Hot Tub in Winter: Your Guide to Packing Away vs. Year-Round Soaking

The Winter Question: Pack Away Your Spa or Keep Hot Tubbing?

As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, hot tub owners face a big decision. Does the arrival of winter mean it's time to clean and store your spa, or is this the start of the most magical hot tubbing season of all?

There's no single right answer, but it often comes down to two choices:

Pack Away: A full drain and deep clean to store your spa safely until spring.
Winterize for Use: A "winter-ready" deep clean and a few key steps to ensure you can enjoy warm, bubbling soaks through the snow.

This guide will walk you through both paths, step by step.

Why a Deep Clean is Non-Negotiable

No matter which path you choose, your journey starts with a deep clean. You cannot store a spa that isn't perfectly clean (and dry!), and you don't want to start the winter season with old water.

Without proper care, contaminants like body oils, sunscreen, and debris build up in your water, filters, and hidden pipework. This not only causes cloudy water but can lead to biofilm build-up, strain your system, and shorten the lifespan of your spa. Before you do anything else, you must give your hot tub a full "refresh."

Option 1: How to Clean & Pack Away Your Hot Tub for Winter

This is the recommended path for anyone who knows they won't use their spa during the colder months. The goal is to get your spa perfectly clean and, most importantly, perfectly dry to prevent mould, mildew, or freeze damage during storage.

Step 1: Flush the Internal Pipes

Before you drain, you must clean the pipes you can't see. Remove your filters, add a dedicated hot tub pipe cleaner to the old water, and run the jets on full for 15-30 minutes as per the product instructions. This removes the hidden grime and biofilm.

Step 2: Power Down, Drain, Clean Bubble Chambers

Safety first. Switch off the power to your hot tub at the circuit breaker. Once off, drain the water using the built-in drain valve or a submersible pump for a faster result. Use a wet/dry vacuum to get every last puddle from the seats and footwell. Once Drained, switch the hot tub back on and run the bubbles for 2 minutes, it cleans out the air pockets on the bubble chambers

Step 3: Clean the Shell and Cover

Once empty, use a soft cloth and a proper hot tub surface cleaner to wipe down the entire shell, including the base underneath. Pay extra attention to the waterline, where oils gather. Clean your hot tub cover with a vinyl-safe cleaner, rinse it, and let it dry. NEVER USE A JETWASH!

Step 4: The Most Important Step: DRY EVERYTHING

This is the single most critical step for winter storage. Any moisture left behind will turn into mould and mildew in storage or freeze and crack components.

Shell: Thoroughly dry the entire shell with soft, clean towels.
Pipes: Use a wet/dry vacuum on the "blow" setting to force air and water out of the jet holes and plumbing lines.
Pump/Heater: Disconnect the pump unit. Ensure it is fully drained and dry inside.
Dry it some more: Give it an extra dry just to be sure!

Step 5: Pack and Store

When packing away always keep the cables outside of the hot tub. Ensure Filters are removed and carefully fold your spa and ensure it is kept away from any sharp objects and store all components in a safe, dry location that is protected from frost and rodents, like a garage or shed. Storing it in its original box is ideal. When you do come to unbox it next year let it warm up inside or in the sun before using it. You should also store all chemicals and accessories somewhere clean and dry and out of reach of children.

Inflatable Folding Technique

1.Ensure the Wave Inflatable Hot Tub is turned off at the mains.

2. Unscrew and remove the deflation valve.

3. Push down on the Hot Tub side walls to help deflate.

4. Once the Hot Tub is completely flat, fold the outer under the heater to push out more air from the system.

5. Fold the two sections over each other and push out the remaining air.

6. Store the lead and plug under the Hot Tub and place the unit in to its bag.

Option 2: How to Winterize Your Spa for Year-Round Use

There is nothing more magical than sitting in a steaming hot tub while snow falls around you. With Wave Spas, this is absolutely possible. "Winterizing" for use means giving your spa a deep clean and preparing it for energy-efficient operation.

Step 1: Perform a Full System Refresh

You'll start with a full deep clean, just as if you were packing it away. This ensures your water is fresh and your components are in top shape for the season.

Flush the System: Use a pipe cleaner to remove biofilm.
Power Down & Drain: Turn off the power, then drain all the old water.
Clean the Shell: Use a hot tub surface cleaner on the empty shell.
Clean the Cover: A clean, well-sealed cover is essential for heat retention.
Replace Filters: Install new filters. This is vital for winter efficiency and regular use!
Refill: Refill your spa
Balance Water Chemistry: Once refilled and heating, balance your pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.

Step 2: Four Tips for Magical & Efficient Winter Hot Tubbing

With your spa clean and refilled, follow these tips for a stress-free winter.

Use a High-Quality Thermal Cover: Your hot tub cover is the most important factor in your winter running costs. Ensure it's in good condition and creates a tight seal. Use an energy-saving bundle with an insulated foam mat and a thermal cover to maximise the reduction in running costs.
How to Activate Your Anti-Freeze System: Wave Spas are built for year-round use and feature an integrated anti-freeze system. To Activate -> select the lowest temperature on the control unit and then click down once, the unit will show AF, indicating Anti-Freeze is activated and now the heater will kick in when the temperature drops below 5℃.
Check Water & Filters Regularly: You may need to clean your filters and check your water chemistry more often in winter. Keep a clear, safe path to your hot tub, free of snow and ice.
Keep it On: If you plan n using your Hot Tub every day, it’s best to keep your heater unit running 24/7 . Turning off your heater unit after use will cause the water temperature to drop drastically and you would have to reheat the water the next day from cold, this will use more energy to reheat from cold, compared to if you had left it running. We advise that you set the temperature to low (approx 30℃) when not in use. If you do not use your hot tub regularly, it is more cost-effective to switch your heater off.

Your Winter, Your Choice

Whether you choose to pack your spa away for a winter rest or keep it running for those magical snowy soaks, a clean and well-maintained hot tub is key.

If you're ready to stock up for your winter clean or upgrade your setup, explore our full range of spa chemicals, hot tub filters, and energy-saving covers and mats.

Winter tip - You won't believe the difference in heating costs if you turn your hot tub temperature down by just 2℃ degrees. Most people like to keep their hot tubs around 38℃ / 40℃ degrees but turning it down a few degrees can help keep the bills down.