No Foam Hot Tub Guide
Foam means something has reached the water. Rinse first, then settle it with No Foam
Soaps, lotions, spilled drinks and tired water are the usual causes. This guide shows you how to clear foam now and keep the surface calm.
Test first, then treat.
Six things that make foam
Foam appears when something that is not water gets into the tub. Soaps, lotions and oils are the usual starting point.1 Here is the full list and what to do about each.
| Cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hair care | Shower before you get in, so hair products rinse off first.2 |
| Lotions, deodorant and perfume | A shower rinses off cosmetics, perfumes, moisturisers and tanning products.2 |
| Drink spillages | Keep drinks on a stable table so they stay upright, however strong the jets.2 |
| Swimwear | Skip washing swimwear in the tub, so detergent stays out of the water.2 |
| Cheap or excess chemicals | Use quality chemicals and follow the label dose.2 |
| Dissolved solids | Keep them at or below 1,500 ppm by diluting or replacing the water.1 |
If there is foam now
Turn the jets on
With the jets running, the treatment mixes through the whole tub.
Clean the filter
Rinse the cartridge so the collected pollutants leave with it. The weekly rinse below shows how.
Keep it from coming back
Shower first
A rinse before you get in is the easiest prevention, because soaps and lotions are the usual cause.12
Sweat and body products also use up chlorine, so a rinse helps your sanitiser too.4
Rinse the filter weekly
Our guidance is to rinse your filter once a week and give it a full clean every 4 to 6 weeks.5
The Jacuzzi spray is a light spray, a 15 minute soak, a rinse with fresh water and a dry before you refit.6
Replace the water
Drain, clean and refill about every two months, adjusted for your tub size, your manufacturer's instructions and how often you use it.1
Our product pages suggest every three to four months.2
Replace the filter
Fit a new filter at least every 12 months.2
Our cloudy, foamy or green water guide covers the other water changes to watch for.
Your no foam kit
A defoamer for the moment foam appears, plus filter cleaners for afterwards. Every one is new and in stock now.
Jacuzzi Hot Tub No Foam Solution
1 L £11.99 · 5 L £31.99
Sinks soaps and creams into the filter. Add it before you soak.
Jacuzzi Instant Filter Cleaner Spray
500 ml · £13.99
For the weekly clean. Spray, soak 15 minutes and rinse.
AquaSPArkle Immerse Filter Cleaner Sachet
£3.99
For the full clean every 4 to 6 weeks. An overnight soak.
Quick answers
Open a question to read the answer.
What causes foam in a hot tub?
Hair products, deodorant, moisturiser, perfume, drink spillages, detergent from swimwear, too much or low-grade hot tub chemical and water that has been in the tub too long are the usual causes. Soaps, lotions and oils are the most common.
How do I get rid of foam quickly?
Test your sanitiser and pH and bring them back into range first. If foam is still there, turn the jets on and add a small amount of No Foam, normally no more than 20 ml of the Outdoor Living 1 L bottle.
Does No Foam change my pH or stop my sanitiser working?
No. Our No Foam pages say it does not affect pH levels and can be used alongside most sanitisers.
How do I stop foam coming back?
Shower before you get in, keep drinks on a stable table rather than the tub edge, rinse and clean your filter on a routine and replace the water every two to four months.
How often should I change the water?
Between two and four months, depending on your tub size, your manufacturer's instructions and how often you use it. Heavy use brings you to the shorter end.
Sources
- King County, Washington, Department of Public Health, Staying Happy and Healthy in Your Spa and Hot Tub, sixth edition (undated): soaps and lotions, showering, dissolved solids, draining
- Outdoor Living, Hot Tub No Foam 1 L product page: causes, dose and how to use (current)
- Jacuzzi, Hot Tub No Foam Solution product page, sold by Outdoor Living: how it works and pack sizes (current)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Home pool and hot tub water treatment and testing (page updated 10 May 2024): what lowers chlorine, testing
- AquaSPArkle, Immerse Hot Tub Filter Cartridge Cleaner Aqua Sachet product page, sold by Outdoor Living: overnight soak every 4 to 6 weeks (current)
- Jacuzzi, Instant Hot Tub Filter Cleaner Spray product page, sold by Outdoor Living: weekly 15 minute soak (current)
Paul Margerison
Managing Director & Founder, Outdoor Living
Foam is a signal. Rinse before you soak, keep the filter clean and No Foam is there for the rest.