How to Clean a Hot Tub Cover

Co-authored by Regina DeCorte

Last Updated: October 5, 2022 References

A hot tub cover is a valuable investment, and keeping it clean and well-maintained will help extend its life. Most covers are made of vinyl, so it’s best to use a vinyl cleaner every one to three months. Remove the cover from the tub, rinse it with a hose, then spray and scrub it with the cleaner. Rinse and dry it thoroughly before reattaching it to the tub. If you notice a moldy smell even after you’ve cleaned the cover’s exterior, you might need to clean out its interior and foam core inserts. You should also inspect and flip the foam cores at least twice a year. After cleaning the cover, be sure to apply a vinyl protectant to condition it and prevent sun damage.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning a Hot Tub Cover Regularly

1
Remove the cover from the hot tub. Release any locks and, if your model has a lifting arm, unfasten the cover from it. Take the cover off of the tub and lay it down on a flat surface, like a deck or driveway. Make sure you lay it within easy access of a garden hose.^{[1]
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- Make sure the cover isn't on your lawn or anywhere where cleaner could run off and kill plants.
2
Rinse the cover with a hose. Use a garden hose to rinse off loose debris from the hot tub cover. Use a gentle or moderate pressure setting. If the hose pressure is too high, you might risk damaging the cover.^{[2]
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3
Spray and scrub the cover with a vinyl cleaner. Use an all purpose vinyl cleaner or a product marked specifically for hot tub covers. Spray the top of the cover and scrub in circular motions using a cloth or soft bristled scrubbing brush. Work in patches so the cleaner doesn’t dry before you can scrub it.^{[3]
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- For routine cleanings, you should scrub only the top side of the cover with cleaner. Just rinse the bottom of the cover with water.
- Avoid products that contain bleach or alcohol, as these can wear away the cover’s layer of UV and mildew protectant.
- If you’re concerned about how chemical runoff might affect adjacent grass, you can use an eco-friendly vinyl cleaner.^{[4]
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4
Rinse and dry the cover before replacing it. Once you’ve sprayed and scrubbed the top of the cover with vinyl cleaner, use the hose to rinse the cover thoroughly. Towel dry it, then let it air dry before reattaching it to the tub.^{[5]
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- To keep your cover in the best condition, you should clean it once every one to three months.
- It's best to condition the cover with a UV vinyl protectant after cleaning it. Be sure to apply the protectant before reattaching the cover to the tub.
5
Hose down an acrylic hardcover periodically. While a standard hot tub cover is made of vinyl, there are some hardcovers available made of acrylic. These are designed to require little cleaning and maintenance. If pollen, leaves, or other debris pile up, you can simply hose down the hardcover as needed.
- If necessary, you can also use a solution of one part vinegar and one part water to spot clean bird droppings. To spot clean tree sap, rub a cloth with bit of olive oil over the affected area.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Conditioning and Protecting Your Cover

1
Condition your cover with a vinyl protectant after cleaning it. Vinyl is a bit like skin, and cleaning your hot tub cover will have an effect similar to opening pores. Cleaning the vinyl will help it better absorb a conditioning protectant. A freshly cleaned vinyl surface also gives dirt and grime a stronger foothold, so you should always condition the cover after cleaning it to prevent it from quickly getting dirty again.
- Most covers are made of vinyl, but some are made of acrylic. There’s no need to apply a protectant to an acrylic hardcover.
2
Apply a UV vinyl protectant at least every three months. After cleaning and drying the cover, spray its top with a vinyl protectant to condition it and protect it from damaging sunlight. Use a clean microfiber (or other lint-free) cloth to evenly distribute the protectant over the cover’s top surface.
- You can also use saddle soap to condition your cover.^{[7]
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- Avoid using petroleum-based products to condition your hot tub cover.
3
Cover your hot tub with a tarp during no-use periods. A good quality cover can cost hundreds of dollars (US) and is instrumental to maintaining your hot tub. While it might seem silly to cover a cover, you should keep a tarp over your hot tub and its cover if you don’t plan on using it for a period longer than six weeks.
- Protecting the cover from outdoor elements using a tarp can extend its life.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Interior Foam Cores

1
Locate the hidden zippers in the vinyl encasement. Most covers contain foam core inserts protected by a plastic lining. Remove the cover from the hot tub, and check its hinge area or underside for a hidden zipper to access the foam cores.^{[8]
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- If you notice a persistent moldy smell, you might have an issue with your interior foam cores.
- If you have trouble finding a hidden zipper, check your product manual. You can also search online for your tub’s manufacturer and model number to download a digital copy.
2
Remove and inspect the foam cores. Unzip the vinyl cover to remove the foam cores, and take note of which of the cores’ sides face up. Check their protective plastic liners for holes or tears.^{[9]
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- If you find any tears or punctures in the plastic liners, use duct or packaging tape to repair them.
- Even if you don’t have to clean out a mold problem, you should inspect your foam cores every three to six months.
3
Clean mold or mildew with a mild bleach solution. While you shouldn’t use bleach to routinely clean the top of your vinyl cover, you might need to make a mild bleach solution to fight any mold growth on the cover’s interior. Use a ratio of one part bleach to ten parts warm water to create your solution.^{[10]
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- Use a soft bristled brush to gently scrub the interior of the vinyl cover and foam cores. Then use a garden hose to rinse them thoroughly.
- Avoid using a bleach solution near grass, bushes, trees, or other vegetation. If you’re concerned about runoff, look for an eco-friendly mold and mildew cleaner at a nearby home improvement or department store.
4
Dry the foam cores and jacket thoroughly. After washing and rinsing the cover interior and foam inserts, towel dry them thoroughly. Leave all of the cover’s components out to air dry before reassembly.^{[11]
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- Don’t leave the foam cores in direct sunlight to dry, or they might melt.
5
Flip the foam cores when you reassemble the cover. Reinsert the interior foam cores into the vinyl cover when everything is dry. When you replace the cores, flip them so that the side that used to face up now faces down.
- Like flipping a mattress, you should flip your foam cores twice a year to prevent sagging.