Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Jostudly on January 16, 2016, 11:04:49 am

Title: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Jostudly on January 16, 2016, 11:04:49 am
My dealer says I should deep clean my filters once a month and rinse in water weekly. I have used Mineraluxe and found it does not clean much better than water. I would like to know if this is necessary since I swap filters each week and also if there is a homemade solution I can make rather then buying it?
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Tman122 on January 16, 2016, 07:17:00 pm
Cascade dish washing detergent works good. Stick them in your dishwasher.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: joelmaners on January 16, 2016, 11:14:37 pm
I spray mine with a little degreaser and rinse them off.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: skizit on January 17, 2016, 11:36:18 am
Cascade dish washing detergent works good. Stick them in your dishwasher.

Any more details on how to do the dishwasher cleaning? Like how to position the filters, what cycle should be used, etc.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Chief Kyle on January 17, 2016, 02:01:58 pm
I can't speak for others, but I put my filters on the top rack of the dishwasher (by themselves) and about every 12-15 minutes I rotate them a quarter-turn.  I do this monthly.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Topline Mike on January 18, 2016, 11:10:55 pm
TSP.

Trisodium phosphate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: wmccall on January 21, 2016, 12:39:01 pm
I use to put mine in the dishwasher, but my Sundance filter is too big.  I find a high pressure jet attachment to my hose is enough to clean the filter for re-use.  I try to use the cleaning solutions twice a year.    The brands I have tried leave a residue behind that you really have to rinse the filters heavily after use or you will foam up your tub.   
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: skizit on January 24, 2016, 09:45:51 am
I can't speak for others, but I put my filters on the top rack of the dishwasher (by themselves) and about every 12-15 minutes I rotate them a quarter-turn.  I do this monthly.

I bought some new filters a few weeks ago and then tried washing the 2 old ones on the top rack of the DW rotating them every 10 min or so. We used cascade. They now appear much whiter than before though I did do some extra rinsing under the faucet after the DW rinse cycle ended. I'll post the results when I try them in the HT.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: n.one.one on January 24, 2016, 10:58:12 am
For many years I cleaned my two spa filters the old fashioned way, I'd spin it with one hand while holding a hose in my other hand. It worked, but I never liked doing it.

I got a new spa recently and decided to try the Blaster 1000 Automatic Filter Cleaner 20" to see if it would make things easier for the new spa's five filters. I just got it and it seems to work even better than I expected. Fortunately I have excellent water pressure and short filters which is probably an optimum situation to use this equipment. Only time will tell if it really cleans the filters as they age and get dirty.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on January 24, 2016, 11:36:38 pm
I've used the Filter Blaster for YEARS and would NEVER consider anything else. It just doesn't get any easier. ONly thing I might suggest is to not keep it outside stored under a deck ;-). Mine is a bit rusty...but it's probably about 8 - 10 years old.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Sam on January 28, 2016, 02:53:09 pm
Can't imagine putting nasty hot tub filters in the machine that cleans my dishes.  Ewww.  It's not hard to rinse with hose and soak in a bucket.   weird......
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Tman122 on January 28, 2016, 06:10:12 pm
Can't imagine putting nasty hot tub filters in the machine that cleans my dishes.  Ewww.  It's not hard to rinse with hose and soak in a bucket.   weird......

I never though of that ick!!! With proper sanitation everything in your filter should be dead? Protein?
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Letran on January 28, 2016, 07:19:20 pm
After wash and re-washing filters, what signs do you look for to say its time to throw it away and get new ones?

Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: silverbullet on January 30, 2016, 01:44:13 pm
Dishwasher Eh! never thought of that! Gonna have to give it a try! Still being somewhat of a newbie here, The dealer had me convinced that i should buy his expensive cleaners & soak them overnight.

Dishwasher sounds to good to pass up!
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Letran on February 03, 2016, 05:21:16 pm
After wash and re-washing filters, what signs do you look for to say its time to throw it away and get new ones?

Just re-read my notes from the dealer. He recommends swapping & dishwashing every month and replacing the filters every year.

