Cameron Allen
Table of Contents
You are about to spend a good amount of money on a cold plunge tub so you better know how to keep it clean and maintained! In this article, we break down how to clean cold plunge. Keep your tub and water as clear as a whistle!
Let’s dive in!
How to Clean Your Cold Plunge
Keeping your cold plunge clean is a process that will be repeated on a weekly and monthly basis. Minor ice bath maintenance is needed on a weekly basis unless something major goes wrong so most the time you will do the following at least once a month.
Here is how you keep your cold plunge clean:
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Replace Water Regularly (Commercial use cases and residential use cases will make this vary)
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Use Sirona Spa Solution if your cold plunge does not have UV or ozone filtration systems
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Keep your spa cover on when cold plunge is not in use
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Regularly skim the water
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Clean or wipe off the water line, jets, lights, and other high touch point areas
The above list is a breakdown of what you will need to do.
The rest of this article is dedicated to diving one layer deeper. The following paragraphs will go in-depth about filters, the use of chemicals, and much more!
Everything to Know about Micron Filters
Okay, many cold plunges that are on the market will boast the fact that they have the “best filters on the market” so it is important to note if what they are saying is total BS or if they are actually telling the truth. It is typical to see a cold plunge with a 5-20 micron filter, but what does this even mean?
Micron filters, also known as microfilters or microporous filters, are essential devices used for the filtration of liquids and gases. These filters are designed to remove particles and contaminants from a fluid stream based on their particle size. The term “micron” refers to the unit of measurement used to quantify the size of particles a filter can capture. One micron (μm) is equivalent to one-millionth of a meter.
These filters are commonly used in various industries, such as water treatment, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and more. In water purification systems, micron filters help remove sediment, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities, improving the water’s quality and safety.
The effectiveness of a micron filter is determined by its micron rating, which indicates the minimum size of particles the filter can effectively capture. For example, a filter with a 5-micron rating can capture particles as small as 5 micrometers in size.
“So the higher the micron rating the better, right?” Actually, it is a bit counterintuitive.
The lower the number of the micron rating the better the filter is at getting all impurities found in the water. If you plan on using your cold plunge device multiple times a day (like after training) or you run a business that will have many people using the device in one-hour time periods, you want to go for the smaller micron filters.
The choice is really up to you, we just help you understand the information that may be left out in some of these reviews that we see.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
Covering Your Cold Plunge
Most cold plunge tubs come with a spa cover, but it is not uncommon to see this as an upsell. You need to be covering your tub when you are not using it to keep your ice bath clean. Some cold plunge companies even void warranties on the cold plunges if they break if they are not in covered spots, have wear and tear from not using the spa covers, or have sun damage.
Regular cleaning is needed for proper maintenance of your device. You are spending all this money on it, to begin with you should be taking the extra time to make sure the ice bath stays clean.
Draining Your Cold Plunge
The frequency of how often you should be draining your cold plunge depends on several factors. You do not need to add fresh water to your tub or cold plunge every time you step out, that would be a huge time waster. Most of these devices come with high-powered filtration systems that make this super easy on you.
If your cold plunge is being used regularly, like in a commercial or gym setting, you may have to replace the water (and filters) once a month. On the other hand, if you are using the cold plunge for more residential use, the need to change the water is less frequent and probably closer to once every two to three months!
Keep in mind that the water temperature and usage patterns can impact the water quality as well. If you notice any signs of water discoloration, strong odors, or excessive foaming, it may be a sign that the water needs to be drained and replaced, regardless of the time frame.
Should You Clean Your Cold Plunge With or Without Chemicals
The use of chemicals like chlorine, bromine, ph balancers, and algaecides are commonly used to maintain the cleanliness of your cold plunge and pools in general. There are pros and cons to using or not using these products but you can effectively avoid chemicals if you want to keep you or your clients away from those.
The use of chemicals to clean your cold plunge is generally recommended to maintain proper hygiene and water quality. Chemical treatments help to disinfect the water, prevent the growth of bacteria and algae, and keep the water safe for users. Without appropriate sanitation measures, the cold plunge can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, leading to potential health risks.
If you are wanting to avoid the use of chemicals for keeping your cold plunge you need to make sure you buy a cold plunge with a good filtration system using either UV or ozone to disinfect the water.
Let’s examine a bit further at some products that can help you keep your plunge clean and avoid chemicals just in case the plunge you end up buying does not have ozone or UV in place.
Sirona
Sirona products are the only non-chlorine, non-bromine products on the market that are EPA approved. You can buy the 6-month maintenance product directly from Plunge’s website which comes with all their Sirona products and 6 months worth of filters. Set it up as a subscription to never forget!
The water maintenance process should be the first thing you do when setting up your cold plunge or when the tub has been drained and refilled with fresh water.
Here is a step-by-step bulleted list on how much solutions you should be putting in your Plunge:
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Alkalinity Up:
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Standard Plunge = 3 TBSP (tablespoons)
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PLunge XL = 4 TBSP
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Sanitizer:
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Standard Plunge = 1 TBSP (tablespoons)
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PLunge XL = 4 TSP (teaspoons)
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Oxidizer:
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Standard Plunge = 3 TBSP (tablespoons)
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PLunge XL = 4 TBSP
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Test Strips
Every week you want to test the water to see what needs to be added to the water. Dip the test strip in the water for 2 seconds till it is fully submerged in the water and then take it out. Wait 10 seconds to see the results.
When the test strip starts to change cold, compare it to the back of the tub on the test strips and it will tell you what needs to be added to the water.
Regular Cleaning
On a weekly basis, whether you have a cold plunge or ice bathtub from Plunge or Blue Cube, we recommend wiping down areas around your cold plunge to keep it as clean as possible. Wipe areas around the water line, on or near the jets, around the light, or where people place their arms.
Clear out the hair net at the bottom of the drain or any other debris that gets caught in the nosil of your cold plunge. Obviously, where and what you clean will depend on the ice bath you ultimately choose.
It should go without saying but make sure to wipe down the outside of your cold plunge device if you do end up placing it outdoors.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
The Necessity of Water Treatment
It is very common for debris, hair, or dirt to get into your cold plunge device. If you plan on running them for commercial use or residential it is important to keep the water clean. Both the tub that you (and others) plunge in could be a breeding ground for bacteria otherwise.
Use your spa cover, clean your plunge on a regular basis, and make sure the water is well maintained so you can prevent bacteria and other germs from spreading to others!
Conclusion
Cleaning your cold plunge is a necessary evil. Regular changes of the water, replacing filters, monitoring chemical levels, skimming the surface, and keeping the surrounding area by following the tips that we left above.
If you made it this far and are looking to find your first cold plunge, be sure to check our favorite cold plunge devices of 2023 here!
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
