What Not To Bring In The Hot Tub-The Top Ten No, Nos of Hot Tubbing

July 31, 2010 By 1 Comment

You can have a great summer of soaking in your Hot Spring Spa by following these tips.

1. Alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and hot water is a stimulant. Passing out or falling asleep in the hot tub is not hard to do after a few drinks.  There have been deaths due to drowning in hot tubs attributed to alcohol use.  So, save the drinks for after your soak.

2. Glass. You want to stay hydrated while soaking and drinking a cool “glass” of water, fruit juice or tea is such a pleasant way to go. But it’s so easy to drop a “glass” made of glass and have it shatter on the way to the tub or once you’re soaking.  Of course, you don’t want glass fragments in or around the tub. Always use plastic cups and containers around the hot tub.

3. Bubble Bath or other sudsing agents. Sure it looks like fun seeing all of the foam that can result from hot water, jets and bubble bath, but it’s a sorry mess to clean up. Typically it’s best to drain the tub and start over with fresh water if bubble bath or high sudsing agents have been added to the hot tub either accidentally or as a prank. First clean the filters and the spa shell if you find mountains of foam. Add fresh water and balancers to clean water.

4. Swimming Pool Chemicals. It’s tempting as you’re cruising the aisles of big box stores to fall for really cheap chlorine that’s says for “Pools and hot tubs”.  STOP! BAD IDEA. Swimming pool chemicals are for swimming pools. They’re not for use in the higher temperatures of a hot tub. Hot tub water chemicals, especially chlorine have a specific formula that lasts in hot water won’t turn the water cloudy and has the right pH for hot tubbing. Buy only chemicals that are specifically formulated for hot tubs and spas.  For example, SeaKlear brand makes a distinction between all water care products.  They’re clearly labeled “pool” or “spa”. Pool chlorine is a calcium based formula; hot tub chlorine is a sodium based formula.  If it doesn’t say sodium di-chlor on the label, leave it on the shelf no matter how cheap it is!  The advice applies to water balancers.  If it doesn’t say ” for hot tubs and spas” on the label, don’t buy it.

5. Electronics. Water and electronics don’t mix.  Stick to battery operated toys and games unless the music or television system is part of your hot tub or spa and designed to operate near water.  Wouldn’t you hate to drop your i-pod or iphone in the water?

6. Bathing Suits washed with soap. Avoid sudsy residue by rinsing suits in water only.  Even if you’ve worn your suit in a heavily chlorinated swimming pool, you don’t need soap to rinse only clear water.

7. Open Sores. Please use common sense and let open sores heal before tub tub soaking.

8. A Hot, Sweaty Body. Even though today’s advanced water care systems can handle sweat, why not shower first and avoid potential water problems?  Sweat has organic compounds that are neutralized by chlorine, but the more sweat the greater the need for chlorine and shock.  And, it’s best to cool down before you soak anyway.

9. Sun Tan Oil. Why add oil to the tub? Rinse off before you soak.

10. A Grumpy Attitude. Soaking is about relaxing and having fun. Chill out on land and come to the tub with an open heart and mellow attitude.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.


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The Sun’s Finally Here! You Need a SpaUmbrella

July 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With all of this sunny weather, it’s hard to consider hot tub soaking in full sunlight. Sure you can wait until dark, but why miss the chance to soak in your Hot Spring Spa anytime?

If your hot tub is in full sun (lucky you), take a look at our SpaUmbrella with it’s huge 9-foot coverage area.

It’s been tested to be fail safe in winds up to 25 mph and does fold up out of the way if it gets windier than that.

The height is 8-feet, 6-inches high which is high enough so you won’t bump your head when you’re getting in and out of the hot tub.  You’ll appreciate the longevity of the resilient and machine-washable, Sunbrella fabric. Great color choices, too: sage green, camel, terracotta and graphite. The rust-free base has storage capacity.

And,  as a summer special save $100. right now on all SpaUmbrellas. Call any Olympic Hot Tub Company store to order or the Service Center Monday-Friday 8-5.  206 431-2876.  It’s the top hot tub accessory. You can see why: the SpaUmbrella lets you soak comfortably in the daylight again without getting a sunburn.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Why Use SilkBalance Natural Water Care in Your Hot Tub? A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dear Alice:

Here’s a photo which says it all about why we are loving SilkBalance.  We’ve been using it for about 3 months and we will not use anything else-ever! It’s so easy, feels good on our skin, and has no odor. Our Hot Spring Jetsetter Spa has never been in better shape; which is a good thing since we use it everyday.

Thanks so much,

Jean Christoffels and Heather McFarlane

Seattle, WA

Proud owners of a Hot Spring Jetsetter Spa since 2008 (this is our second Hot Spring Spa!)

Thanks, Jean, for sending such a great photo to illustrate the power of SilkBalance. As her photo shows, you can eliminate many bottles & chemicals when you use SilkBalance natural water care for hot tubs and spas. There’s no mixing, no testing. It really does simplify hot tub care  AND leaves your skin soft and silky. Once you make the switch you will,  like Jean, never use anything else in your hot tub.  So, stop the insanity. Stop the chemicals. Do something wonderful for yourself. SilkBalance is the only way to take care of your hot tub!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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View the Full Moon Tonight From Your Hot Tub!

