Hot tubs are one of the best ways we could enjoy a day relaxing in the water. For some, it’s a lovely activity to spend some quality time with one’s self or with others. Whatever the reasons for enjoying this, we all have one thing in common when it comes to our hot tubs – we hate it when it becomes dirty and unusable, and one of the causes for this is when your tub’s alkalinity becomes higher.
So, how to lower alkalinity in hot tub then? This is a common question that is easy to answer. Find out more below.
What Cause the Rise of Alkalinity in Your Hot Tub?
Before we discuss the steps on how to lower the alkalinity of your hot tub, you should know what causes this so that you can avoid this from happening as much as possible. Still, it’s inevitable, but it’s also good to know the most common reasons why this occurs:
- Chemicals and Gunk in the Water
Chemicals from sunblocks, perfumes, lotions, hair gels, and the like and gunk from sweat and natural waste can change the alkalinity of your water.
- Water Source
The water source can also be a factor. Some places have water sources with higher alkalinity, so you can ask your local district about this.
- Maintenance Accidents
A basic human error like accidentally adding more baking soda or alkalinity increaser can drastically change the levels of your tub’s alkalinity.
How to Lower Alkalinity in Your Hot Tub?
Now that you know the reasons, here are the steps on how to lower alkalinity in hot tub naturally:
Step 1: Test the Water in Your Hot Tub
Though cleaning your hot tub can decrease the alkalinity of its water, you should still have to test it to actually see the alkalinity level accurately. You can do this by simply using a test strip, but a liquid test kit is much more recommended. Just follow the instructions on the kit or strip.
Step 2: Add a pH Decreaser
This is a natural method to lower the alkalinity of your tub’s water. Sodium bisulfate is one of the most common and safest choices for this. You just simply sprinkle some into the water. It’s ideal to add when the water is running so that it helps mix the pH decrease better. You can either go to local stores to buy this or opt to purchase online. As per the amount of sodium bisulfate, you can check the instructions and follow them accordingly, but most of the time, 85 grams or 3 ounces are needed for 1,000 gallons of water.
Step 3: Check the Alkalinity Level Again
Let the mixture sit for an entire day. Just leave it without disturbing the water. You can put on a cover on the tub if it’s outside to avoid dirt from coming into the water. Once done, use the same liquid test kit or strip to see if the alkalinity is reduced.
You can incorporate this method every time you do your maintenance. With these simple steps, you can immediately use your hot tub again.


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