A private hot tub in your hotel room is the ultimate treat after a long day. A private whirlpool, bubbling away, just waiting for you to relax. But before you jump in, it’s worth thinking about what might be lurking beneath the surface.
Unlike regular hot tubs or pools, in-room whirlpools aren't held to the same sanitation standards. They don't have filters running around the clock or automatic chemical treatments. In most hotels, housekeeping simply rinses the tub, wipes the surface, and moves on. The plumbing system inside, including the jets, pipes, and pumps, is another story.
Why You Should Clean It First
As plumber Mike Hanley, who has serviced hot tubs for more than 30 years, explains:
“No hotel cleans the plumbing after every guest. That’s where old, stagnant water sits, mixed with body oils, soap residue, and bacteria growing in the pipes.”
That leftover buildup forms what’s called a biofilm, a sticky layer where germs like pseudomonas (which causes “hot tub rash”), legionella (linked to Legionnaires’ disease), and other microbes can thrive. Even if the tub looks spotless, the water lines might not be.
Public hot tubs, by comparison, are regulated by health codes. Jetted tubs in private rooms are not. How clean your whirlpool really is depends on how thorough the last cleaning was, and often, it isn't enough.
The Simple Cleaning Routine
If you want to enjoy the tub (and there’s no reason you shouldn’t) here’s how to clean it before use. You don’t need to overcomplicate it, but you do want to be effective.
- Fill the tub with hot water until all the jets are covered by a few inches
- Add a cleaning agent: the easiest option is a few chlorine bleach tablets or about half a cup of liquid bleach. Some travelers use dishwasher tablets instead, which is not ideal, but better than nothing (three to five tablets for a standard tub). Avoid fancy detergents or anything that foams too much
- Run the jets for 10–15 minutes: this circulates the cleaner through the internal pipes and breaks down buildup
- Drain completely
- Refill with clean water: run the jets again for a few minutes to flush out any residue, and then drain once more
- Rinse and wipe the tub before filling it for your soak
That's it!
About 20 to 30 minutes of prep for peace of mind.
What Not to Use
Products like Steramine tablets or mild sanitizers are good for cleaning dishes or surfaces, but they're not strong enough for hot tub plumbing. They sanitize, but they don’t actually remove oils, minerals, and buildup that cling to the inside of the pipes. Think of it like trying to disinfect a dirty frying pan without washing it first. It just doesn’t work.
Stick with chlorine-based cleaners or commercial “jet cleaners” made specifically for whirlpools. They’re designed to dissolve the grime and disinfect at the same time.
When to Think Twice
If the tub smells musty, if the jets look stained or discolored, or if the water comes out cloudy, skip it. Those are signs of poor maintenance. Even high-end hotels can overlook these tubs, and sometimes they’ve sat unused for months.
You can always ask at the front desk when it was last cleaned or serviced. A good hotel will have no problem telling you.
Final Thoughts
Hotel hot tubs can be wonderful, but only when they're truly clean. Most issues come from what you can’t see, not the surface but the plumbing behind it. Taking a few extra minutes to flush it properly is a small effort that can save you from skin irritation or worse.
If you travel often and love a good soak, bring a small cleaning kit with a couple of bleach tablets and a microfiber cloth. That way, you can turn any questionable tub into a safe, sparkling retreat.
