub.Free Lab Puppies Oklahoma

Start by filling the tub with water, covering the jets completely. Turn on the jets, and add the biofilm remover according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Run the jets for the specified amount of time. This may range from 15 minutes to one hour. Next, drain the tub and clean any residue. Refill the tub with hot water, and let the jets run again for a couple of minutes. You can easily find all the cleaning supplies you need to clean your jetted tub with a few clicks on eBay. From nonabrasive bathroom cleaners to household bleach, you can easily buy the cleaning product of your choice from one of the numerous reliable sellers on the website. Find the item you need quickly by typing its name into the search bar on any page. To speed up the search, use one or more of the filters provided to refine the results by price, location of the seller, or brand.If you like soaking in a Jacuzzi or whirlpool bath after a trip to the gym, chances are you and your sore muscles are not soaking alone.

Soap scum, mold, mildew, bacteria and pathogens love soaking in warm water just as much as you do. Water remains in jacuzzi/whirlpool and even hot tub pipes after you drain them completely. My husband and I learned that lesson when we drained our hot tub last winter and temperatures went below freezing for several days. When it warmed up we tried to fill the tub up and it quickly became apparent that the pipes had frozen and burst due to water expansion. The damage was so extensive we had to buy a whole new tub. It was an expensive way to learn that there's a significant amount of water left in tub pipes even after draining. In a jetted tub, soaking in water that remained in the pipes after your last bath is not a happy thought. It's the same as reserving a gallon (or more) of dirty bathwater from your last relaxing soak and pouring the stagnant water back into the tub the next time you use it. Keep your jets clean to avoid the health hazards associated with filthy water in your jetted tub pipes.

Knowing how to clean bathtub jets properly will keep you soaking in good health. The jets get dirty in part based on the type of soap you use (bar soap and some bubble bath soaps are the worst offenders), your skin cells, natural body oils combined with your soaking solutions like baby oil, essential oils or skin softeners that are not completely removed from the pipes. The dirty water containing remaining soap, skin cells, body oils and bacteria that is naturally present on you and in the water will allows for a slimy buildup called a biofilm to grow in the plumbing lines of your jetted tub. When used over and again, the dirty water and slime may cause odors, mold and mildew, discoloration and possibly even an infection when you come into contact with the water. If bathtub jets are not cleaned on a regular basis soap scum can buildup and become hardened, and will be very difficult to remove. If you see gunk, dark flecks, or notice a smell when the jets are operating, this could also be mold or mildew and is undoubtedly a clear sign it's time to clean the inner workings of your bathtub jets.

A biofilm is a film of bacteria or a group of microorganisms where cells stick to each other and can be found on many surfaces that are very humid or not sterile. Because isolated air and water are left in all whirlpool/jacuzzi and jetted tub pipes after you use them, they allow the growth of harmful bacteria that recirculates when the jets are turned on again. At the push of a button, the stagnant water containing bacteria, dead skin and soap residue comes spewing back into your fresh new bath. According to Texas A & M microbiologist Dr. Rita B. Moyes, this is where trouble starts: “a normal teaspoon of tap water contains an average of about 138 bacteria, with many samples not having any bacteria at all. But the same teaspoon of whirlpool tub water contains an average of more than 2.17 million bacteria. The stagnant water in a whirlpool bathtub pipe is a great place for bacteria to grow and grow." /2013/biofilms/ shows you a computer model time-lapse simulation of a developing biofilm.

It shows the amazing resistance of microbial biofilm to disinfectants and other chemical agents. Now that I've got your attention on the importance of keeping the jets clean, here's how to take care of the problem. Flushing the pipes won't prevent bacteria from growing inside them, but might delay the buildup of biofilm by reducing the level of of debris in the remaining bathwater in the pipes after using the jets. If you have visible buildup inside the holes of the jet itself, it bight be easiest to simply grab an old toothbrush or a long-handled soft brush and gently scrub inside the jet with a bit of shampoo to remove any accumulated oils. Make a point to inspect the holes when you have your next bath and do a routine wipe down to avoid this from becoming a problem. To clean the entire whirlpool system and tub exterior, follow this process every month or more frequently if needed. Don't let dirt and grime build up or you'll have more scrubbing to do to get the tub clean.

Bleach liquefies and removes mold and mildew on contact. Chlorine bleach will help to sterilize the jets, kill bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew and reduce odors. Bleach won't make a dent on soap scum in the tub or inside of the pipes. It will also not clean anything covered in biofilm. Vinegar is a very effective odor neutralizer and cleaner. Vinegar is a mild acid that will help to kill mold and mildew but it’s not nearly as effective as chlorine bleach. Vinegar is less likely to irritate the skin as bleach will if not completely removed from the tub. Because vinegar is an acid it reduces hard water spots left from minerals in the water and soften soap scum which will make cleaning the bathtub itself easier. Do not add any soap, detergent, baking soda or any other solution when using vinegar. These substances are alkaline and at the very least will counteract the effectiveness of cleaning with vinegar to begin with. On the more serious side, certain cleaners may react with vinegar and produce toxic fumes which can be very harmful to your health.