The ultimate guide to hot tub covers

Whether you’re a regular hot tub bather, or simply like to turn the bubbles on when you have guests over, any experienced hot tub owner will tell you that proper hot tub maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your at-home spa system.

However, one area of hot tub care that is often overlooked and forgotten about is the proper use of your hot tub’s cover. A must-have hot tub essential, the right hot tub cover can form the cornerstone of your hot tub care routine.

Take a look at our guide below to learn just why your hot tub cover is so important, as well as tips on how to clean your hot tub cover, how to stop your hot tub cover sagging, and how to protect your hot tub cover in winter!

 

Why is a hot tub cover so important

As the name suggests, the primary purpose of a hot tub cover is to protect your hot tub’s bowl and water from outside contamination, be that in the form of leaves, dirt, local wildlife, or rain – in other words, anything that could impact your hot tub’s water chemistry!

However, a hot tub cover offers many other uses besides basic protection against the elements, including all of the following:

 

1. Improved hot tub insulation

One of the primary jobs of a hot tub cover is to keep all of your water’s precious heat locked in between uses. A well-insulated cover is more than capable of trapping warmth inside your tub, thus making it vital if you want to reduce the time it takes to reheat your hot tub between soaks.

Not only that, but this improved insulation also means your hot tub will have a lower energy consumption rate in general, helping you to save money on your utility bills and reducing your hot tub’s overall running costs in the long run.

 

2. Proper external protection

While you could house your hot tub under a well-constructed cover, at the end of the day, such measures simply can’t stand up to the same protection a dedicated hot tub cover can provide.

And let’s face it, nobody likes to spend their time fishing out leaves, twigs, and other gunk from their hot tub. A good cover acts as a protective shield, keeping your spa clean and free from unwanted debris, which in turn means less time scrubbing and more time soaking!

Alongside this, full tub protection like that provided by a hot tub cover prevents sunlight from hitting your water, which will reduce the likelihood of algae and bacteria growing in your water.

 

3. Maximum hot tub longevity

It goes without saying that buying a hot tub is a big investment, so it only makes sense that you’ll want to take proper care of it to extend its life span and functionality as much as possible – and a hot tub cover is there to play a key role in facilitating this.

A high-quality cover can significantly extend the life of your hot tub by shielding it from the sun’s harsh UV rays and other environmental factors. This helps prevent weathering, fading, and damage over time, plus, it helps maintain your water levels by reducing evaporation, which means less frequent refilling and reduced strain on your plumbing.

In short, a good cover helps keep your spa looking good and functioning like new for years to come!

 

What to look for in a hot tub cover

So, now you know why hot tub covers are so useful, what exactly should be looking for when buying your first protective hot tub shield? Take a look below on what to look for when purchasing a hot tub cover:

• Insulation – an essential factor for any hot tub cover, you’ll want to keep an eye out for covers made from high-density and heat-sealed foam to maximise the level of heat trapped.
• Sealing – when buying any hot tub cover, it’s essential that you find one with an airtight, vacuum seal in order to prevent heat and evaporating water from escaping out any gaps.
• Material – because your hot tub cover will be constantly exposed to the elements, finding one made from a hard-wearing and durable material is a must, which is why we recommend picking a cover made from vinyl, which is hard and resistant to waterlogging and mould growth.
• Tapering – one of the biggest problems faced by any hot tub owner is water and snow building up on their hot tub covers, which is exactly why you want to find a cover that tapers at the edges so that water can easily run off.
• Locks – whether to prevent your cover from blowing off in the wind, or to stop curious children trying to move your cover for a peak inside, investing in a hot tub cover with locks is always a wise idea.
• Opening – finally, in order to make removing your hot tub cover that much easier, it never hurts to pick a cover with sturdy handles or a lifter that can be used to seamlessly pull your cover back when you want to use your tub.

 

How to measure a hot tub cover

Naturally, as part of the hot tub buying process, you’re going to need to know the exact measurements of your tub in order to buy a hot tub cover that fits snuggly and firmly the whole way round your bowl.

To carry out these measurements, simply measure the width and length of your hot tub’s bowl, adding a centimetre or two onto these measurements to give you a bit of flexibility when choosing a cover.

 

How to clean your hot tub cover

As good as a hot tub cover is for protecting the inside of your hot tub and its water, it’s only going to be able to do this as long as you actively take proper care of your hot tub’s exterior.

Therefore, it’s important to know how to clean your hot tub cover and incorporate doing so into your regular hot tub maintenance routine:

• Clear debris – to start with, it’s always worth clearing any built-up debris or snow from your cover whenever you get the chance, that way it won’t sag overtime from the weight being placed upon it.
• Wipe it down – when cleaning your hot tub cover directly, it’s best to use warm, soapy water to wipe down both your cover’s exterior and interior surfaces to eliminate bacteria and mould growths.
• Seal it regularly – although a good cover will naturally be sealed against water absorption, it’s always a good idea to recoat it with a protective UV spray from time to time to prevent your cover’s vinyl from fading and cracking.

 

How long do hot tub covers last?

Generally speaking, a good hot tub cover will last you at least 3-5 years, provided you take good care of it. However, you may need to replace your hot tub cover sooner if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Surface cracks
• Fabric tearing or rips
• Seal breaks

Any one of these issues can result in reduced heat-trapping and may allow for water to seep into the cover itself, leading to waterlogging and mould growths within your cover's interior.

 

Choose a brand-new hot tub cover from our range

And there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about the importance of hot tub covers, and what to bear in mind when buying one to protect your hot tub. Of course, if you want to pick up a new hot tub cover as soon as possible, then why not browse The Wellness Co. range today?

With hot tub covers designed to fit hot tubs of all sizes, we have protective shields for every model and tub design in our collection. Get in touch with us directly to learn more about what our covers can offer you, and don’t forget to visit our inspiration blog as well for more insightful articles like this one.

 

Hot tub cover FAQs

How to stop your hot tub cover sagging?

The best way to stop your hot tub cover from sagging is to buy a tapered cover with sloping edges. This will prevent water and loose debris from building up on your cover over time, extending its lifespan.

 

How to protect your hot tub cover in winter

The best way to protect your hot cover in winter is to clear off any snow that settles on it as soon as you get the chance and to wipe it down regularly to keep it clean and ice-free, which could damage your hot tub cover’s exterior.

 

How long should you leave a hot tub cover off before adding chlorine

Generally speaking, experts advise that you leave your hot tub cover off for a minimum of 15 minutes after adding chlorine before sealing your tub back up. This should allow enough time for any chlorine vapours to evaporate. However, if you want to be safe, then it’s recommended you leave your hot tub off for up to an hour if possible.