Why Your Spa Water Is Cloudy – and How to Fix It
- Spa Fuel
- May 15
- 3 min read
There’s nothing more off-putting than lifting the lid of your hot tub and finding cloudy, murky water. Not only does it ruin the relaxing vibe, but it can also be a sign that something's wrong with your spa’s water chemistry or hygiene.
Don’t worry—cloudy water is one of the most common spa issues, and it’s usually easy to fix with the right know-how. Let’s walk through what causes it and how you can get your water sparkling clear again.
What Causes Cloudy Spa Water?
Here are the most common reasons your hot tub water looks cloudy:
1. Unbalanced Water Chemistry
Low sanitiser (chlorine/bromine) levels allow bacteria to grow
High pH or alkalinity causes particles to clump together
Incorrect calcium hardness can lead to scale or dull water
2. Dirty or Clogged Filters
Your filter traps oils, dirt, and other debris. If it’s not cleaned regularly, it can no longer do its job—leading to cloudy water.
3. Body Oils, Lotions & Cosmetics
Oils from skin, fake tan, deodorants, and hair products build up in the water and create a haze, especially with frequent use.
4. Heavy Usage or Overcrowding
More bathers = more contamination. Without adjusting sanitiser levels, your water can quickly become overloaded.
5. Old or Contaminated Water
If your water hasn’t been changed in a while (6–12 weeks), it may be time for a deep clean and refill.
How to Clear Cloudy Spa Water – Step-by-Step
1. Check and Clean Your Filters
Remove your filter and rinse thoroughly with a hose
Use a Spa Filter Cleaner every 1–2 weeks
Replace filters every 3–6 months, or sooner if needed
2. Test and Balance Your Water
Use your LaMotte or Spa Fuel–compatible test strips and adjust:
Chlorine (Pink): Aim for 3–5 ppm
pH (Peach): Ideal range is 7.2–7.6
Alkalinity (Turquoise): Aim for 80–120 ppm
Calcium Hardness (Blue): Around 150–250 ppm
👉 Spa Fuel makes this simple with our colour-matched range designed to match your test strip results.
3. Shock the Water
If your sanitiser levels are too low or the water is still dull after balancing, use a chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock to break down organic waste.
🟡 Spa Fuel Chlorine Shock is perfect for this and works fast to restore clarity.
4. Use a Water Clarifier
A clarifier gathers tiny particles into clumps so they can be trapped by the filter. Add a dose of Spa Fuel Water Clarifier and run your pump for 1–2 hours.
5. Let It Circulate, Then Re-Test
Leave your jets on to circulate water and give your chemicals time to work. Re-test after 1–2 hours and adjust if needed.
🛑 Still Cloudy? Time to Spa Flush and Refill
If all else fails, your spa may have biofilm buildup—a sticky layer of bacteria inside the pipes. In that case:
Use Spa Flush to deep-clean the system
Drain the water fully
Clean the shell and replace the filter
Refill and rebalance with fresh Spa Fuel chemicals
🌿 How Spa Fuel Helps You Stay Clear
We designed Spa Fuel to make hot tub care easy, clear, and eco-smart:
Color-coded packaging to match test strips
Clear dosing instructions for every product
Essential range for easy water balancing
Starter kits to get new spa owners off to the right start
Final Thought
Cloudy spa water isn’t a disaster—it’s just your spa’s way of saying it needs a little attention. With regular checks, balanced chemistry, and the right Spa Fuel products on hand, you’ll be back to crystal-clear soaks in no time.
Need help choosing the right product? Browse our Essential Spa Range.
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