- What does the Ahh-Some Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Plumbing Cleaner do?
- Can biofilm build-up in the hot tub or jetted bath plumbing make me sick?
- Why am I seeing thousands of "white flakes" in my hot tub when I turn the jets on high?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using thie Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Do I have to get all the chemical parameters in balance before using the Hot Tub Cleaner?
- Where can hot tub or pool owners go to get honest answers to maintenance and technical questions?
- Does the Hot Tub or Jetted Bath water need to be hot or warm when using the Ahh-Some cleaner?
- Will the Liquid Ahh-Some Jetted Tub Cleaner work in hot tubs?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- What happens if I DON'T wipe and remove the sticky gooey gunk that the Ahh-Some purged from the plumbing for a while or until the vessel is completely drained after the purge process?
- Can Ahh-Some harm o'rings , fittings, metal face plates or other materials it comes in contact with?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Why do I see lots of foaming in the tub after I add the product and open the air jets?
- Can I use the Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner as a weekly maintenance addition to minimize bio-fouling build-up?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- Why can't I buy the Ahh-Some weekly maintenance product in the USA?
- How long do I run the pump with the Ahh-Some to clean the plumbing on a hot tub or jetted bathtub?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Is the Hot Tub or Swim Spa water ok to drain onto the lawn, flowers or garden after performing the bio-purge to the piping and jets?
- Does the product do a complete job on the initial cleaning or do I need to do successive cleanings?
- Your instructions on the Hot Tub Cleaner say that the purge takes 30 minutes or so. Can I leave the Ahh-Some in the water longer? Will this hurt my system if I leave it in say, overnight?
- Do I remove the head rests and pillows before purging if possible?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Is it harmful to breathe the air around a hot tub or jetted tub as the Ahh-Some is circulating and working?
- After cleaning the hot tub or jetted bathtub with the Ahh-Some should I refill the vessel and drain to get residual Ahh-Some out?
- What are signs that a hot tub purge with Ahh-Some is required?
- Can't I just dump the water periodically to get rid of some of the nasties?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- I did the Ahh-Some Purge on my Hot Tub according to the instructions and noticed very little gunk or discoloration to the water. Why would this be?
FAQ Categories:
- What does the Ahh-Some Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Plumbing Cleaner do?
- Can biofilm build-up in the hot tub or jetted bath plumbing make me sick?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using this Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Is the Jetted Bath Liquid Cleaner the same product as the regular Ahh-Some Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Plumbing & Jet Cleaner?
- Does the Hot Tub or Jetted Bath water need to be hot or warm when using the Ahh-Some cleaner?
- Since we don't use chemicals in our jetted bathtub is it advisable to add a small amount of regular bleach,( sodium hypochlorite), while using the Ahh-Some cleaner?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- What happens if I DON'T wipe and remove the sticky gooey gunk that the Ahh-Some purged from the plumbing for a while or until the vessel is completely drained after the purge process?
- Can Ahh-Some harm O'rings , fittings, metal face plates or other materials it comes in contact with?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Why do I see lots of foaming in the tub after I add the product and open the air jets?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- How long do I run the pump with the Ahh-Some to clean the plumbing on a hot tub or jetted bathtub?
- The little 2-ounce jar seems tiny. Why is it so expensive compared to liquid cleaners?
- What is the shelf life of the Ahh-Some Gel?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Is the Hot Tub or Swim Spa water ok to drain onto the lawn, flowers or garden after performing the bio-purge to the piping and jets?
- Will the product harm my septic system if I use it on my jetted bathtub?
- Does the product do a complete job on the initial cleaning or do I need to do successive cleanings?
- Why do jetted bathtubs sometimes require many purges to complete the job?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Is it harmful to breathe the air around a hot tub or jetted tub as the Ahh-Some is circulating and working?
- After cleaning the hot tub or jetted bathtub with the Ahh-Some should I refill the vessel and drain to get residual Ahh-Some out?
- What are signs that a hot tub purge with Ahh-Some is required?
- Can't I just dump the water periodically to get rid of some of the nasties?
- How much of the Ahh-Some Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Gel do you use in a typical jetted/whirlpool bath?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- Does the Hot Tub or Jetted Bath water need to be hot or warm when using the Ahh-Some cleaner?
- What does the Ahh-Some Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Plumbing Cleaner do?
- Can biofilm build-up in the hot tub or jetted bath plumbing make me sick?
