3 Secrets to Keeping Your Spa Cover Looking New

Maintaining a hot tub cover is very simple and can greatly increase the life expectancy. However most owners fail to take much interest in their covers until it is two late. A hot tub cover will eventually fade, crack or take on water and become very heavy. Here are three tips to keeping your cover looking new.

Clean cover regularly. Most covers are made of an outdoor grade marine vinyl. This vinyl has some resilience compared to indoor vinyl. However it is very important to clean your cover with a specially designed cover cleaner.

I have seen a lot of hot tub owners use Armoral or other vinyl cleaner/shiner's. The problem with this is that afterwards the cleaner becomes a magnet for dust and airborne dirt. While the shine may be short lived in the end the cover will actually attract more dirt. The best method of cleaning a cover is to use hot soap water and a scrub brush.

I find dish soap works fine. Be sure to rinse of the soap as you don't want it to enter into the water. A product such as cover restore is will both clean the cover and provides some added protection from the sun and more dirt. This product will help to keep the cover from fading and cracking caused by sun. Check interior foam annually for cracks in vapor barrier. All foam covers are wrapped in a plastic protective liner. This stops the steam from entering the foam and becoming water logged.

However over time the plastic can tear or seams can open. Most covers have a zipper system that allows you to quickly remove the vinyl cover and check the foam. If water or steam finds its way past this barrier you will notice quickly that your cover will become very heavy and needs replacing. Check to ensure the cover is sealed. Use packing tape to repair any seams or areas that may allow water into foam. I recommend doing this once per year. Cover cover when storing for the season.

This may sound somewhat strange but by wrapping the hot tub in a plastic tarp you will greatly increase the life of the tub. Keeping the cover dry and out of the sun is one of the best defenses against aging. If you tend to close your tub for a few months then take the time to wrap it for storage. A regular tarp and works best and will seal out rain, snow, and damaging sun. Use these three tips and I guarantee you will double the life of your cover.