July 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Take advantage of the clear skies and full moon-soaking in your Hot Spring Spa tonight will be a rare treat. The full moon on the 25th of July is called the Buck Moon by Native Americans of the Great Lakes and New England. The name comes from this time of year when new antlers of the buck deer begin to appear. It’s also called “Thunder Moon” because of summer storms.

Whatever you want to call it, don’t miss hot tubbing tonight! There’s nothing better than hot tubbing under a big summer full moon. It’ll be clear tonight so don’t miss this opportunity to bathe under the moon and stars. Count the number of satellites  and call out the constellations and major stars. Sink into the water and relax completely. It’s doesn’t get any better than this!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Hot Tub Blog Celebrates Two Years of Hot Tub Bliss

July 24, 2010 By 2 Comments

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years of blogging about hot tubs and hot tubbing here on Hot Tub Bliss. Thanks for all of your comments, suggestions, and encouragement. I’ve enjoyed writing about all things “hot tub” including health, lifestyle, water care and Hot Spring Spas. The largest response to any post? “More on How to Save the Whales While Soaking In Your Hot Tub”. Most read post: “Foam in Your Hot Tub? Not a Good thing! What to Do to End Foam Forever.”

Hot Tub Bliss is written to connect you with all things from “ahhh” to “aHa”. The “ahhhs” are the sounds that escape when you sink into the hot swirling waters after a long day. That hot water is so soothing and healing that letting out a big  sigh  is the only way to stand the pleasure.

The “aHas”-are those ideas and split-second inspirations that bubble up when you’re relaxed. Inspiration and “brainstorms” have always been an important part of hot tub soaking. The “staycations” you enjoy every day in your own backyard hot tub can bring quiet and sometimes awe inspiring pleasure. So, do share your “aHas!”

And, for fun, tell me about the fabulous vacations you’ve taken with your Olympic Hot Tub Company rubber duck in hand. Some of your ducks have seen the Seven Wonders of the World, and we have photos from hundreds of exotic places to prove it. Remember to pack a duck in your suitcase and take it along on your next vacation. Place the duck in interesting spots and send the photos to us. We’d love to see how far these ducks travel.

So, chime in and share how your hot tub makes a difference in your health, work, life and lives of your family members. Email photos of your own fabulous tubscape.  Recall what happened and how you felt when you finally made your hot tub purchase, perhaps after waiting years to say, “YES.”

With Hot Tub Bliss I intend to create hot tub evangelists all over the world, one soak at a time. Come on in and visit often. The water’s fine!

Comments and suggestions on blog posts and for new blog topics are always welcome.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Do You See Yellow, Green or Brown Water When You’re Refilling Your Hot Tub? Here’s Why!

July 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Are you seeing yellow or green or even brown water as you’re refilling your hot tub after cleaning? Does it look like it could support swamp life? What’s happening? Has the water system just gone completely out of whack?

Linda Wood from our Fife Olympic Hot Tub Company store said that she’d received many calls from customers who were alarmed by the colored water showing up in their hot tubs!

She writes,“Many customers here in the  South end  are experiencing very green water right now (more than normal). But it is normal for this time of year or after a dry spell and/or lots of sun. For various reasons, the warmth of the summer months brings more iron and manganese into our water supply, giving a very visible yellow, brown, or green tint to the water.

I wanted our Olympic Hot Tub owners to have a “heads-up” to this fact. In the summer months, hot tub owners will see more water discoloration when putting fresh water in a hot tub.”

Tacoma Water posted a FAQ on yellow water. The water is safe to drink AND, of course, it’s fine for hot tub soaking! This yellow/green water condition appears at the end of July and lasts trough October. You may need to add a metal control product like SeaKlear Metal Control to get your hot tub in balance now.  Don’t be alarmed.  It’s normal for this time of year.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Impossible Hot Tub Delivery? Not with a Careful Crew and a Crane!!

July 21, 2010 By 1 Comment
Here’s the story of an “impossible hot tub delivery” from a happy Olympic Hot Tub Company customer:
Our new hot tub was delivered this morning and our old one was taken away.  Because of the difficult logistics of getting tubs in and out of their little nook in our backyard, I thought I should photograph the process for posterity.  We thought you might like to see how your crew handled it. So here is a brief summary of the process (completely un-retouched photos):

First the crane lifts the new tub under the wires and over the railing to the deck. Notice the wires being pushed out of the way.  The Olympic guys and I were given a brief lecture by the crane operator about which wires are hot and which are not.  The ones you see being pushed out of the way by the crane are phone lines – no danger.  The low-level ones over the deck are the electrical lines to the house and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  But, no problem.  The crane operator managed it all with as much as an inch to spare – no joke.

Then the process of getting the old Hot Spring Classic model out. The dolly was placed against the side of the tub and the tub was lifted up onto it.  BTW, this was the 34” dolly because the regular, 36” dolly wouldn’t fit between the planters embedded in the deck in the side-yard. They’re only 34-1/2” apart.  It also probably helped in maneuvering the tub out through the tight entrance.


