Cleaning Whirlpool Baths or Bathroom Spas?

[mthomas2]

The description I use is "[manufacturer, if known] jetted bathtub."

[kkenny]

First,

Thanks everybody, just what i was looking for!

Second,

Keith I like the name.

Originally Posted by kswift

"whatchamacallits."

and

Mike, if they can't spell it right, can't we sue them for being stupid?

Originally Posted by wchris1

I like your new name, but I'm sure we'd find a lawyer who couldn't pronounce it or spell it right.mike

Kevin

[David A. Andersen]

There are other products available, but cheap old household bleach (without snuggly soft additives ) works best. The scum you see is a living organism. Oxidizers such as bleach will take care of this.

Bleach does not clean dirt, a detergent is required.
Detergent cleans the oils left behind where this breeding activity begins.

[jmichalski]

Originally Posted by dduffy

Once a month -- or more often for tubs that get a lot of use -- you should also remove any accumulation of bath residue (from body oils, dirt, soaps, shampoos, lotions) from the whirlpool system. First, fill the bath with hot water (up to 140° F) and add 4 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of a low-foaming disinfectant (such as powdered dishwasher detergent). Some manufacturers suggest adding 1/2 cup of household bleach. Turn off the air induction and run the water jets for 10 to 15 minutes. Then drain the bath and refill with cold water only. Run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain again. There are also commercial cleaning products made specifically to do this job.

................

Way helpful, Dale! I am going to "borrow" that one if you don't mind! I'd green box ya, but I can't give you anymore until I pass the love around more first...

[Brian E. Kelly]

Be very carefull when you tell people to mix Chlorine Bleach with any powdered detergent (or anthing for that matter).

I just use the dishwasher soap (Cascade).

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Be very carefull when you tell people to mix Chlorine Bleach with any powdered detergent (or anthing for that matter).

Here is a helpful chart on incompatibilities.

SodiumHypoIncompatibilityChart-English.pdf

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

"The hydro-spa is functional but should be flushed with a cleanser if not used frequently."

Compliments of InspectVue.

[whandley]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I've never seen a "Whirlpool" brand spa. I always thought we called them whirlpool tubs because of their swirling action, and because "Jacuzzi" was a brand name....

I do still always get asked if I ran the Jacuzzi tub, regardless of the brand!

I shall also change my wording to "hydro-spa". They'll never have a clue what it is around here!

Spa tub!

[Donald R. Peterson]

I would be very careful in telling someone on how to "clean" a jetted tub.

I use the term "disinfect", and never tell them how to accomplish it.

The liability is too great. Read on

According to Infection Control Today:


The first infection traced back to a whirlpool bath was noted in literature in 1972.3 Yet, this source of infection continues to be a public health threat today. There have been multiple disease outbreaks reported concerning hot tubs and whirlpool baths in recent years. Bacteria are pushed into the air via whirlpool jets and can be inhaled by both bathers and passersby.

• More than 100 customers at a Watsonville, Calif., beauty salon were reportedly infected with Mycobacterium fortuitum after using contaminated footbaths when receiving a pedicure. The April, 2001 outbreak caused boils and skin ulcers on the feet and legs of those infected.6, 7
• Reportedly, a hot tub on display at a flower show in the Netherlands in March 1999 contained legionella. More than 240 people became infected with the airborne disease and 28 died. A strain of the bacterium was found in both a water sample and in patient tests. Before the show, the hot tub had reportedly never been used.
• Four people reportedly died from Legionnaires' disease after being exposed at a trade fair in Belgium in November 1999. More than 80 people were infected from hot tubs that were being exhibited at the show.
• Investigators in South Wales examined the swimming pool and whirlpool spa at a hotel where five people became infected with Legionnaires' disease. Two people died from their infections.
• A public bath in Japan was reportedly the source of 14 infections of Legionnaires' disease and one death. The infections were reported in June 2000 from patrons of a public bathhouse.
• Three people were infected in Australia with Legionnaire's disease in June 2000, after they all visited a football club's spa bath.4

[David Nice]

I call them a whirlpool bath. This is the common generic termas far as I know. Not a "Whirlpool (washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc.) not a Hydro-Spa (brand name) or Jacuzzi (brand name), unless of course they are labeled as such.

whirlpool bath
Function: noun
: a therapeutic bath in which all or part of the body is exposed to forceful whirling currents of hot water.

Webster's dictionary.

[jlofstrom]

Kevin,

Go to manufacture and their booklet will tell you what to do. We have used vinegar and I am sure a lot of things work very well. The trick is to clean the "thing-a-ma-jig" on a regular basis like once a quarter and you will keep the pump and jet ways clean.

[Darrell B. Hadler]

I use the term..."Jetted tub"...no brand name there, works for me.

[David Nice]

Originally Posted by dhadler

I use the term..."Jetted tub"...no brand name there, works for me.

Sounds like they are ready to blast off. I had a frined who had a jetted go cart.

[kfonoimoana]

How about bubble tubs?

[kfonoimoana]

Hey wait a minute -if I'm not a member send me back my money.