How to Clean Bathtub Jets
Soap scum, bacteria and pathogens love soaking in warm water just as much as you do.
If you like soaking in a Jacuzzi or whirlpool bath after a trip to the gym, chances are you and your sore muscles are not soaking alone.
Knowing how to clean bathtub jets properly will keep you soaking in health.
Why Bathtub Jets get Dirty to Start With
Though it depends in part with the type of soap you use (bar soap and baby oil and some bubble bath soaps are the worst offenders), your skin and natural body oil that are removed while soaking in the tub are not drained completely from inside the pipes.
The dirty water, remaining soap, body oils stick to the inside surface (think "Soap Scum") and some residue will stay inside the pipes ready to recirculate the next time the jets in the tub are used again, or worse yet, will coat the inside of the jets because soap scum hardens and can become very difficult to remove it's allowed to sit.
Any dirty water left in the pipes is a breeding ground for bacteria. When the jets are turned on again, bacteria, skin and soap residue comes spewing out into the new bath.
Yuck!
Preventing Dirty Bathtub Jets (Maintenance Cleaning)
- After each use, fill the tub with warm water.
- Run the jets for 10 to 15 minutes to flush out remaining soap scum, hair, body oils, dead skin, etc.
- Drain the tub as usual.
Heavy Duty Jet Cleaning
Clean the entire system at least once per month. (If you use the tub frequently, clean the system every two weeks.)
To Clean the Entire Whirlpool System:
- Fill the Jacuzzi or whirlpool tub with hot water
- Make sure the water temperature reaches 140º F (60º C)
- Add four tablespoons of low-sudsing dishwasher or laundry detergent
- Run the Jacuzzi or whirlpool for 15 to 20 minutes
- Drain the tub and refill with clean lukewarm water
- Run the jets for another 15 to 20 minutes
- Drain the bathtub
Always make sure the jets are turned to prevent air induction into the Whirlpool jet system.
Using Chlorine Bleach
Bleach will help to sterilize the jets, which would be helpful in removing mold and mildew. It won't make a dent on soap scum or residue clogging the inside of the pipes.
How to use Chlorine Bleach to Clean and Sterilize your Tub:
First open a window for proper air ventilation
- Fill the Jacuzzi or whirlpool tub with hot water
- Make sure the water temperature reaches 140º F (60º C)
- Add 2 cups of Chlorine Bleach
- Run the Jacuzzi or whirlpool for 15 minutes
- Drain the tub and refill with clean lukewarm water
- Run the jets for another 15 minutes
- Drain the tub
- Run your hand along the sides to make sure the tub is not slippery and the bleach has been removed
Using Vinegar
Vinegar will kill mold and mildew, and it is less likely to irritate skin.
Instead of using bleach to disinfect and kill additional germs in your bathtub jets, you can also use distilled white vinegar.
You can also combine vinegar with many other products (BUT read the product label) and not worry about potentially serious chemical reactions.
The cleaning difference of bleach vs. vinegar is that bleach liquefies and removes any mold or mildew, and vinegar will acidify the water which helps to soften and remove soap scum. There may be a bit of extra scrubbing needed in and around the jet if you use vinegar only.
An added bonus is that plain white vinegar is a natural deodorizer which neutralizes and removes unpleasant odors.
To Clean the Jets with Vinegar:
- Fill the tub with hot water as outlined above
- Add four tablespoons of low-sudsing dishwasher detergent
- Add four to five cups of white vinegar
- Run, drain and rinse completely
Cleaning Inside the Jets:
If you see any remaining debris, mold or mildew inside the holes of the jet itself, simply grab an old toothbrush, or a long-handled soft brush and gently scrub inside the jet with a bit of shampoo or dish-washing liquid to remove any accumulated oils.
This job might be more effective if you've tried the hot water with chlorine bleach OR detergent OR vinegar and detergent mixture through the jets.
Once the remaining debris, mold or mildew is gone, rinse thoroughly.
Enjoy Your Clean and Relaxing Whirlpool Bathtub
Nothing feels as good as a job well done!
A relaxing bath with candles and a few drops of essential oils sounds like a treat to me.
Your bathtub jets will remain clean and debris-free if you follow my tried-and-true tips. Stay on top of it and don't let it come back!
