One of the neat amenities in a TS is often the whirlpool tub....

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

If you filled the tub and added bleach (how much?), then ran it for a little while, drained and refilled, would that suffice???

My husband was a home inspector several years ago and one of the things they told him when he went to training was to tell people to be sure to run bleach through the whirlpool tub every so often as all the water never drains and mold and mildew. He said about a cup for a regular sized jetted tub, but more for the extra large ones. (My thought is more is better if it is not my tub!)

We used to have one of the extra large whirlpool tubs (big enough for 2 people) in our condo. Since we had it on a rental program, I NEVER got in it before doing a thourough cleaning. I filled it up, poured a bunch of bleach in it, then turned it on and let it run about 5 minutes, drained it and filled it again and drained it one more time before I filled it for my use. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but I never knew what might be in there. I seldom used this tub, but whenever I did use it, I would pour more bleach in when I got out and run it a minute before draining the tub. I figured that it would not hurt to have a little bleach in those pipes before its next use.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

We used to have one of the extra large whirlpool tubs (big enough for 2 people) in our condo. Since we had it on a rental program, I NEVER got in it before doing a thourough cleaning. I filled it up, poured a bunch of bleach in it, then turned it on and let it run about 5 minutes, drained it and filled it again and drained it one more time before I filled it for my use. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but I never knew what might be in there. I seldom used this tub, but whenever I did use it, I would pour more bleach in when I got out and run it a minute before draining the tub. I figured that it would not hurt to have a little bleach in those pipes before its next use.

Five minutes isn't nearly long enough in this application. Think more in terms of at least 30 minutes.

If you want to do it more efficiently and you have swimming pool chemicals and a test kit available, add enough acid to drop the pH to about 6.5 after adding the bleach. If you do that, five to ten minutes would be adequate. But if you're just adding bleach to the system you're going to need a lot longer time for the bleach to do it's job.

And if your water source is high quality, low dissolved solids source from a mountain watershed (e.g., San Franscisco Hetch Hetchy, all of the Seattle-Tacoma area, most of East Bay MUD, NYC Croton, Los Angeles Owens Valley), the pH of the local water supply is likely 8.5 or higher. Which means bleach treatement is going to be even less effective.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I have not read this thread, but have read the topic enough times that I have to say . . . we have a jetted tub at home, in our master suite, and we never use it.

So . . . whatever that means.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Still enjoy it

Okay, I've read all of this, but I still enjoy them and will keep using them. I can't see this is any worse than a regular tub or pool or whatever.

Nancy

[buckeyefever Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close buckeyefever]

We're at Myrtle Beach Ocean Blvd. right now in a 2BR & I'm planning on using the jacuzzi tub. We've only had one room that has not had one, and it's a real hightlight for the trip. I guess that's one of the things I don't worry too much about. After all, how many people get into the outdoor hottubs? I figure if I get a rash, I'll go to the doctor, and if I die, at least I will have fun doing it...can you tell I've got that vacation attitude?

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

...to be sure to run bleach through the whirlpool tub every so often as all the water never drains and mold and mildew. He said about a cup for a regular sized jetted tub, but more for the extra large ones. (My thought is more is better if it is not my tub!)

Think more in terms of at least 30 minutes.

Okay, so a cuppa bleach, run it and let it soak for a half hour or so. I think that'd be easy enough to do while we unpack if we think we may want to use it on that trip. Thanks!

We're at Myrtle Beach Ocean Blvd. right now in a 2BR & I'm planning on using the jacuzzi tub... at least I will have fun doing it...can you tell I've got that vacation attitude?

Right behind ya!!! We'll be out there later this summer and we plan to enjoy the water... everywhere... ocean, pools, hot tubs, whirlpool. Oh yeah!

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

We're at Myrtle Beach Ocean Blvd. right now in a 2BR & I'm planning on using the jacuzzi tub. We've only had one room that has not had one, and it's a real hightlight for the trip. I guess that's one of the things I don't worry too much about. After all, how many people get into the outdoor hottubs? I figure if I get a rash, I'll go to the doctor, and if I die, at least I will have fun doing it...can you tell I've got that vacation attitude?

In general, outdoor hot tubs do not pose the same issues. Most of those units are operated and maintained in conjunction with a swimming pool. Most public health departments in the US require regular testing and analysis of the water to ensure proper disinfection.

*******

There's a reason why public health departments regulate swimming pools. That's because immersing one's body in water is an extremely effective way for microorganisms to invade the body. Water provides a ready pathway for organisms to get below the skin through cuts and sores and via the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears.

Properly maintained pools (which, as I mentioned, includes hot tubs and spas operated as part of public pool setting) greatly reduce the risks. But even with proper maintenance, people who use pools regularly have elevated levels of skin infections and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. (And the incidence rates are about 100x greater when people swim in open waters even when the waters meet sanitation criteria).

If the system is not maintained all bets are off. And it's not the black gunk that does you in.

[Transit Member Find all posts View Profile Close Transit]

I never thought about the issue much.I've always used outside/inside pools and jacuzzies and hot tubs at resorts also the jetted tubs in the rooms.I've never caught any type of illness (that I know of).