- Why am I seeing thousands of "white flakes" in my hot tub when I turn the jets on high?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using the Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Do I have to get all the chemical parameters in balance before using the Hot Tub Cleaner?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- What happens if I DON'T wipe and remove the sticky gooey gunk that the Ahh-Some purged from the plumbing for a while or until the vessel is completely drained after the purge process?
- Can Ahh-Some harm o'rings , fittings, metal face plates or other materials it comes in contact with?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Can I use the Ahh-Some Gels for other cleaning jobs?
- Will the same Ahh-Some Cleaner work to free up slow drains in sinks or showers?
- Why do I see lots of foaming in the tub after I add the product and open the air jets?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- The little 2-ounce jar seems tiny. Why is it so expensive compared to liquid cleaners?
- What is the shelf life of the Ahh-Some Gel?
- I own a large Swim Spa or Spool that needs the plumbing purged. How much gel do I use?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Is the Hot Tub or Swim Spa water ok to drain onto the lawn, flowers or garden after performing the bio-purge to the piping and jets?
- Does the product do a complete job on the initial cleaning or do I need to do successive cleanings?
- Your instructions on the Hot Tub Cleaner say that the purge takes 30 minutes or so. Can I leave the Ahh-Some in the water longer? Will this hurt my system if I leave it in say, overnight?
- Do I remove the head rests and pillows before purging if possible?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Is it harmful to breathe the air around a hot tub or jetted tub as the Ahh-Some is circulating and working?
- After cleaning the hot tub or jetted bathtub with the Ahh-Some should I refill the vessel and drain to get residual Ahh-Some out?
- What are signs that a hot tub purge with Ahh-Some is required?
- Can't I just dump the water periodically to get rid of some of the nasties?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using thie Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Where can hot tub or pool owners go to get honest answers to maintenance and technical questions?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- Can Ahh-Some harm o'rings , fittings, metal face plates or other materials it comes in contact with?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- I own a large Swim Spa or Spool that needs the plumbing purged. How much gel do I use?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Why does the Free Available Chlorine level drop precipitously after adding the Ahh-Some Pool Bio-Cleaner & Water Clarifier.
- How do I add the Ahh-Some Pool Gel to the pool? Is one way better than another?
- Can I use a very small amount of Ahh-Some Pool Bio-Cleaner in a Kiddie Pool?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- I see foaming in the water right after I add the Ahh-Some Pool gel. Is this normal?
- Is Ahh-Some an algaecide? Do I still need algaecide in the pool?
- Is your Ahh-Some Winter Clarifier & Bio-Cleaner recommended?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using thie Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Can I use the Hot Tub/Jetted Bath Plumbing Cleaner in my Washing Machine our Dishwasher?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- Can Ahh-Some harm o'rings , fittings, metal face plates or other materials it comes in contact with?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- The little 2-ounce jar seems tiny. Why is it so expensive compared to liquid cleaners?
- What is the shelf life of the Ahh-Some Gel?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Does the product do a complete job on the initial cleaning or do I need to do successive cleanings?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Do washing machines really get biofilms even after a hot wash cycle?
- Doesn't the hot water eliminate bacteria in dishwashers and washing machines?
- Why is the Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner so pricey?
- Do I just add the half teaspoon of gel into the washer drum?
- Will the Ahh-Some harm the washer or dishwasher components?
- What does the Ahh-Some washing Machine/Dishwasher product do for me?
- When using the Ahh-Some Washer/Dishwasher cleaner, is it fair to assume that the water discharge and/or drain lines are also cleaned of bio-buildup?
- Why does the washer smell worse after I just used the Ahh-Some Cleaner & Deodorizer?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using thie Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- The little 2-ounce jar seems tiny. Why is it so expensive compared to liquid cleaners?
- What is the shelf life of the Ahh-Some Gel?
- Can I clean my filters with the hot tub cleaner?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- What are some precautions one should be aware of when using thie Ahh-Some family of cleaners?
- My sanitizer levels are always testing low or close to zero the next day after adding the required amount. What causes this?
- Are all the Ahh-Some products different formulas for specific targets?
- Why use so little product? If I use more will it be more effective?
- Can I use the Ahh-Some Gels for other cleaning jobs?
- Will the same Ahh-Some Cleaner work to free up slow drains in sinks or showers?
- Can I use the Ahh-Some Hot Tub Cleaner as a weekly maintenance addition to minimize bio-fouling build-up?
- Can I see the "MSDS" or "SDS" sheet(s) on the various Ahh-Some products?
