10 Tips for Winter Soaking

We love soaking year-round in the greater Tulsa area, but many of us agree that soaking in the winter is our all-time favorite. In fact, we encourage hot tub owners to use their spas every day!

Keeping your hot tub filled, heated, and ready for use makes cold winter days and evenings more bearable. So, let’s explore our 10 tips for winter soaking in your Hot Spring Spa and then consider some of the benefits of winter soaking.

#1: Buy a Solid Cover

If you have a newer hot tub, it’s worth noting that running it during the winter requires much less energy and upkeep than some older models. A high-quality Hot Spring hot tub is designed for energy efficiency. But you do want to make sure you have a good cover that traps the hot air in, keeps the cold air out, and keeps dirt and debris from getting into your spa.

A good cover, like the ones we sell, provides a tight-fitting lid that locks heat and water in your spa. The cold, dry winter months we experience in Oklahoma can lead to water evaporation, which makes your heater work extra hard. However, with a good cover, you don’t experience this as much.

Here’s what you should look for:

• A waterproof cover
• A cover with a snug fit that creates a tight seal
• Thick layer of dense insulation in the cover to keep heat from escaping

You can find that in a Hot Spring cover that fits your spa perfectly.

#2: Watch Your Water Level

We mentioned earlier that cold, dry air can make water evaporate more quickly, so you want to pay attention to your water level.

If your water level falls below the skimmer, the water can’t circulate. With little or no circulation, it’s hard to maintain an even water temperature throughout your hot tub.

Circulation is also vital because it prevents freezing pipes.

TIP: We recommend setting a reminder to check your water level after every soak. You can also check it every few days if you aren’t regularly soaking.

#3: Keep Your Water Clean

It’s also important to stay on top of water care and keep your spa water pristine. Why? It’s because we don’t recommend draining and refilling your hot tub during the winter (this is best done in the spring and fall).

TIP: We recommend having hot tub soakers rinse off in the shower before getting into the spa. This helps keep the lotions, soap residues, and other substances from getting into your water.

#4: Drain and Refill Before Winter

As we mentioned, if you need to drain and refill your hot tub, do this before the temperatures fall below freezing.

If you try to do this during the winter, you risk frozen pipes.

#5: Turn Your Jets Down

You definitely want to use your jets at full power because they not only relax you but also relieve your tired, achy muscles and joints. Yet, if it’s really cold outside, you may want to turn them down.

This is because your jets pull in outside air, which can lower your water temperature. Agitating the water with the jets can also expose the surface to cold air.

So go ahead and use the jets, but plan accordingly, depending on the outdoor air temperature.

#6: Soak Smart

While it’s cold in the winter, and an extra long soak seems quite inviting, we do still recommend 20-minute soaks.

Twenty-minute soaks are just right to reap all the benefits! Set your timer and enjoy!

#7: Drink Water

Just like summer soaking, you want to stay hydrated during the winter when you soak.

As your body warms up, it needs a little extra water to stay hydrated. And let’s face it, we all could drink more water daily!

#8: Plan Your Spa Retreat

Sure, you could walk out your back door, lift the cover, and slide in for a soak. But it pays to do a little pre-planning.

• Do you have your playlist ready?
• If it’s nighttime, are the lights to guide your path?
• Do you and other soakers have towels, robes, and slip-on shoes ready? You don’t want to slip if it’s icy.
• Have you shoveled the path from the back door to your spa if there is snow or ice?

#9: Plan for Vacation Time

If you’re going on vacation during the winter, and you’re leaving your hot tub running, you don’t want to have to worry that your hot tub is staying warm and circulating. And you don’t want to worry about power outages either.

This is when you enlist the help of neighbors or family members to check on your hot tub.

Or, you can get real-time monitoring of your hot tub (ask us for info). If it detects something wrong, it will alert you and us so you’ll be in the know and take proactive action.

#10: Beautify Your Surroundings

Finally, consider making your backyard your very own outdoor sanctuary. This makes it easier and more fun to spend time outside soaking. Here are a few ideas:

• Add a heat lamp or a fire pit. This adds not only warmth but ambiance to your outdoor space.
• Consider towel warmers.
• Add a cozy, waterproof rug to cushion your feet.
• Throw some cozy pillows and a blanket or two on your outdoor furniture if you want to spend time outside before your soak.

Now that you have our best tips for winter soaking, let’s look at our favorite life-enhancing winter soaking benefits.

Benefit #1: Hydrotherapy

Hot water hydrotherapy is a great way to relax and release the stress that comes during the winter months. It helps you beat the winter blues by spending time in your spa in the great outdoors.

Plus, after a workout session, a hot tub soak can help your sore muscles recover faster. Hot tubs also improve sleep, so if you’re sleeping better, you are better able to handle everyday stress.

If you don’t have a hot tub, contact us today, and let us show you how to make your winter memorable and enjoyable while feeling better every day.

Benefit #2: Extra Warmth

You like to spend time outside, but sometimes it’s just too cold. So, you can enjoy soaking in your Oklahoma landscape right into your hot tub.

You can be outside and warm at the same time.

Benefit #3: Winter Fun

There are a lot of opportunities in the winter for socializing and holiday celebrations. It’s extra exciting if you can spend some time doing that outdoors.

So, add some music, some hanging lights, and a few heaters. Then, invite some friends over for a hot tub party. Everyone will love this unique party atmosphere!

Final Thoughts on Winter Soaking

Do you have any questions about hot tubs? If you’re thinking about purchasing a hot tub this winter, our expert team at Fiesta Pools and Spa can help!

With two locations in Tulsa, we’d love to meet you and discuss even more benefits of hot tub soaking year-round for you and your family!

Come see us, or use the chat feature (in the lower right) to contact us today!