Caring For Your Vinyl Hot Tub Cover

27 July 2015 by Amanda Phillips

Hot tubs come with covers for several reasons. They help maintain the temperature of the water, keep dirt and debris out and protect children from falling into the hot tub and drowning. These covers do require a little bit of care from time to time. So, what does it take to maintain the vinyl cover for your hot tub?

Routinely Clean the Cover

Taking the time to clean the cover every few weeks is a great way to preserve it. Routine cleaning consists of the following steps.

1. Use your garden hose to spray the cover off.
2. Use a small amount of non-foaming gentle cleaner mixed with water to scrub the cover. (Note: Avoid using dish soap, laundry detergent or harsh cleaners as they can remove the topcoat on the cover and cause it to deteriorate quickly.)
3. Treat areas with tree sap with a dab of vegetable oil on a cleaning rag.
4. After you have cleaned the cover, rinse it thoroughly to remove any cleaning agent residue and prevent discoloration.

Seal the Cover

Once a month, apply a coat of vinyl protectant sealer. This is easily applied using a microfiber or terry cloth. Don't forget to apply this product to the underside of the cover. This will help prevent mildew growth from the steam building up on the underside of the cover.

Manage the Mildew

Mildew can quickly become a problem if you don't manage it the minute that you notice it. You may not even see the mildew growing on the cover, but you may get a whiff of it from time to time. When this happens, follow these steps to put a stop to further growth immediately.

1. Unzip the outer jacket of the cover and remove the foam inserts.
2. Clean the outside of the jacket with a product that is specially formulated for battling mold on the cover using a soft-bristled cleaning brush.
3. Clean the foam inserts with water and a very small amount of the same cleaning agent.
4. Rinse the jacket and the inserts with your garden hose.
5. Use a towel to dry everything as best you can.
6. Lay the jacket out in the sun to dry them out fully.
7. Position the inserts in a shady area with a nice breeze to dry them.
8. Once everything is completely dry, reassemble the cover carefully.

This may seem like a lot of work, but often, as long as you perform the routine cleaning as needed, you won't need to manage the mildew and go through the lengthy process of disassembling the cover for a full cleaning. Talk with your local hot tub sales specialist to learn about the products that should be used to care for your vinyl hot tub cover. To find out more, contact a business like Ole's Pool & Spa.

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