There's nothing like sitting in a hot tub on a cool evening. And in order to relax in your hot tub year-round, you need to do regular fall hot tub maintenance. After a summer's worth of enjoyment, fall is a great time to do some of the things you didn't tackle during hot weather.

Read on for 5 steps to make sure your hot tub works perfectly all year.

FALL HOT TUB MAINTENANCE

1. CLEAN THE COVER

Mildew, bacteria, and mold love your hot tub cover. It makes them feel comfortable. That's why you need to clean it regularly. For quick, easy cleaning, use 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

You can use that solution to wipe down the cover. The bleach will kill off any mold growth and make the cover smell clean as new. Do make sure to check the manufacturer’s advice before cleaning. If you use a cleaner that voids your warranty, you may regret it.

2. DRAIN THE WATER

This may be the most important step of fall hot tub maintenance. If your hot tub will be sitting unused during fall and winter, you should drain the water. If you don't, you risk mold and bacteria growth and you'll waste energy keeping the pump and filter running.

Even if you use your hot tub all year, it's best to drain, clean, and refill it every few months or so. Before you drain it, switch the power off. Once it's drained, you can clean the rest of the hot tub.

3. CLEAN THE INSIDE

Now that you've drained the hot tub, scrub the inside of the tub with a soft sponge before refilling. To avoid scratching the gelcoat, use a non-abrasive cleaner. Make sure to get all the surfaces, including seat curves and indentations.

After scrubbing, rinse the hot tub to flush out all the residue and suds, and refill. Add the appropriate chemicals and you're ready to turn on the power. Again, be careful of the warranty – check your owner's manual.

4. TEST THE WATER

There's nothing more off-putting than a hot tub with too much chemical in the water. And there's nothing more germ-infested than an unsanitary hot tub. Test your water weekly – it's a must!

Thankfully, it's easy to test your water pH. You can use test strips to make sure the chemicals are at the right levels. Make small adjustments if need be. You'll need less during fall hot tub maintenance than you would during periods of heavy use.

And if you need help, just come on in to The Great Backyard with a water sample and we'll give you some tips.

5. CLEAN THE FILTERS

Once a week, every week, like clockwork. Clean filters, clean hot tub. You can clean them by taking them out and rinsing them carefully. And every month, you'll probably want to soak them in a cleaning solution for long-term effectiveness.

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Keep track of these fall hot tub maintenance tips for a clean, safe, and enjoyable hot tub – year-round. The better you maintain it, the longer it'll last.

And, as always, come on in to The Great Backyard for expert advice on how to clean and maintain your hot tub.