One of the key aspects of spa maintenance is looking after your filters – whether you have one or four, filters are an essential component of your spa’s build for keeping water clean and catching debris in its tracks. There can be some confusion surrounding whether you just need to clean your filter or replace it outright, so we’ll explore the timeframes you should be looking at for either one as well as the best practice processes to keep your spa functioning at maximum efficiency for both top and front load spa filters.
How often to clean your spa filters
There are different degrees of cleaning involved with filters, but at the very least you should be doing a regular clean once a week to twice a week. This would involve simply rinsing them under running water, and you can base the frequency of this rinse based on how much your spa is being used. Once every two weeks you should look at using a filter cleaner between the pleats of the filter and clear out any build-up.
Then, we move on to monthly cleaning. Every month you should be using a filter-specific chemical spray to clean your filter alongside its usual weekly rinse. Lastly, there is a seasonal clean you should do for your filter every three months to ensure it remains in tip-top shape and for you to get the most out of its lifespan. This will involve soaking the filter in a chemical solution, which should be a non-foaming cleaner and water solution. This is also when you should change your hot tub water.
These longer cleaning processes mean that your spa will spend some time without a filter in it, so we recommend having a second filter on hand to swap it out with in the meantime. If you like, you can simply swap out filters this way every month or every season as you clean them, so you can get even more longevity out of both filters.
Outside of these regiments, you can also tell when your filter is due for a clean just by looking at it and paying attention to the increasing frequency of cleans. If your water is getting murkier faster in between filter cleans, it might be time to chuck them out and buy new ones.
How to clean spa filters
When it comes to how to clean your filters, it understandably changes depending on the type of clean you’re undertaking (weekly rinse or seasonal deep clean), but the most important thing is having a hose or a tap – some source of running water – under which to rinse your filters (never use high pressure-washers, though). Simply spray filter pleats from top to bottom to dislodge and wash away build-up. For monthly or seasonal cleans where more intensive methods are required, use an approved filter cleaning solution from your local pool or spa dealer and soak your filter cartridges in them overnight. If this isn’t possible, at least an hour will be necessary. Remember to swap out the filters you’re cleaning with another set so that your spa isn’t left without operating filters. When it comes time to refit the filters you’ve cleaned, ensure they are completely dry and avoid letting any cleaning solutions come in contact with your bare skin (we recommend using gloves). Another important note to remember is that household cleaning solutions will be unsuitable for cleaning filters, as they can badly damage the cartridge.
How often to change spa filters
Like any spa component, your filters will be subject to wear and age over time, so they will need to be replaced eventually. The quality of your filters will affect how soon you will need to replace them – excellent and higher grade filters can last up to five years, while cheaper models may only have a two year lifespan. Some manufacturers even recommend replacing them every year to be on the safe side, which may be more suitable for spas that have heavy and regular use. Keeping your cartridges in good repair by cleaning them on a frequent and strict schedule can help you elongate its duration. It can be difficult to gauge, so we recommend monitoring your spa water and seeing how well your filters perform. If it’s getting cloudier quicker, your filters are getting old and worn. If you’re finding that the spa filter itself is turning green or brown, it’s definitely time to throw it out.
The more your filter is used and cleaned, the less effective it becomes at performing its duties, meaning you will find the cartridge requires more frequent cleanings as it heads towards the end of its lifespan. Other signs it’s time to replace your filters include finding signs of damages or fissures in the cartridge, restricted water flow and cartridges being quicker to block up.
How to replace spa filters
When it’s time to replace or remove your filter cartridges, start by removing the filter cover face. You can lift this up by pulling the top lip in an upwards motion. Remove the tray underneath, and you should be able to see the top of your filters. You will have a different amount of filters depending on your spa – for example, swim spas will have four filters, and they will normally be stacked on top of each other in two piles. To remove your filters, loosen them by turning the handles on top in an anti-clockwise direction and pull them out. If it’s been a while, you may need to use some extra muscle strength to get them rotating!
Can you reuse hot tub filters?
If you’ve used yours over the span of 24 months, it’s likely reached its used-by date. One recommended method of extending the lifespan of your filters is to have two sets and interchange them every time you clean them – perhaps not on a weekly basis, but a monthly basis. This means you are using each set half as much as you normally would, extending both their lifespans to 48 months.
So much of a spa’s longevity is not only to do with maintenance, but with high quality builds as well – luckily, Spa Parts Online stocks only the most well-made spa components from reputable, industry-acclaimed manufacturers. Browse our full range to keep your spa in tip-top shape.
