7 Tips for Using Your Hot Tub in the Summer

The sun is shining, and the temperatures are steamy hot – just like your hot tub! Yes, you can still use your hot tub in the summer.

Here are some tips to make the most of it:

1. Turn the Temperature Down

Usually, hot tub temperatures are set between 100 – 102 F. But you can turn the temperature down and enjoy a little less heat. Your body temperature is about 98.6. If your hot tub water is less than your body temperature, it will help your body cool down, and you’ll still enjoy the relaxing benefits of “not-so-hot” water and hydrotherapy.

2. Beat Allergies

Spring and summer often bring on allergies. If you, your family or friends battle allergies or symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, or sneezing, your hot tub can help. A randomized, controlled trial published its findings in the Journal of Integrated Medicine on the “Efficacy and safety of herbal steam bath in allergic rhinitis,” January 2018. The study proved that that “symptoms, including sneezing, nasal itching and nasal congestion, were statistically reduced over the course of the treatment.” While the study showed no marked difference between an herbal steam bath or a steam bath without the herbs, both groups experienced significant reduction in symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Your hot tub’s warm steamy water will alleviate symptoms and help your body relax.

3. Morning and Evening

Take advantage of the (usually) cooler weather in the early morning and after the sun goes down. As you know, your hot tub is a great place to relax – either to start your day or wind down.

4. Hydrate and Use Ice

When you use your hot tub, keep a tall refreshing glass of your favorite beverage handy, and a cool towel to put on your face or your shoulders. This will keep you feeling cool while your body gets the big benefits of hot water and hydrotherapy. Put ice in a small cooler and an extra towel, swap towels out when needed.

5. Ask!

Ask the salespeople at the store where you purchased your hot tub if they have tips for your particular hot tub. Some hot tubs come with special “cool” features. Plus, salespeople may have some additional tips for your hot tub. As a caution, be wary of tips or fun ideas you hear or read, not all may be best for your hot tub, and/or your hot tub water – you can find some crazy ideas surfing the internet or even from well-meaning friends. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model.

6. Keep Your Water Balanced

In the summer, people generally sweat more, and wear sunscreen or lotion, all of which mean your hot tub water sanitizer needs to be a hard, consistent worker. If you want Cleaner, Clearer, Softer water that’s Easier to care for, check out FROG products. They’ll keep your water sanitized. Even if you leave for a short vacation, your water will be ready when you are.

Keeping your pH, Total Alkalinity and Total Hardness levels in the ideal range helps your FROG system be most effective. Test your water regularly. If you use FROG products, you will need to test water only with FROG Test Strips or FROG @ease Test Strips, they are the only test strips that show the ideal low level of Free Chlorine or Bromine levels needed for FROG hot tubs. Other test strips may indicate chlorine or bromine levels are too low, which causes confusion – and waste of chlorine or bromine.

7. Don’t Get Sunburned

Yes, getting into a hot tub with sunburned skin is painful! Keep your skin from getting burned by using sunscreen that’s right for your skin.