No one likes to clean the hot tub. But, there comes a time that you have to do it. Most people want to speed things up and think– can you pressure wash a hot tub? I tried it and here’s what I learned:
Yes, you can pressure wash a hot tub. But, you should use low PSI when doing it. Also, you should only aim for the cabinets of the hot tub and not the shell. You can easily damage the shell with a pressure wash.
But, that’s not all.
How Much PSI Do You Need When Power Washing Your Hot Tub?
If you don’t already know, the “PSI” stands for pounds per square inch. Basically, it’s the water pressure. So, how much PSI should you use?
I recommended using less than 1500 PSI when pressure washing your hot tub. Using more than 1500 PSI can damage your hot tub cabinets, and create holes that will leak water.
Pressure wash is mostly used to clean the things that you can’t clean with your hands. The main reason power wash is so effective is because it uses a lot of pressure. And with a lot of water pressure, you can remove stains, paints, and sticky liquids.
But, that’s not the case with hot tubs. Using too much PSI can damage your cabinets, or even remove the paint from the cabinets. And, you don’t want that.
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Dangers of Cleaning a Hot Tub With Pressure Wash
If you never used a pressure washer before, then you shouldn’t use it on a hot tub. Hot tubs cost a lot of money, and you can easily damage them with a pressure washer. Here are some more dangers that come with pressure washing a hot tub:
You Can Damage the Decks
If you have an old pressure washer, then those don’t stop. Once you turn them on, you have to aim somewhere. While trying not to aim at the hot tub, you can accidentally aim at the decks.
I did that, and now I have a small mark on my deck. If you have old decks then you can even break them with a lot of pressure. That’s why I recommend using low pressure.
You Can Damage The Cabinets
If you have wood cabinets, then you should use very low pressure. Hot tub wood cabinets hold a lot of weight all the time. And, if you use the hot tub a lot, then those cabinets can be damaged without you knowing.
You can break the cabinets or make a hole. The hole will leak the water, and then you will have to spend a lot of money to repair it.
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You Can Damage The Hot Tub Shell
The hot tub shell comes with a lot of “sensitive” objects. You have your hot tub jets, your pillows, your control panel, and a lot of other things that can easily break.
Hot tub pillows are very soft, and if you pressure wash them you will damage them. Control panels usually come with a LED screen and you don’t want water near that. And if you accidentally damage hot tub jets then it will cost you a lot of money to fix.
You should never clean the inside of the hot tub with a pressure washer. Unless you are using very low pressure.
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Can You Re-fill the Hot Tub With Pressure Wash?
Cleaning the hot tub is one thing. But, can you re-fill it with a power washer? Let’s find out.
Yes, you can re-fill a hot tub with a pressure wash. But, you need to use a low PSI. The power washer shouldn’t have more pressure than a hose does.
But, I recommend using a hose when re-filling the hot tub. Pressure washers are usually used only to clean surfaces. They are very effective if you use a lot of pressure, but they don’t offer a lot of water volume. If you compare the hose vs the pressure washer, then you can fill the hot tub faster with a hose.
Can I Use A Pressure Washer To Clean An Inflatable Hot Tub?
Inflatable hot tubs are different from regular hot tubs. They are not made of wood or metal. Instead, they are made of plastic or PVC material (Polyvinyl chloride). So, can you pressure wash inflatable hot tubs?
Yes, you can clean inflatable hot tubs with a pressure washer. You just have to use low PSI, and keep a very large distance between the pressure washer tip and the inflatable hot tub.
In general, inflatable hot tubs are harder to clean. But, you don’t have to clean them as often as a regular hot tub. Inflatable hot tubs are made of plastic and that doesn’t get as dirty as a wood hot tub. Plus, inflatable hot tubs are usually smaller, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning them.
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Can You Pop an Inflatable Hot Tub by Pressure Washing It?
Inflatable hot tubs are made of plastic, and a pressure washer is a powerful tool. But, can you pop an inflatable hot tub with a pressure washer? Let’s see:
No, you can’t pop an inflatable hot tub with a pressure washer. Inflatable hot tubs are made of 3-ply vinyl and they are very hard to pop. But, just in case, keep a distance between the tip of the pressure washer and the inflatable hot tub.
I only tested this from a far distance, and the inflatable didn’t pop. But, I’m sure if you use a lot of pressure (PSI), and keep the pressure washer tip very close to the inflatable hot tub, then it can pop after a while. Clearly, I don’t recommend doing that.
But, if your inflatable hot tub pops, then don’t worry. You can easily patch it using a vinyl repairer.
Final Words
Pressure washing does wonders. If your hot tub has been sitting for a while, then a pressure wash will get most of the stains off. Just make sure to use low pressure or you will find yourself looking for a new hot tub.