I'm thinking since I have two sets of filters, and if i'm going to be swapping them one month on, one month off then each filter would have only been used 6 month each over the year. Or can you just go by how the filter looks and replace them when it starts to look worn maybe. What do you guys do?
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on February 03, 2016, 08:40:11 pm
One note. TURN OFF any heating aspect of your dishwasher. Water over 140 degrees F will damage the filter
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Letran on February 03, 2016, 10:15:02 pm
One note. TURN OFF any heating aspect of your dishwasher. Water over 140 degrees F will damage the filter

Good to Note, i would not have done that. I would have handed it to wife and that would be it
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Gibson00 on February 04, 2016, 11:27:09 am
I recently was due to replace my first filters (disposable) for my Arctic Spa.  Went to the dealer, and they had both the pleated re-usable filters, and the disposable silver filters.
Given the solution you have to buy (or running them in dishwasher), the time to do that every month, not knowing if washing them is causing the material to clog more, etc etc....I just decided to stick with the $25 disposables.  They will cost a little extra in the long run, but completely hassle free and apparently filter even better than the pleated type.

.02  :)
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: summerside9000 on February 04, 2016, 12:22:52 pm
I have tried the cleaning solution, and rinse and let air dry seems to work pretty good. Tried taking them to the car wash and using the pressure washer and that also seems to work well, but a pain to take to the car wash.
Tried the cascade in the dishwasher and rotate and it works ok but don't let them go through the dry cycle or it might distort the filter housing.

I bought one of those green hose attachments with the forks that fit into the grooves of the filters and blast the water at it. Filter comb I think it is called. (40$) rip off but it works well.
It takes about 5-10 minutes to really rinse them out well.

So I alternate between TSP,filter cleaner and cascade once in awhile. Soak the filters over night and rinse thoroughly. Let Air dry completely before reinstallation.

Have two or three sets to rotate so there are always a clean set laying around. Buy new ones every two years or when there is a sale or somebody is going out of business.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Tman122 on February 04, 2016, 06:05:13 pm
Yea I would say more than a year on 2 sets. I just hosed them off from the inside with high pressure, had a little nozzle I used, worked good. I made the one I had out of 3/8 copper tubing flattened on the end and turned 90 deg. Made a nice flat spread out pressure. Adjustable by flattening more or prying open some. Soaked them in TSP after a few months. Made it for 1.5-2 years or better depending on how dirty YOU get them....LOL Carefully massage the pleats while your spraying them off. Super chlorinate when you change filters. Not sure why this is important but some old timer said so (spiders, ants, bugs?)

Google filter sprayer/cleaner I know they sell these?
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Letran on February 05, 2016, 02:46:49 am
Yea I would say more than a year on 2 sets. I just hosed them off from the inside with high pressure, had a little nozzle I used, worked good. I made the one I had out of 3/8 copper tubing flattened on the end and turned 90 deg. Made a nice flat spread out pressure. Adjustable by flattening more or prying open some. Soaked them in TSP after a few months. Made it for 1.5-2 years or better depending on how dirty YOU get them....LOL Carefully massage the pleats while your spraying them off. Super chlorinate when you change filters. Not sure why this is important but some old timer said so (spiders, ants, bugs?)

Google filter sprayer/cleaner I know they sell these?

Thanks Tman, good tips.

Do you also cut all power (via breaker?) before you remove the filters?
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Tman122 on February 05, 2016, 06:15:32 am
Yea I would say more than a year on 2 sets. I just hosed them off from the inside with high pressure, had a little nozzle I used, worked good. I made the one I had out of 3/8 copper tubing flattened on the end and turned 90 deg. Made a nice flat spread out pressure. Adjustable by flattening more or prying open some. Soaked them in TSP after a few months. Made it for 1.5-2 years or better depending on how dirty YOU get them....LOL Carefully massage the pleats while your spraying them off. Super chlorinate when you change filters. Not sure why this is important but some old timer said so (spiders, ants, bugs?)

Google filter sprayer/cleaner I know they sell these?

Thanks Tman, good tips.

Do you also cut all power (via breaker?) before you remove the filters?

No I left it run filterless during the swap out. It was only a few seconds and there was no debris in my water that might effect the pump.
Title: Re: Cleaning solution for filters
Post by: Muddytyres on February 08, 2016, 06:01:30 am
I can't speak for others, but I put my filters on the top rack of the dishwasher (by themselves) and about every 12-15 minutes I rotate them a quarter-turn.  I do this monthly.

Does this work with most filters? I have  new Jacuzzi 245 and it seems like the dishwasher won't be enough since its a big cylinder?

Do  you rinse them again after the dishwasher?
Thanks!