What causes hot tub foam and how to get rid of it?

“What causes Hot Tub foam and how to get rid of it?

Do you ever open your hot tub/ spa and find that the water is all foamy?  This is a common hot tub/ spa issue and many people wonder why this happens and how do I get rid of it?

The are many reasons that your hot tub water could become foamy, I have listed some below and have suggested what to use to get rid of hot tub water foam.

High Concentrations of oils and organic contaminants being agitated by the jets can cause foamy water.

Most commonly are Beauty Products, Low Calcium hardness, High or low pH, Cheap Chemicals or Spilling drinks in your hot tub.

Beauty Products: Suntan lotions, hair products, make up, skin oils, sweat, soap residue from bathing suits and fabric softener are a few things that cause foamy hot tub water.

Using a product like a Zorbie hot tub bobble works great for absorbing and removing contaminants right off the surface of the water, stopping bacteria, laden dead skin and body oils from going round and round within your circulatory system.  The majority of the oils will collect on your Zorbie rather than congeal to your filter.

You can also use a Spa Shock after each use.

Low Calcium Hardness:  If your spa has low calcium levels this can decrease the surface tension in the water and allow for excessive sudsing or foaming. 

To prevent this problem check and maintain your calcium levels once a week, if it is low use a Calcium Hardness Increaser.

High or Low pH:  If you water is imbalanced that can cause all sorts of water chemistry issues, from green water, to stinky water, to foamy hot tub water.

To prevent foam due to high pH use a pH decreaser or pH increaser to raise low pH.  Test your water weekly to maintain a healthy hot tub.  You can also use a product called Defoamer, it is an effective liquid that eliminates foam in hot tubs/ spas in seconds, just pour a capful in the water and watch it disappear.

Cheap Chemicals & Excessive Chemical use:  Chemicals bought at a discount type store often have fillers in them.  These fillers often dilute the chemicals effectiveness and often cause foaming.  

Try and buy your hot tub or spa chemicals from a trusted hot tub store, because they carry high quality chemicals.  Also read the instructions on the bottle and follow them as closely as you can.

Spilling Drinks in your hot tub:  Be careful not to spill anything you are drinking in your hot tub or spa as some drinks can cause foaming.

If you are still having issues with foam and your spa water is older than 3 months, the best thing to do is drain your hot tub or spa, clean it, clean your filter, and refill your hot tub or spa. 

If you have any questions please comment below.