- Why can't I buy the Ahh-Some weekly maintenance product in the USA?
- The little 2-ounce jar seems tiny. Why is it so expensive compared to liquid cleaners?
- What is the shelf life of the Ahh-Some Gel?
- What if I use way too much Ahh-Some for the job?
- Is it safe to actually touch the gel with your hands and fingers?
- Is the Ahh-Some manufactured in the USA?
- Doug Leno's "Analysis on Purge Product Comparisons"
FAQ Answers:
The gel quickly breaks through the lipid (outside) layer of the biofilm or fatty deposits in closed loop systems, opens it up to let water pressure push it out of the plumbing. This occurs within minutes. Consecutive purges may be necessary since biofilms try extra hard to stay colonized.
It can if conditions are opportunistic. There can be many different types of bacteria that could be lurking and hiding within the slime bio-fouling in the piping and jets of these vessels. The most common types are P. Aeruginosa which are responsible for the majority of “hot tub rash” outbreaks. However, other bacteria and microorganisms can also be hiding inside the biofilm and is protected from the effects of sanitizers. These bacteria can remain vigorous even in well sanitized hot tubs because they are protected by the biofilm. Chlorine and bromine try diligently to break through the outer biofilm layers but dissipate during this fruitless effort. This is why you need to “PURGE” periodically.
White Flake Spa Water Cleaning Treatment
You first need to determine what the white flakes are. It could be mold! It could be Calcium! It could also be remnants of a Calcium Stearate issue the industry went through in 2014-2016 on many units with inferior tubing. Next, once you figure out what the flakes are comprised of you will need to get to the source issue. Let’s begin with a simple “white mold” problem.
White Mold issues are generally the result of bad water maintenance, typically, not maintaining adequate sanitizer (chlorine or Bromine) residuals.
Are you using an EPA Registered sanitizer on an ongoing basis? Look at the label on the package. Does it show an EPA Registration #? If not, this could be the reason. Many people try to use methods that are offered by irresponsible sellers as an alternative to chlorine. Many consumers are always trying to eliminate or mitigate chlorine in their maintenance regimen. We do NOT recommend doing this. Chlorine is a great sanitizer. Bromine is a great sanitizer.
Testing for White Mold: To check and see if the white floaters are mold you can tell very quickly. Trap some in a small container and add a pinch of chlorine bleach to the container. If it is mold the white specks will dissipate almost instantly. Calcium flakes will not dissipate with bleach.
To check and see if they are calcium based it requires slightly more time and a strong acid, typically muriatic acid. You can collect the white flakes and add a small amount of muriatic acid to them to see if they dissolve. Calcium deposits in solution with a strong acid dissolve. HINT: Be VERY CAREFUL when handling muriatic acid. This can cause severe burns and don’t stand downwind of this when you pour it. If your problem is calcium you will need to reduce the calcium levels and find the cause of it.
You will need to use a good quality test kit as well. We don’t mean TEST STRIPS.
Calcium Stearate could also be the problem. Extruding hot tub plumbing requires some type of lubricant that allows the tube to release from the hot molding process. Back in 2014, 2015 and a short period in 2016 a plumbing manufacturer used an excessive amount of soy oil as a lubricant. The over concentration of this oil caused n absolute nightmare within the industry as most of the major manufacturers purchased all their tubing from this vendor. When hot tub jets were employed there would be thousands of white “snow globe” floaters causing severe turbidity until the jets were turned off. Calcium Stearate is soap scum. There is a protocol to eliminate this issue. You can see this protocol on this website on a header named “Calcium Stearate Elimination”.
One last issue in hot tubs with the look of flaking may just be “air bubbles”. Sometimes when hot tub jets are turned on the injector can be the problem. Usually cloudy water from jets is just air bubbles in the water that have not dissolved because the water is over-saturated with air (oxygen and nitrogen). They are small enough to diffract light which is what makes the water cloudy. It clears up when the gas dissipates into the air. That takes time. The same thing can happen in water from a faucet that has an aerator especially in colder water under pressure.
When using ANY cleaning product you should always be careful not to get the product in concentrated or diluted form in your eyes or on your skin. If you get this in your eyes you must rinse with water for 10-15 minutes. Keep this product away from children at all times. Always wear eye protection goggles when using or handling this product to avoid contact with the eyes. This product can be a strong skin irritant to some people. We recommend that you use rubber or protective gloves when handling or measuring. We do not recommend anyone with a compromised immune system to stand over a tub while the purge is in progress. Inhalation of cleaning fumes can be an irritant. Just use your common sense and respect all cleaning products. Your safety is important to us. See our SDS sheet for more complete information.
