Cloudy water is one of the most common problems spa owners deal with, especially in Park City, Heber, and Deer Valley where hot tubs are used heavily during ski season and cold months. Whether you’re managing a vacation rental or enjoying your spa at home, cloudy water isn’t just unattractive. It can be a sign that your water chemistry or filtration system needs attention.

Here’s why hot tub water turns cloudy, how to fix it fast, and when it’s time to call a local expert like Spa Tender.

What Causes Cloudy Hot Tub Water

There are a few reasons your spa water may turn murky:

• Low sanitizer levels (chlorine or bromine)

• Buildup of body oils, lotions, or cosmetics

• Dirty or clogged filter

• Incorrect pH or alkalinity balance

• Heavy guest use in a short period

• Old water that needs replacing

This issue is especially common in vacation rentals around Park City where multiple guests use the hot tub in quick succession without water changes in between.

Step-by-Step: How to Clear Cloudy Spa Water

If your spa water is cloudy, here’s how to fix it:

1. Check and balance your water chemistry
Use a test strip or liquid kit to check pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Sanitizer should be within the ideal range for chlorine or bromine.

2. Shock the spa
Add a non-chlorine shock or chlorine-based oxidizer to burn off organic waste and restore clarity. This is especially important after high usage or when hosting guests.

3. Clean the filter
A clogged filter will keep circulating dirty water. Rinse it thoroughly or use a filter cleaner. If it’s older than a year, consider replacing it. We have more advice in our post on how to clean a hot tub filter.

4. Run the jets
Circulate the water with all jets open for at least 30 minutes after shocking. This helps distribute chemicals and move debris toward the filter.

5. Consider draining and refilling
If the water is more than two to three months old or still cloudy after shock and cleaning, draining and refilling is the best long-term solution.

Preventing Cloudy Water in the Future

To keep your water crystal clear, make these part of your regular spa routine:

• Test and balance water two to three times a week

• Shock the spa weekly or after heavy use

• Rinse off before using the spa

• Clean the filter weekly

• Drain and refill every 3 months (or more often in rentals)

These are part of every routine hot tub maintenance plan we offer for Park City homeowners and vacation rentals.

Park City’s Climate Makes Water Issues More Common

In Utah’s dry air and cold winters, hot tubs are used more often and exposed to more contaminants like wind-blown debris, snowmelt, and body lotions from dry skin. Water tends to degrade faster, especially at higher elevations like Deer Valley and Heber.

That’s why our local clients trust Spa Tender to keep things running clear and safe year-round. You can read real reviews or check out testimonials from other homeowners and property managers.

Need Help With Spa Water Clarity

If your water stays cloudy no matter what you try, it may be time for a professional cleaning or deep system flush. Spa Tender offers one-time cleanups or full monthly service packages across Park City, Heber, and Salt Lake City.

Call or Text Spa Tender at (435) 901-9912
Or schedule spa cleaning service online at https://spatender.com

Time to Upgrade Your Spa

If your current spa struggles to stay clean or maintain chemical balance, an upgrade may be the best option. We offer a rotating inventory of pre-owned hot tubs for sale that are fully inspected and perfect for Utah conditions.