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Foamy water is one of the most common — and frustrating — issues hot tub owners deal with. The good news? It’s rarely serious and almost always fixable. Here, we’ll walk you through what causes foam in hot tubs, how to get rid of it and most importantly, how to keep it from coming back.
What causes foamy hot tub water?
Foam in your hot tub is essentially caused by a buildup of surfactants — substances that reduce the surface tension of water, allowing bubbles to form more easily. Here are the most common culprits:
Soap residue: This is the number one cause of foamy hot tub water. When bathers don’t completely rinse off body soap, shampoo or conditioner, those leftover suds get into your spa water. The same goes for bathing suits — even after the rinse cycle, laundry detergent can linger in the fabric and get released into the water when you soak. Body care products: Hair spray, gel, deodorant, makeup, lotion, sunscreen, bug spray — if it goes on your body, it can end up in your spa. These products all contain ingredients that contribute to foaming. Improper water balance: Low pH and low calcium hardness levels in your water can also encourage foam. Water that’s too soft lacks the minerals needed to prevent bubbles from forming and sticking around. Spa cleaning products: Not all spa cleaning supplies are created equal. Many household cleaning products, including some cleaners used in spa care and maintenance, have foaming
