Foamy Hot Tub: Why Your Hot Tub Is Foaming and How to Fix It Fast

Foam in your hot tub can be unsightly and annoying. A foamy hot tub is usually caused by a combination of oils, dirt, soaps, and other substances that build up in the hot tub water. The foam forms on the surface as these contaminants mix with air bubbles.

It might look harmless when your hot tub is foaming, but it can actually make soaking in your hot tub less enjoyable and could mean that your water chemistry is off balance and needs attention. Foam can make soaking less enjoyable and may indicate your water chemistry is off balance, which is important to address to keep your hot tub safe and comfortable.

Luckily, there are several ways you can get rid of foam in your hot tub and prevent your hot tub from foaming up again.

In this article, we’ll talk about filtration systems, chemical treatments, manual cleaning methods, and simple maintenance tips to help you stop foam in your hot tub from coming back for good.

What Causes Foam in Your Hot Tub?

Foam in your hot tub is caused by a mix of oils, dirt, soaps, and other contaminants that enter the water over time. These substances can come from sweat, sunscreen, body oils, lotions, or even hair products like shampoo and conditioner.

It could also mean that the chemicals in the water aren’t balanced, such as having high pH levels or low alkalinity levels. 

Another reason why your hot tub is foaming could be from soap residue or cleaning product buildup. Using soap-based products when washing your hot tub can leave a thin layer behind that foams up as the jets introduce air bubbles.

Soap or laundry detergent from washing swimsuits can cause foam in your hot tub as well. Even a small bit of detergent can create lots of bubbles and foam. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to rinse swimsuits really well with fresh water before getting in the hot tub.

How to Get Rid of Foam in Your Hot Tub

Test Your Water

First things first, test your hot tub water. Checking the pH, alkalinity, sanitizer levels, and total dissolved solids (TDS) will help you figure out why your hot tub is foaming. High TDS can make water more prone to bubbles and foam.

Drain and Refill

After testing your water and noting the chemical levels, the easiest way to get rid of foam is to drain and give your hot tub a good cleaning. You might also want to flush the lines and either replace or deeply clean the filters.

Once your spa is drained, cleaned, and refilled, test the water again. Add the proper chemicals in the right dosages and let the water run for at least a day. After that, test it one more time to make sure everything is balanced before you jump in.

How to Prevent Foam in Your Hot Tub

If you want to stop your hot tub from foaming, prevention is key.

• Shower before going into your hot tub to remove soap residue, oils, and contaminants.

• Rinse your bathing suit with fresh water instead of laundry detergent.

• Avoid introducing hair products and excess oils into the water by limiting submersion of your head and rinsing hair before using the hot tub.

• Maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to prevent foam in hot tubs from forming. Using an all-in-one treatment like TubTabs can help keep your water balanced, reduce contaminants, and minimize the chances of foam forming in your hot tub.

Avoid a Foamy Hot Tub All Year Long

A foamy hot tub can be annoying, but once you know why your hot tub is foaming and what to do about it, keeping it clean becomes much easier. Test your water regularly, drain and refill when needed, and keep your chemicals balanced. Simple habits like rinsing your swimsuit and showering before using the hot tub also make a big difference. Using quality maintenance products like TubTabs Complete Care Kit can help reduce contaminants and maintain balanced water, which keeps your hot tub from foaming. With steady care, you can prevent foam in your hot tub and enjoy clear, inviting water every time you soak.