It is incredibly easy to accidentally add a bit too much chlorine when sanitising or shocking your home spa. While high chlorine levels can be frustrating, the good news is that it is a very simple problem to solve.
Here is how to spot if your water is over-chlorinated and the fastest ways to bring it back to a safe level, including the highly effective use of dedicated chlorine removers.
How to check if your hot tub chlorine is too high
Your home spa chlorine levels should always sit between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Anything higher than this can cause a strong chemical smell, irritate your eyes and skin, and even damage the internal components of your spa over time. Conversely, if the level drops too low, there will not be enough sanitiser to keep the water clean, which often results in cloudy or foamy water.
To prevent this, you should test your water daily using a high-quality test strip. It is also crucial to measure your sanitiser levels after every time you adjust your water chemistry, add granules, or shock the spa.
Three ways to lower your chlorine levels
If your test strip reads above 3 ppm, you need to bring the concentration down before getting in. Here are the three best methods to fix the issue.
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Use a dedicated chlorine remover This is by far the fastest and most reliable method if you want to use your spa immediately. A targeted chlorine neutraliser actively breaks down the excess sanitiser in minutes. Simply follow the manufacturer instructions, run your jets to circulate the product, and test again. For liquid applications, the AquaSpa Chlorine Remover 500ml is an excellent, fast-acting choice. If you prefer a granular treatment, the Zodiac Chlorine Remover 500g is a highly effective option that easily neutralises excess chlorine or bromine.
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Dilute the water If you do not have a neutraliser on hand, you can remove a few buckets of water from your spa and replace it with fresh water from the hose. Once refilled, turn the air jets on and let the water circulate for around fifteen minutes before testing again. You may need to repeat this process a few times until the reading drops into the safe zone.
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Let it dissipate naturally Chlorine levels will naturally drop on their own over time. If you are not planning to use the spa for a day or two, you can simply wait it out. To speed up this natural evaporation process, leave the spa cover open and run the jets on full power. Direct sunlight also helps break down chlorine much faster.
Enjoy a safe soak
Lowering your hot tub chlorine levels is just as easy as accidentally adding too much. Whether you choose to rely on a fast-acting chlorine remover, dilute the water, or simply wait it out, always ensure your test strip reads safely below 3 ppm before you jump in for a soak.
Lo-Chlor Aquaspa Chlorine Remover 500ml
