How do you clean a hot tub cover?
The short answer
Every one to three months
With a cleaner made for vinyl, then dried and protected. More often under trees or in strong sun.
The cover takes sun, rain and snow on top and warm, treated air underneath. Left alone, the vinyl dries and cracks and the underside grows mildew. A few minutes every so often keeps it sealing and light enough to lift.
The steps
- Brush or rinse off loose dirt and leaves. Use a soft brush or a hose, not a pressure washer.
- Wash the top with a cleaner made for vinyl. Work it in with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Rinse it well and dry it with a towel. Leaving it to dry in the sun leaves marks.
- Put on a vinyl protectant. It slows sun damage. How often depends on the product and how much sun the cover gets.
- Wipe the underside and let it air. Prop the cover open for a while now and then so the inside can dry out.
What to keep off it
- Bleach and harsh household cleaners. They break down vinyl.
- Products with alcohol, oil or silicone, and laundry or dish detergent.
- Weight. Do not sit or stand on it, and clear heavy snow with a soft broom, not a shovel.
When a cover is done
A cover that has become heavy has taken on water and no longer insulates. One that sags in the middle or has a torn skin will not seal. Either is time for a new one.
This is general guidance. Your hot tub's owner's manual comes first, and so do the instructions on your products.
Sources: MySpaCover: Hot tub cover care.