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Can I Use Windex to Clean My Hot Tub?

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Hot Tub Maintenance

Keeping the hot tub clean is a must for hot tub owners. But with most cleaners comprising of detergents, abrasives, ammonia, or fragrances, one might wonder, can I use Windex to clean a hot tub?

Windex is a suitable cleaning product for your hot tub. It works perfectly to remove dirt, debris, or oily film on hot tub surfaces. Don’t use too much & also ensure it is wiped clean and rinsed off. Windex residue can interact with hot tub chemicals to leave a gritty film on the shell that can take months to wear off.

However, there are more things to take note of. For instance, will Windex harm your hot tub after prolonged use? Will it negatively interact with other cleaners? And how much is too much to avoid the gritty film I mentioned?

Keep reading to get all the right answers. 

Will Windex hurt a hot tub?

Most Windex glass and multi-surface cleaners are crafted from detergents, solvents, fragrance, even ammonia. But despite all these ingredients, it should not hurt your hot tub.

Harsh chemicals such as Comet must never be used on acrylic surfaces.

Even household soap or liquid detergent isn’t any good. They will cause the water to foam up and will cling to the surfaces of the hot tub.

To learn more about hot tub foam, all the possible causes, and how to get rid of it, please check out this recent article I wrote. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Of course, while you can do quick cleanings around the edges, most cleanups of hot tubs happen after we’ve drained the water before we’ve filled it back up again.

To clean the shell and pillows:

  • Spray down its surfaces with a cleaning product such as Windex or Soft Scrub 
  • After spraying, wipe clean the tub with a soft cloth or towel.
  • Rinse with a garden hose to loosen any remaining cleaner on the surface
  • Wipe again with a gentle cloth
  • Make sure all cleaning product is gone.

What are the dangers of Windex in a hot tub?

The company’s material safety data sheets give Windex a low hazard rating. However, this product can still irritate the skin and eyes and respiratory system. It can also cause dry hands.

Additionally, too much Windex can lead to headaches or migraines if inhaled in enclosed spaces.

Luckily most hot tubs are outside, so the wind and openness of the area should prevent that. If, however, you accidentally get Windex in your eyes:

  • Immediately rinse with water.
  • Wash your eyes with an over-the-counter eye-wash solution
  • In extreme cases, if necessary, call your doctor.

Windex is not going to damage your hot tub or accessories.

However, for hefty stains or build-up, it may not do the job as well as you want it to. That is not a flaw in the product; it is just not formulated for heavy-duty cleaning.

How do you clean a filthy hot tub?

To clean a filthy hot tub, you need to drain it first. 

Ideally, you would be draining your hot tub every 3-4 months. I also like to use a biofilm-remover every time I drain and refill mine. That way, when you do refill it with fresh water, it will be as pure as possible.

If you don’t know what biofilm is, you’re not alone!

Biofilm is basically bacteria build-up inside the pipes and equipment. Luckily, I have a recent article that walks you through how to know if you have it plus how to get rid of it.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

A filthy hot tub could be one that just sat for months without having the water treated. When that happens, the water & filters can become overwhelmed with:

  • Body oils
  • Lotions
  • Hair
  • Skin flakes
  • Tree leaves

So before draining, add the cleaning product, Oh Yuk! (click that link to see the current price on Amazon).

I use 8 oz. for my hot tub, which is 8×8. Then switch on the hot tub jets and let it circulate for about 1 hour. It will foam up, and if the water was really nasty, it might turn brown or green. That’s OK!

Then drain your hot tub fully, using a wet/dry vac to remove any leftover standing water.

For hot tubs that were really nasty, give a good rinse with the hose, and then again vacuum that water up. Then clean with Windex to remove any dirt, grime, or films or residues.

Rinse again with fresh water, vacuum it up, and give one final wipe with a clean, damp cloth.  Refill the hot tub with fresh water. Then treat the water with all the needed chemicals, and you should be good to go!

Is Windex the best cleaner for a hot tub?

There are many cleaners on the market for hot tubs.

You’ll be pleased to know that there are many you already have in your household cleaning collection that can do the job very well.

Stay away from harsh, scrubbing chemicals. Comet or Ajax should never be used on acrylic surfaces. Also, as I mentioned above, don’t use liquid hand or dish soap. This will cause the water to foam up.

So, is Windex the best cleaner for your hot tub? Yes, if your tub just needs a light, quickly go over. If the shell has heavy stains, streaks, or caked-on debris, you’ll want to go with something heavier-duty.

For that, the cleaner I like is EcoOne Hot Tub & Spa Shell Cleaner (click to see the current price on Amazon).

It’s all-natural with no odor: fast-acting, and ultra-concentrated too, and guaranteed not to foam up or be abrasive. 

What household cleaner can I use to clean my hot tub?

It all depends on how dirty your tub has become and also how ingrained stains and mildew or dirt has become.

Of course, if the water in your tub is just a little dirty, the weekly shock you should be doing can clean that up.

If you are new to hot tubbing, check my recent article on how and when to shock your hot tub. I even get into whether it’s OK to use chlorine shock with bromine sanitizer.

But shocking or over-chlorinating are great ways to clean up the hot tub when you don’t want to have to drain it.

If you just have scum lines around the water’s edge, use a combination of warm water and white vinegar. Diluted bleach also works just fine. Just keep it away from the pillows (headrests).

If you need some abrasiveness to get rid of stuck-on grime, baking soda is ideal. It has excellent cleaning properties. But it can also whiten. And it adds some extra oomph without the risk of scratching.

A product like Simple Green (click to see it on Amazon) is a great finisher to wipe down your hot tub after draining if there are no ingrained issues to deal with.

Final Thoughts

The old saying cleanliness is next to godliness really applies to hot tubs.

Clean, sparkling water in a hot tub makes your daily soaks more enjoyable. Anything less than clean is like taking a bath in a tub of water previously used by somebody else.

And no one likes soaking in cloudy, murky, or smelly hot tub water!

To learn more about cloudy and murky water causes, please review this recent article on our website. What really surprised me was how pH being off can lead to that too!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

So is Windex a suitable cleaning agent for your hot tub? Yes, if you are carrying out just a light clean and there are no ingrained mold or mildew issues.

To summarize, keeping your hot tub clean and sparkling isn’t a difficult task if done on a regular basis.

Because hot tubs are very efficient at self-cleaning due to the hot tub chemicals used, like bromine and chlorine, they won’t require deep cleaning that often. Just keep in mind, proper sanitation and routine maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your hot tub running efficiently.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click on Amazon from my site and choose to make a purchase. You can read my complete affiliate disclosure for more details.

Jeff Campbell
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