Keeping your inflatable spa in top condition isn't complicated — but it does require consistency. This guide covers everything: filtration, water treatment, cleaning schedule, and the right products to keep your water crystal-clear and hygienic all year round.
How to Properly Maintain Your Inflatable Spa
Filtration and Filter Cleaning
The filter is the heart of your spa's hygiene system — it captures impurities, debris, and suspended particles. Check it weekly and clean it as soon as you notice reduced flow.
- Weekly rinse: turn off the pump, remove the cartridge, rinse gently with clean water.
- Monthly deep clean: use a dedicated cleaning product to remove stubborn deposits.
- Replace every 3 months (more often with intensive use). Keep spare cartridges on hand.
- Circuit check: periodically verify water is circulating correctly through the system.
A clogged filter quickly leads to cloudy water — prevention is always easier than correction.
Water Treatment: Chlorine, Bromine, or Active Oxygen?
Choose your disinfectant based on your usage and skin sensitivity:
| Treatment Type | Advantages | Frequency | Cost |
| Chlorine | Effective, economical, easy to dose | 2–3 times/week | Affordable |
| Bromine | Stable, odorless, gentle on skin — ideal for high-use spas | 1–2 times/week | Higher |
| Active oxygen | Skin-friendly, ecological | 2 times/week | High |
Always check disinfectant levels weekly with test strips: chlorine 1.5–3 mg/l, bromine 3–6 mg/l. Too low promotes bacteria; too high irritates skin.
Water Renewal Frequency
For daily use: change water every 2 months. For occasional use: every 3–4 months. Drain via the plug with a suitable hose, scrub the walls thoroughly before refilling. This eliminates limescale, mineral buildup, and chemical residues — and makes pH balancing easier on fresh water.
Essential Maintenance Kit
Discover our guide to the best inflatable spas and recommended products. Your basic kit should include: test strips (check pH before each use), chlorine or bromine disinfectant tablets, brush and skimmer (waterline cleaning and surface debris), and pH corrector (target: 7.2–7.6). Discover expert-recommended maintenance tips here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to properly maintain an inflatable spa?
Three key actions: rinse the filter weekly and replace the cartridge every 3 months; check disinfectant levels and pH with test strips regularly; drain and deep-clean the spa fully every quarter. Always keep the cover on when not in use — this limits evaporation and preserves water quality. Discover the ideal vacuum for your inflatable spa for thorough bottom cleaning.
Should a spa pump run continuously?
No — that's unnecessary and costly. Program 8–10 hours of daily filtration, preferably overnight. Combined with a good insulating cover to reduce heat loss, this is sufficient for clean water. Chlorine or bromine continues acting even when filtration is off.
How to keep inflatable spa water clear?
Maintain proper disinfectant levels daily (chlorine 1.5–3 mg/l or bromine 3–6 mg/l), brush walls regularly to prevent deposits, and clean the filter weekly. If water turns cloudy, first check disinfectant levels, then perform a shock treatment with active oxygen. Partially renewing about one-third of the water volume often quickly restores clarity. Consult official Legionellosis prevention guidelines for spas to stay compliant with health standards.
What's the difference between an inflatable spa and a jacuzzi?
Read our complete guide on the difference between a spa and a jacuzzi.
