How to Use Baking Soda in Hot Tub for a Better Soak

If you own a hot tub, you know how important it is to keep the water clean and balanced. But did you know you can use baking soda in hot tub to improve water quality and soaking experience?

So, you’ve invested in the perfect hot tub for your relaxation haven, and now you’re wondering about a magical ingredient that can enhance your soaking experience. Look no further—baking soda is the unsung hero your hot tub needs. 

In this guide, we’ll delve into the secrets of incorporating this household staple into your hot tub routine, ensuring a spa-like experience every time you take a dip.

The Power of Baking Soda

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile compound that works wonders for your hot tub. Ahmaddsk, from Hot Tub Patio, swears by its effectiveness in maintaining water balance and promoting a cleaner, more comfortable soak.

Balancing Act: Using Baking Soda for pH Levels

Maintaining the optimal pH level in your hot tub is crucial for both your health and the longevity of your tub. Baking soda acts as a natural pH buffer, helping to keep the water within the ideal range. Add a moderate amount and let the magic unfold as it neutralizes acidity, preventing skin irritation and corrosion of your tub components.

Ahmaddsk’s Tip: Measure the pH level regularly and adjust accordingly, aiming for a pH range of 7.4 to 7.6.

Crystal Clear Waters: Baking Soda as a Water Clarifier

Have you ever wished for crystal-clear water that sparkles invitingly? Baking soda can turn this dream into a reality. Its fine particles help trap impurities, leaving your hot tub water clear and inviting. Bid farewell to murky water and embrace the allure of pristine clarity.

Ahmaddsk’s Tip: Add baking soda in small increments until you achieve clarity. A little goes a long way!

Soft on Skin: Baking Soda for a Gentler Soak

Ahmaddsk understands the importance of a hot tub experience that pampers your skin. Baking soda, with its natural alkalinity, can make the water softer, reducing the harshness that some water chemicals may bring. This means a gentler soak, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Ahmaddsk’s Tip: If you have sensitive skin, add baking soda regularly to enjoy a soothing and gentle hot tub experience.

What Does Baking Soda Do in a Hot Tub?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a common household product with many uses. One of them is to raise the pH and alkalinity of water. pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is, while alkalinity is a measure of how well the water can resist changes in pH. Both pH and alkalinity affect the water chemistry and the performance of your hot tub.

Ideally, the pH in hot tub water should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and the alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm). If the pH is too low, the water becomes acidic and can corrode the metal parts of your hot tub, irritate your skin and eyes, and reduce the sanitizer’s effectiveness. If the pH is too high, the water becomes basic and can cause scaling, cloudy water, and clogged filters.

Baking soda can help you adjust the pH and alkalinity in hot tub water if they are too low. Adding baking soda to the water can increase both the pH and the alkalinity, making the water more neutral and stable. This can prevent corrosion, improve clarity, and enhance the sanitizing power of the water.

How Much Baking Soda to Use in a Hot Tub?

The amount of baking soda you need to use in your hot tub depends on the size of your hot tub, the current pH and alkalinity levels, and the desired levels. You can use a water test kit or test strips to measure the pH and alkalinity of your water before and after adding baking soda.

Generally, you can use one tablespoon of baking soda per 100 gallons of water to raise the pH by 0.1 and the alkalinity by 10 ppm. For example, if your hot tub holds 400 gallons of water and you want to raise the pH from 7.0 to 7.4 and the alkalinity from 60 to 100 ppm, you will need to add 16 tablespoons of baking soda (4 tablespoons per 100 gallons x 4).

However, you should not add all the baking soda at once. Instead, you should add it gradually, in small increments, and wait for the water to circulate and mix well before testing again. This will help you avoid overshooting the target levels and creating new problems.

Steps to follow when using baking soda in your hot tub:

1. Turn off the jets and measure the pH and alkalinity of your water with a test kit or test strips.
2. Calculate how much baking soda you need to add based on the size of your hot tub and the current and desired pH and alkalinity levels.
3. Mix the baking soda in a bucket and pour it into the hot tub. Start with a small amount, such as one or two tablespoons per 100 gallons of water.
4. Turn on the jets and let the water circulate for about 15 minutes.
5. Measure the pH and alkalinity again and see if they are within the ideal range. If not, repeat steps 3 to 5 until you reach the desired levels.
6. Enjoy your hot tub!

