How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Tub Pillows
So you just got a brand new shiny set of pillows for your hot tub. Or maybe you have a whole new hot tub. How do you keep your pillows looking their best for as long as possible? We have a few tips and tricks to get as much life out of your new pillows as possible.
Care Tips for Maintaining Your Spa Pillows
Keep Them Clean
Keep them clean. Regularly wipe down your pillows with a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge, and if necessary, a gentle cleaner to remove residue from hair products, lotions, etc. If possible, take a quick shower to rinse any products out of your hair before entering the spa, as things like hair spray, gels and mousse can be damaging to your pillows.
Maintain Proper Water Chemistry
Maintain the water. The most common enemy of hot tub headrests is pH or alkalinity being too low. If either or both of these are out of range, the water becomes very acidic (or, if too high, alkaline), which very quickly erodes the soft material the pillows are made of. Even if the pillows are not in contact with the water, the gases from the water, which are trapped under the cover, can damage the pillows very quickly. For the longest pillow life, maintain your water alkalinity at 80-120ppm and pH between 7.2-7.6.
Let Chemicals Off-Gas Before Closing the Cover
Make sure to leave the cover off for a little while after adding chemicals. Some chemicals, especially oxidizing spa shock, can damage the underside of your cover and pillows if closed up immediately after adding. As a best practice, we always recommend adding chemicals as required and then leaving the pump(s) running and cover off for at least 10-15 minutes to allow any off-gassing from the chemicals to exit the spa and avoid them being trapped in the space between the water and the cover.
Protect Pillows from UV Damage
Close your hot tub cover when not in use, especially during the day. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can prematurely damage your hot tub pillows, causing discoloration and sometimes even making them shrink.