Tip it up on the dolly.

Scraping the stairs on one side and pushing the arbor on the other.  Not much room to maneuver.  Better back it up and turn it.

Good thing we thought to dismantle the arbor.  The angled sides on the old tub would definitely not have fit under it.

Then the old tub was carefully lifted down. Again, he had a whole inch of clearance under the electrical line, but he was very good.

Great job, guys!

If you have what you think is an impossible spot, but long for a hot tub to go there, give us a call.

Impossible? Probably not! Go for it, if that’s where you want a hot tub! Crane deliveries are our speciality.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Hot Tub Outdoors For Mental Health and Stress Relief

July 19, 2010 By 4 Comments

Take time for a hot tub break outdoors. The mental health benefits may surprise you.

Dr. Jules Pretty, at the Center for Environment and Society in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex, in England makes a strong case for “being in nature”. “Irrespective of where we come from in the world, it seems that the presence of living things makes us feel good. There are three levels of engagement with nature he says.

*The first is viewing nature, as through a window, or in a book, on television or in a painting.

*The second is being in the presence of nearby nature, which is incidental to some other activity, such as walking or cycling to work, or reading on a garden seat, and (we’ve added this one) soaking in a hot tub outdoors.

*The third level is active participation and involvement with nature, such as gardening, hiking or running.

There is now strong evidence that all these levels deliver mental health benefits. The levels with the most involvement deliver the most benefits.

A recent survey of our Olympic Hot Tub Company Hot Spring Spa owners echoed Dr. Pretty’s research  regarding to his second point of engagement with nature. All of the Hot Spring Spa owners we surveyed reported immense pleasure, increased mental relaxation and peace of mind from soaking in their outdoor  hot tubs. They all said that being in the presence of nature was the “frosting on the cake”, the “cherry on the sundae” that capped the experience and took it from the mundane to the sublime. It was the reason they rarely missed a night’s soaking. It was the reason why their own yards gained a bigger place in their lives.

Outside soaking brought  a new appreciation of the previously unseen natural world to hot tub users.  Hot tub owners mentioned owls, squirrels, raccoons, the wind, stars, the trees and far vistas all never before seen in their day to day lives.  So in addition to the great physiological benefits, the mental/spiritual benefits were the most deeply moving.

From my own experience I, too, have been profoundly moved by soaking in my roof top Hot Spring while viewing the stars and satellites (!), feeling the wind and the rain on my face and just letting go of all daily cares and worries. Plus I get my best ideas in the hot tub!

RES EST SEVERA VOLUPTAS. Latin for pleasure is serious business.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Olympic Hot Tub Recycles Cover Styrofoam Through StyroCycleNW

July 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Last week  Olympic Hot Tub Company negotiated an agreement with StyroCycleNW to have them pick up all of the styro-foam inserts from old hot tub covers. You know that those hot tub covers can get really heavy and water logged.  And, when the inserts become waterlogged, they’re not doing the job of energy conservation.  So, time for a new Sunstar cover. Our motto: If you can’t lift it, you need a new cover! We’ve always taken in the old covers when someone buys a new one, but until now we didn’t have a consistent way to recycle the old styro-foam cores. This new company will recycle the foam inserts into a host of products. We’re happy to reduce landfill waste and save on waste disposal costs.  Partnering with StyroCycleNW is big step towards our mission of recycling every end product possible. When you’re ready for a new cover for your Hot Spring Spa, your old one will be recycled when you purchase from Olympic Hot Tub Company!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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Hot Tub Soaking Lowers Blood Pressure

July 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ready for a short lesson in human physiology?

As you immerse yourself  in your Hot Spring Spa, your body’s first reaction is to try and stabilize your temperature by pumping the heart faster to bring additional blood to the surface where it would normally disperse heat into the air. This increased blood flow means an increased supply of oxygen, antibodies and white blood cells pumping through your body; all important to promoting revitalization of the cells. This initial reaction causes an increase in blood pressure, but because the warmth quickly causes the blood vessels to dilate or expand, the resistance on the heart is lessened. This means a soak in hot water will actually lower blood pressure!

The blood warmed in the vessels at your skin’s surface is pumped from there back into your body where it begins to heat your organs and deep muscle tissue where the same healthy vessel dilation occurs leaving the muscles more relaxed. The longer your spend immersed in hot water, the more times the warm, healing blood can cycle through your body. Studies have shown that in a spa maintained at 104 degrees the core body temperature can rise to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 20 minutes. This means a healthy increase in heart rate with a decrease in blood pressure that reduces strain on other vital organs. It’s no wonder that at the reputable Mayo Clinic, hot water hydrotherapy is used to improve cardio-health. Be sure to include your doctor in the decision to undergo any hot water treatments. And, be sure to monitor how you’re feeling and get out of the tub if you feel light headed, overheated or dizzy. A 20 minute soak is enough to induce real therapeutic benefits in a 104 degree spa.

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.

Thanks for reading Hot Tub Bliss. We hope you went from “Ahhhh” to “A-Ha”! Be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook Page and follow  Olympic Hot Tub Company and Hot Tub Bliss on Twitter.

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