Have We Heard This Gunk Story Before?

Posted by wfleonard in The Sand and the Foam Blog

Bath residue in jetted tubs contains soap scum, dirt, body secretions, skin oils, and bath oils. With each use of a jetted bath or spa, these organic materials combine with mineral deposits from water and contribute to the build-up of scale deposits. The warm, dark and humid environment of a whirlpool bath circulation system provides an ideal location for the growth of microorganisms that can cause many different types of ailments (e.g. vaginal, kidney, bladder, skin, eye. and lung infections, just to name a few). Scientific reports show that household products such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, and automatic dishwasher detergent are ineffective for the purpose of cleaning bath residue and scale deposits from jetted bath circulation systems.

Water Retention: Claims of “fully draining” whirlpool bath circulation systems are misleading.

Because water has an adherent quality about it, it cannot “fully Drain” from a piped circulation system. The (ANSI) American National Standards Institute that governs the construction of jetted baths recognizes the fact that a jetted bath circulation system, piped with either rigid or flex piping, cannot completely drain. According to their own standard, ANSI permits design of jetted baths that retain up to “1.5 fluid ounces of water for each jet and suction fitting”. For a jetted bath with only 4 jets and 1 suction fitting, this manufacturing guideline permits up to 7.5 fluid ounces of water (nearly one cup) to remain inside the circulation system after the tub is allowed to drain. However, many jetted baths do not even conform to this simple manufacturing guideline, and actually hold over a two quarts of water within the circulation system when “fully drained”. Water retention in any jetted bath circulation system can be increased with the bath residue and scale deposits unless the circulation system is properly cleaned and maintained.

To remove bath residue and guard against system contamination, a jetted bath’s circulation system should be flushed after every use with a cleaning solution specifically formulated for this purpose, such as a bio cleaner.

To properly flush a jetted bath circulation system, fill the jetted bath with water to its minimum operating capacity, add the recommended amount of cleaning solution specifically formulated, such as a bio cleaner, to remove bath residue, and activate the jetted bath’s pump to allow the cleaning solution to circulate throughout the entire circulating system according to the bio cleaning product’s directions. This recommended flushing of a jetted bath’s circulation system will remove the majority of bath residue and prevent a significant accumulation of scale deposits for up to 30 days, however, scale (gunk) is able to adhere to pipes and can thus persist even when there is constant flushing of a piped-water system. (Bio cleaning products will do a good job of cleaning the pipes and killing bacteria.)

Homeowner cleaning: Bio Clean it!  Fill the tub with minimum water above the jets, then scoop 1 teaspoon of a qualified bio cleaner, such as the Ahh-Some Jetted Tub Bio Cleaner. Run the tub for 10-15 minutes, clean the ring around the tub, clean the inside of the tub while draining.

Commercial use: A jetted bath used commercially (e.g. hotels, lodging industry, time shares, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) should be flushed after every use with a cleaning solution, bio cleaner, specifically formulated to remove bath residue and disinfect. The Ahh-Some Jetted Tub Bio Cleaner is recommended. Various occupants of a particular jetted bath may use products such as sun tan lotions and bath oils which increase the build-up of scale deposits and the risk of cross infections.

Some of this  information is provided by the National Council For Jetted Bath Health & Safety, Washington, D.C.

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