No, not necessary at all. Ideally, you do add a small amount of sanitizer just prior to adding the Ahh-some Cleaner so the bio-fouling sediments and sticky stuff are oxidized or killed upon contact. Just a small amount of chlorine, bromine or MPS will do the trick. Usually, you already have a sanitizer in the water using your normal maintenance doses. No need to add more unless the sanitizer registers zero on a reliable (NOT TEST STRIP) test kit.
No. However, it will dissolve much faster and get to work that much sooner after the product liquifies from its gel form. Many people simply get a dish of water, heat it up and add the required amount of gel, wait a minute, stir it up, and pour this directly into the hot tub or jetted bath tub.
Yes you can. However, the washer/dishwasher gel has added detergents and deodorizers that the plumbing gel doesn’t. So, it will work, but not as effectively. You may need to do 2 or 3 cleanings to get it all released.
No, it is a derivative of it but it is not as concentrated. It is molecularly engineered for use in smaller plumbing infrastructures, cooler water temperatures, and for regular repeated use to maintain whistle-clean lines in tubs where regular use of chemicals is not warranted.
It will but it would take 1/2 of the bottle or at least 8 ounces to do what one teaspoon of our concentrated gel will do. For this reason, it is not cost effective for that job. Jetted tubs usually have 50 gallons or less capacity and hot tubs can be 6 or 8 times that capacity. More linear plumbing lines and jets requires the Ahh-some Gel Cleaner.
Yes, very advisable. You only need 1/3 of a cup, like 3 ounces added to the jetted tub water just before or right after adding the 1/2 level teaspoon of the gel. NOTE: Be sure to use the regular bleach that contains Sodium Hypochlorite. Look at the label. It MUST say this. If not, do not use that type of bleach or you will have foam a few feet high in the tub.
Yes! Each has it’s own formulation that is geared to the task it is used on.
In this scenario you will need lots of elbow grease and a good cleaner to get it off. Please WIPE IT AS YOU SEE IT. This gunk has polysaccharides or sugar molecules in it and if left to dry on the shell it can be time consuming to clean it off. Magic Eraser and a diluted spray bottle of Ahh-some and water can really help you to do this. 1/3-1/2 tsp in 32 ounces of water is a good dilution. NEVER use anything that can scratch the acrylic or shell in trying to remove the waterline gunk. Never use an SOS Pad, Comet, AJAX, Bartender’s Helper or any other abrasive cleaner for this job. Typically, you refill the tub over the “gunk line”, chlorinate or brominate as usual, wait a day or so and wipe periodically. it will come off. Remember, this is the gunk that was in the plumbing in the vessel that you were soaking in. You did good to get it out.
No! Ahh-some is non-acidic and protective on rubber, plastic and metal. We have never ruined any part or product that the product comes in contact with.
No! Many people use more gel thinking it will work faster or better. It doesn’t! Ahh-some is an extremely powerful surfactant. We know of no other bio-contamination remover that even comes close to our active %. One 2-ounce container of our Hot Tub/Jetted Tub Plumbing/Jet Cleaner provides the same cleaning equivalency of over 12 (16 oz jars) of typical liquid plumbing cleaners.
Yes, you sure can. Many kitchens have sink drains that are very malodorous. No matter what they put down the drain that nasty aroma still permeates the area. Mix up a teaspoon of our Washing Machine/Dishwasher Cleaning Gel in a 3 or 4 gallon bucket. Let is dissolve and pour this into the drain(s). Great for garbage disposals as well. Run the disposal during the Ahh-some pour. You may need to do this a few time if doing this for the first time. You’ll find that the drains may run faster and that much of the bad odors are mitigated or gone completely.
Usually yes! However, sink drains can be very clogged with hair and other clumpy organic particulates that can be difficult to break through and clean out. So, we can certainly help in this situation but the product will not clean the plumbing like it would be if disconnected and manually cleaned. Shower drains are different. We can usually help clean soap scum and a plethora of other gunk that may be restricting water from draining more quickly. Here is what we recommend for showers. Use a teaspoon or two of gel, dissolve it into a good size bucket of warm water. Get inside the shower with a toilet plunger. Pour the liquid on the shower floor and pluge the drain repeatedly after allowing the water and Ahh-some to drain periodically. This will certainly help out. Repeated use over a month or so will definitely pay you dividends. remember, these are “off-label-use” and are just some things where past customers have informed us of their successes.