How to Use Baking Soda in Hot Tub

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

• Baking soda
• pH test strips
• Measuring cup
• Stirring tool

Step 2: Test Your Water

Use the pH test strips to check your hot tub’s current pH level. Ideally, it should fall between 7.2 and 7.8 for optimal comfort and sanitation.

Step 3: Measure and Add Baking Soda

Add 1 cup of baking soda for every 100 gallons of water with your measuring cup. Sprinkle it evenly across the surface of the water for even distribution.

Step 4: Stir Thoroughly

Use a stirring tool to ensure the baking soda dissolves completely. This step is crucial to prevent any residue that might settle at the bottom of your hot tub.

Step 5: Retest and Repeat if Necessary

Wait for about 30 minutes, then retest the pH. If needed, repeat the process until you achieve the desired pH level.

What Are the Benefits of Using Baking Soda in a Hot Tub?

Using baking soda in your hot tub can have several benefits, such as:

• Preventing corrosion and damage to your hot tub components
• Improving the clarity and appearance of your water
• Enhancing the sanitizing power of your water
• Reducing the need for other chemicals and additives
• Making your water softer and more comfortable for your skin and eyes
• Saving you money and time on maintenance and repairs

What Are the Drawbacks

While baking soda can be a useful and inexpensive way to adjust the pH and alkalinity of your hot tub water, it also has some drawbacks, such as:

• Increasing both the pH and the alkalinity at the same time may not be ideal if you only need to adjust one of them
• It has a limited effect on the pH, as it can only raise it up to 8.4, which is still too high for a hot tub
• Requiring frequent testing and monitoring to avoid over- or under-dosing
• Being less effective and efficient than other products designed specifically for hot tubs, such as pH increaser or alkalinity increaser

What Are the Alternatives

If you prefer not to use baking soda in your hot tub or to lower the pH or alkalinity instead of raising them, you can use other products specially formulated for hot tubs. These products are available at most pool and spa stores and online and usually come with clear instructions.

Alternatives to using baking soda in a hot tub are:

• pH increaser: This product can raise the pH of your water without affecting the alkalinity. It is usually made of sodium carbonate or soda ash, which can raise the pH to 9.6, which is higher than baking soda. However, you should not use too much of it, as it can cause scaling and cloudy water.
• Alkalinity increaser: This product can raise the alkalinity of your water without affecting the pH. It is usually made of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda but has higher concentration and purity than the household version. It can raise the alkalinity to 240 ppm, higher than baking soda. However, you should not use too much of it, as it can cause the pH to rise too high and make the water unstable.
• pH decrease: This product can lower the pH of your water without affecting the alkalinity. It is usually made of sodium bisulfate or dry acid, which can lower the pH to 6.0, which is lower than baking soda. However, you should not use too much of it, as it can cause corrosion and irritation.
• Alkalinity decreaser: This product can lower the alkalinity of your water without affecting the pH. It is usually made of muriatic acid or liquid acid, which can lower the alkalinity to 40 ppm, which is lower than baking soda. However, you should not use too much of it, as it can cause corrosion and irritation.

Maintenance Tips

Regular Checks

Monitor your hot tub’s pH and alkalinity levels regularly. This helps in preventing sudden imbalances and ensures a consistently enjoyable soak.

Monthly Deep Clean

Consider giving your hot tub a more thorough cleaning with baking soda once a month. This helps prevent residue build-up and keeps your hot tub in top-notch condition.

For additional information, visit Hot Tub Patio, or if you’re interested in more reading, see our Guides.

Final Thoughts:

Baking soda can be a handy and cheap way to raise the pH and alkalinity of your hot tub water if they are too low. However, you should use it cautiously and in moderation, as it can also have drawbacks and limitations. 

You should always test your water before and after adding following the recommended dosage and instructions. You should also consider using other products specifically designed for hot tubs, as they may be more effective and efficient than baking soda.

We hope this post has helped you understand how to use baking soda in hot tub for a better soak. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy soaking!