There is something about being in a bubble bath. Maybe it brings back pleasant memories from childhood or provides comfort as you unwind in the warm soothing water.
However, when suds start to appear in your spa or hot tub, it can be an indication that there is something not quite right. And unless you have been the victim of a prank, there may be some things that you need to address.
What causes spa foam?
Foam in spas and hot tubs occurs when total dissolved solids or TDS levels in the water build-up and come to the water’s surface via the air blower or jets. The dissolved solids stick to the air bubbles and form as foam.
So the question is, what are TDS? And where do they come from? Let us delve in and take a look at some of the main offenders.
Clothes detergent
Even though your bathing gear gets a thorough rinse during a washing cycle, the residue remains in the material after it has dried. These detergents reactivate in the water, build up, and become like bubble bath soap in your spa.
This is hard to avoid. Still, the best solution is to wash your bathing attire separately and run extra rinse cycles before drying.
Creams, lotions and makeup
What goes on your body must come off, and in this case, what comes off your body goes into your spa or hot tub.
There is a myriad of skin and healthcare products we put on our skin. Some of these spa contaminants include:
- Soap residue
- Skin lotions
- Sun creams
- Hair products
- Deodorants
- Body wash
- Foundations and makeups
Every product that remains on your skin, ends up in your spa to become a TDS. But can you do anything about it?
The only real way to avoid this is to have a thorough shower before you enter your spa or hot tub. Even then, Your body creates natural oils and chemicals that can turn into foam on the surface of the water.
Your body can leave naturally occurring contaminants like:
- Perspiration
- Dead skin cells
- Oils
- Dirt
So although you can dramatically reduce the number of personal pollutants you bring into your spa, it is virtually impossible to avoid them altogether.
Poor quality chemicals
It’s always good to find a bargain on expensive sanitation chemicals for your spa or hot tub. Still, you need to consider if the cheap chemicals you got for a steal is costing you more than you bargained for in the long run.
Industry-leading brands are popular for a reason, and cheaper chemicals are likely to also be inferior quality. This can put a strain on your spa system, and be less effective at controlling total dissolved solids.
Worse than this, cheaper, low-quality chemicals may even deposit more contaminants into the water, adding to the suds problem. This can also cause other imbalances in your water chemistry, meaning further investment needs to be made in trying to get your water back to a balanced state.
Good quality chemicals are not so much a luxury as they are an investment. Quality chemicals aid in the effective maintenance of your expensive spa or hot tub, while also saving time wasted trying to get the balance right.
How to get rid of spa foam
If you have addressed all the issues discussed and are still having a problem with spa foam, there are some other things that are worth a try.
Test your water
The first thing to check in any spa, hot tub or pool if you notice something is not right is the pH level of your water. pH represents how acidic or alkaline your water is.
Spa water is best kept around the same pH level as your body, which is around 7.2-7.8. Anything either side of this could be adding to your foaming problem, especially if the water is below a pH of 7.2, which is more acidic.
Another thing worth mentioning is low calcium hardness. LCH can also contribute to foam in your spa, as well as creating other issues like corrosion and etching on your finishes
The quick fix
If you are having a foaming issue, and you have guests coming over to indulge in your spa, some products can provide a temporary solution.
Anti-foam or foam removers can get rid of suds almost instantly and can last for up to 24-hours. But the fact is that this does not remove the underlying causes of your foaming problem and it will continue to be an issue until the underlying problems are addressed.
Last resorts
If you have addressed all the factors discussed and still find a problem with your water foaming, it may be time to perform a complete drain and refill of your spa or hot tub.
We can offer advice or help with this process. Ezy Spa can provide a full consultation and offer a range of products that could reduce or resolve your foaming issue.