A cold plunge is an incredible tool for recovery, boosting circulation, and enhancing mental resilience—but only if it’s clean and well-maintained. Without proper care, bacteria, algae, and debris can build up, turning your refreshing dip into something far less inviting. Luckily, keeping your cold plunge fresh and hygienic doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple yet effective steps to maintain a pristine cold plunge and enjoy all the benefits without the risk of dirty water and potential illness.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Cold Plunge Clean
It’s pretty straightforward, but the primary reason you should focus on keeping your cold plunge water clean is to ensure positive water hygiene and a longer lifespan for your tub. Regular cleaning also keeps you and other users safe when taking the plunge since you won’t have to worry about bacteria or other contaminants in the water. Unlike a hot tub or a swimming pool, where the water is continually being cycled through a filter or moved around, the water inside your cold plunge is often immobile, putting it at a higher risk of becoming dirty and impure if left alone for too long.
Making cleaning your cold plunge a regular part of your routine prevents the growth of fungus and bad smells from the water, which is supposed to benefit your health. It also makes your cold plunge more efficient in the long run, helping it last longer and saving you money on premature replacements.
6 Tips to Keep Your Cold Plunge Water Clean
Here are a few pointers to keep your cold plunge clean year-round:
1. Switch Out the Water Regularly
Changing the water in your cold plunge every week or two is recommended, depending on how often you use it. Emptying the water regularly ensures that you bathe with fresh water every time and that it is not continually contaminated with falling leaves, bugs, hair, and other debris that can get into your tub. When switching out water, empty the old water and scrub the interior of your cold plunge with a mild cleaning solution or hydrogen peroxide. Rinse the tub thoroughly and refill it with clean, fresh water. Maintain this routine to remove any built-up bacteria and contaminants that can dirty the water.
2. Utilize a Filtration System
Using a filtration system in your cold plunge is essential for keeping the water clean. Filters remove debris and contaminants from the tub water, ensuring it’s pure and safe for use. When investing in a cold plunge, it’s important to make sure they have filtration systems in place, or you’ll need to buy one that fits your cold plunge tub. At Tubzz, we include an ozone system with every tub. Ozone is a cleansing oxidizing agent that kills bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms in your tub’s water. Pool filters are often used in addition to our ozone system to help further remove impurities from your cold plunge tub’s water. Consult with a professional, like an expert at Tubzz, to determine which filter is best for your cold plunge.
3. Routinely Skim the Surface
To keep your cold plunge water clean, it’s essential to use a pool skimmer to remove:
- Insects
- Hair
- Leaves
- Other Debris
Skimming the surface of your tub routinely prevents debris from clogging filters and ensures long-term maintenance is easy and straightforward. It also extends the lifespan of your tub’s filter system, helping it stay clean for years to come. If your tub is outdoors, you’ll probably need to skim the surface of your tub’s water more often, especially in the autumn when leaves are falling. If your cold plunge tub is indoors, it may not need to be skimmed as much, but making it a part of your cleaning routine is equally important.
4. Monitor Chemical Levels
Chemicals like chlorine or bromine kill bacteria and ensure clean water in your cold plunge tub. However, it’s also important to routinely monitor the chemical levels to ensure they remain within a safe range. You can use a liquid test kit to check alkalinity levels, pH, and sanitizer, adjusting as needed. Typically, these kits include test strips that you dip into the water and compare the changing color to the chart on the bottle. The pH levels of a cold plunge tub should be 7.2–7.8. It’s recommended to check chemical levels once a week or more often if you plunge frequently.
5. Use a Cover
A cold plunge cover maintains clean water inside the tub and prevents debris from getting in when it’s not in use. Covering your tub maintains the water’s icy temperature and reduces evaporation, ensuring it’s always safe and ready for use. When you’re not using your cold plunge, make sure it’s fitted with a cover to keep the water clean and ready for you to jump in.
6. Maintain a Clean Surrounding Area
The area your cold plunge is in also affects its level of cleanliness. Maintain a clean surrounding environment by regularly sweeping and keeping the region free of debris. Don’t let users bring dirt or grass into the tub when cold plunging. This makes it easier to keep your cold plunge water clean and prevents you from constantly changing the water.
Enjoy a Self-Cleaning Cold Plunge From Tubzz
If you’d like to keep your cold plunge water clean, trust Tubzz products to do it for you. Our customizable, state-of-the-art cold plunge tubs are built with filtering systems to maintain cleanliness and a ensure safe wellness practice. Our ozone systems are paired with filtering equipment to kill bacteria, threatening viruses, and other microorganisms that can build up in your tub’s water. The combination of ozone treatment and constant filtration maintains clean, cold plunge water that’s hygienic and ready for easy use.
Support your immune system, increase metabolism, and improve your sleep with Tubzz’s top-rated cold plunge tanks. Located in Lindon, Utah, our showroom has a variety of cold plunges that could be the perfect addition to your wellness room or outdoor space. Schedule a viewing appointment today and start your journey towards boosted holistic health.