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How to Clean Jets in Bathtub
How to Clean Jets in Bathtub

How to Clean Jets in Bathtub

March 29, 2023

After a tiring day, nothing is more soothing than a relaxing soak in a whirlpool tub. However, cleaning the jets in your bathtub is an essential step to ensure that your bathing experience remains serene and enjoyable. After all, nobody wants to witness slimy black particles and grime swirling around in the water when the jets are turned on. In this article, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions and 8 tips on Cleaning Bathtub Jets.

What to Prepare

To begin, ensure that you have all the necessary supplies with you. While you can opt for a store-bought cleaner, it's recommended by Empava to use the following tools (which are likely already available at your disposal) to achieve optimal results.

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Hot water
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Toothbrush or bottle brush
  • Sponge

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Wipe Away Visible Debris

To clean your jetted tub, take a damp sponge or microfiber cloth and use it to wipe the rim and interior, removing any visible debris or hair present.

Step 2: Spread baking soda and gently scrub the tub.

Coat the tub with a layer of baking soda, paying extra attention to the higher ridges. Then, gently scrub the tub's interior using a microfiber towel.

Step 3: Fill the Tub with Hot Water and Vinegar

Without rinsing the baking soda away, fill the tub with enough hot water so that it covers all of the jets by about two inches. Add 3-4 cups of vinegar

Step 4: Soak and Drain

Allow your tub jets to run for a maximum of five minutes to spread the combination of water, baking soda, and vinegar throughout the tub before draining. Use a toothbrush to clean the crevices and grooves where grime is tough to remove.

Step 5: Fill and Run Jets Again

Refill the tub with clean water and re-run your jets for another few minutes to help remove the mixture away from the jets.

Step 6: Clean the Air-intake Cover

Remove the cover and scrub the area with baking soda and water mixture. Wipe off any leftovers with a damp sponge, rinse the cover carefully, and put it back.

Step 7: Clean the Interior

Apply dry baking soda all over the interior to help scrub away grime and soap scum without damaging the finish. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to clean all of the interior surfaces.

Step 8: Drain and Wipe Dry

Drain the water and use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess water. Rinse away the baking soda with a bucket of water and dry the tub's interior with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent water-spotting.

8 Extra Tips on Cleaning Bathtub Jets

Jetted tubs have many benefits such as improving blood flow, relieving sore muscles and joints, and reducing stress. However, you should remember that the jets can collect soap scum and bacteria. Even if not visible, it’s advised to clean the jets monthly. Here are some extra tips on how to clean bathtub jets:

Avoid Using Oils

To enhance your bath experience, adding baby oil or bubble bath, as well as aromatherapy essential oils, can be enjoyable. Nevertheless, these products may cause extra buildup in the jets. Generally, using oils, salts or bubbles in a water jet tub can damage the water pump. Manufacturers even advise against it, so it’s vital to check your manual to see what your tub allows. If you have an air jet tub, you may be able to use bubbles, but the agitation of the water in an air tub produces more bubbles and could make a bathroom mess. Some tubs can handle epsom salts, which can provide a relaxing alternative to oils and bubble baths.

It's important to keep in mind that using bath products, even if permitted by the manufacturer, may require extra cleaning. If you still prefer to use these products, be ready to do a thorough cleaning immediately after soaking. Cleaning up while you're using them can assist in removing the gunk from your jets more easily.

Run Fresh Water After Each Use

Simplify the cleaning process by rinsing out the system after each use. By taking a few easy steps, you can reduce the appearance of flakes and debris in your next bath.

Drain the tub of all of the water you soaked in.

After draining the water, refill the tub with cold, clean water, ensuring that the water level is two to three inches above the jets. Then, run the jets for around 5 to 10 minutes, which should be done every time you use the tub. Making it a habit can assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the jets.

Do a Light Clean

How often should you clean your tub? To prevent clogging and maintain the cleanliness of your jetted tub, the jets should be cleaned at least once a month if used regularly. On the other hand, it's recommended to clean the actual tub once a week to get rid of bacteria, soap scum, and body soil, which can contribute to the jets getting clogged. However, if tub is used less frequently, cleaning it once a month may suffice.

For a light cleaning of your jetted tub:

  1. Fill the tub with hot water ensuring the water line is above the jets by two to three inches.
  2. Add two teaspoons of a low-foaming disinfectant, dishwashing liquid or powder. To allow the cleaner to work into the jets, run the jets for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Drain the cleaning solution and refill the tub with cool, fresh water. Once again, make sure the water line is at least three inches above the jets.
  4. To flush the cleaner out of the tub's tubing and jets, run the jets for another 10 minutes. While this simple and low-impact cleaning trick should be used often, it should be noted that it does use a significant amount of water and energy.

Add Bleach for a Deeper Clean

To achieve a deeper clean for your jetted tub, consider substituting your light cleaning three or four times a year, depending on usage. The process is similar to light cleaning, with the addition of two and a half cups of household bleach to two teaspoons of low-foam detergent. Run the jets for 5 to 10 minutes, drain, and rinse the tub thoroughly. Be mindful that bleach may dry out the internal gaskets, so use sparingly or opt for a cleaner designed for your jetted tub. Rinse out the solution by filling the tub with cool water and running the jets again.

Use Greener Alternatives

While bleach is not an eco-friendly cleaning option, white vinegar is a safer choice for the environment and the jet parts. It has similar cleaning effects and can be used as a substitute for bleach. However, before using white vinegar, it is important to refer to the user manual to double-check its suitability.

Use Your Hands

At times, simply running a cleaning solution through the tubes may not suffice. Therefore, here are three manual methods to clean your bathtub jets:

  • To ensure a thorough cleaning of your bathtub jets, use a soft, clean rag to wipe around the jets and remove any excess cleaner.
  • For a deeper clean, use a bottle brush with a soft cloth to clean into the jet mechanism and remove scum buildup.
  • Carefully clean behind the jet cover with dental floss to access any dirt or grime stuck in hard-to-reach spaces that a rag may miss.

Hire a Professional If Necessary

Sometimes, it may be necessary to hire professionals to clean your jetted tub, especially if you have bought a home with one that was not well-maintained, resulting in the buildup of bacteria and soap scum in the tubing system. Professional cleaners can perform a thorough and deep clean, setting the stage for regular light and deep cleaning to maintain your tub's excellent condition.

To clean your bathtub jets effectively, refer to the manufacturer's manual if available, as it may provide valuable information regarding the type of cleaners recommended for your specific model and offer further tips on how to maintain your fixture's top shape.

All in all, keeping jetted tubs clean is essential to avoid the buildup of bacteria and soap scum, which can affect the functionality and hygiene of the fixture. The above 8 steps can guide you to make a significant step on cleaning your jetted tub in amazing condition. The 8 Extra tips include light and deep cleaning, using suitable cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, or low-foaming disinfectants, and manual cleaning methods like wiping and brushing, among others. Also, please refer to your manufacturer's manual for specific instructions and care tips. You can consult Empava support team if you purchase our product.

By performing these cleaning practices, you can keep your jetted tub in a wonderful condition for a revitalizing and soothing soak experience.

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