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A hot tub cover's lifespan is typically between three and seven years, with an average of five to seven years for a well-maintained one. The quality of the cover is a major factor; lower-quality polyester or vinyl soft covers can tear easily with regular use.

To extend the life of your cover, proper maintenance is key. This includes:

• Keeping the cover clean, dry, and out of the sun. Use a soft cloth and mild dish soap for cleaning.

• Applying a vinyl protectant spray.

• Cleaning the underside with a chlorine spray.

• Using a cover lift to prevent damage from rough handling.

• Protecting it from harsh weather.

• Keeping children and pets off the cover.

Investing in a high-quality cover and checking for a warranty at the time of purchase can also contribute to its longevity.

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.

It’s easy to keep your hot tub clean and safe for all to enjoy by following a few simple tips:

• Make sure anyone who uses the hot tub rinses themselves and their swimsuits off, perhaps in an outdoor shower near the hot tub. 

• Don’t add anything to your hot tub’s water. Bath oils and bubble bath liquids might seem like a fun addition to your hot tub experience, but these substances will turn the water in your tub foamy and its surfaces hard to clean. 

• Restrict eating in the tub to light snacks that you can easily clean out if there’s any spillage. Crumbs from crackers and chips can be difficult to pick up. 

• Make it a no-pet zone. Pet fur and dander can pose a cleaning issue, but it’s also not a great idea for your pet’s health and safety. 

Biofilm growth can cause a hot tub to feel slimy. Hot tub biofilm is a slimy substance that’s typically due to natural contaminants like makeup, soaps, skin oils, deodorants, or lotions. A hot tub can also have a slimy interior or slimy water if the tub’s filters are old or damaged, or if the hot tub isn’t properly cleaned. You should drain your hot tub, wipe away any slimy residue, then refill the water and use a spa purge product that prevents the buildup of biofilm.