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If your hot tub is well-maintained, covered tightly, and the water is balanced and sanitized correctly, it can remain unused for up to two weeks without significant issues. Beyond this period, the water quality may start to deteriorate, potentially leading to the growth of algae and bacteria. However, it's crucial to note that this timeline can change due to factors like water temperature, sanitation levels, and the quality of your hot tub cover. Regular maintenance and water testing are essential to ensure the water remains safe and clean during periods of inactivity.

Algae-related green hot tub water is generally safe to use, as algae aren't usually harmful to your health. However, if the conditions in the hot tub are hospitable to algae growth, they may also be hospitable to the growth of other types of microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacteria that can cause hot tub rash, or Legionella bacteria, which can cause respiratory illness.

The best thing with which to clean a hot tub is whatever the manufacturer recommends; in most cases, this is a gentle surface cleaner and a soft cloth. Recommended hot tub cleaners can include specially formulated cleaning agents, mild dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, or diluted bleach. For your hot tub exterior, choose wood or vinyl cleaner (depending on the casing material).

You should never use household cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as undiluted bleach or acids, or abrasive cleansers or cloths, as these can scratch or etch your hot tub’s coating or shell and cause permanent damage.

Though a hot tub has many benefits, there are a few cons. Mainly, hot tubs require a lot of maintenance. You’ll need to deep clean yours quarterly, test the pH at least once or twice a week, and add sanitizing chemicals once a week. They also have relatively high ongoing costs since you’ll need to pay for electricity and repairs.