Our products are surfactants and water softeners that break the surface tension of the water molecules creating foam. We WANT FOAM! Foam is your friend in bio-cleaning.
Yes! If you go to the product page, click the image of the specific product and information about that specific item will populate. On the lower left you will see a link to Usage Instructions & MSDS Information. Typically, these sheets were called MSDS but now it is known only as “SDS” sheets. All relevant information is included for your perusal and safety. Any questions, just call or email us directly.
15-30 minutes is all it takes. Be sure to WIPE ALL THE RELEASED STICKY GOOEY PARTICLES THAT MAY ADHERE TO THE ACRYLIC OR VESSEL SKIN LAYER SO IT DOESN’T DRY AND STICK. Wipe and rinse as you see the stuff cling. If it dries on the shell, it is difficult to remove.
As we stated above, our gel is very concentrated. One level teaspoon of Ahh-some affords the same cleaning equivalency as a full 16 oz. bottle of typical liquid plumbing cleaners.
Typically, it is still working even after 5 years. We have had Storage & Stability Tests performed on the Ahh-some product and the results were that we were still the same active % when the test was completed. Sometimes the gel will thicken and harden slightly but just add a pinch of water and stir it up to get it back to the original consistency. Keep the cap on fairly tight as well. Keep it in a cool and dry location.
Yes! You may drain the residual bio-cleaned waste water to your yard. However, this is not a “pet friendly” product so be sure to keep pets away from this wet area until dry. The effluent water after the purge process should never be drained into an area where it can run off into lakes, streams or ponds. This can be toxic to aquatic life.
Ahh-some is “Septic safe”. Zero issues with draining the spent water with our chemical in it.
Sometimes we clean out the gunk on the first go around. Hot Tubs and Swim Spas may need a few purges. Some jetted bathtubs need 50 purges in order to get all the bio-contaminants out of the system. Washing Machines and Dishwashers typically need just one or two cleanings to complete the job.
Remember this! In hot tubs and swim spas you are using a sanitizer to eliminate bacteria and organic particulates as you soak. In a jetted bathtub you don’t use chlorine or bromine as you soak. Therefore, bacterial spores and particulates can cling to already formed biofilm formations and continue to colonize. A jetted tub might have many “onion type” layers of built-up gunk and bacterial load that the Ahh-some will attack layer by layer. We chemical scrub the piping gunk so it falls off and goes down the drain. We have had a few jetted tubs where over 60 purges were performed and there was still remnants of bio-contaminants coming out the jets upon start up. Jetted tub cleaning can be very frustrating to the owner. Years of the gunk can’t be eliminated in one or two purges. Our 2 oz. container gives you 24 cleanings since you only will use 1/2 of an ounce for each cycle.
Yes! We have a plant in Enterprise, Alabama that has been making the product since 2005.
Typically, if you have never purged your hot tub with our cleaner it may be necessary to do a few consecutive purges to get the lines and jets clean. Some people have had success in doing the following. They purge with the required amount of gel. Wipe all the sticky gooey grime you see on the waterline with a wet towel. Add another teaspoon or two of the Ahh-some gel and run the pump(s) again to do a second purge using the same water again. This may help you from draining and refilling to do a second or third purge. If you really have an older tub that was never flushed you may resort to an overnight soak with the Ahh-some in it. If you do this you MUST be sure that the system is shut off and will NOT run while sleeping. Why? Because we don’t want any new bio-gunk to be released and dry on on the acrylic or roto-molded shell. Much of the gunk can be comprised of polysaccharides that are sugar molecules and can be extremely difficult to remove. In the morning or after an elongated soak, turn the pumps on, wipe the new gunk off and drain, rinse and wipe the tub down. Refill and get the water chemistry up to snuff. That’s it!
You would just see excess foaming. The foam will rise over the top of the hot tub or jetted bath and you’ll have to wipe it up. No harm is done except you are making extra work for yourself. Conversely, if you use too little of the product you’ll not get a superior cleaning and drastically less foam.
Generally there is no harm. However, if the skin has open cuts or sores it is not advisable as you will usually get some slight burning sensation. Ideally, you handle the gel with latex or rubber gloves if your skin is extremely sensitive.
Typically no! However, as with any cleaning product is is recommended that you always try to avoid close contact with fumes or ambient air during any cleaning experience. If you are cleaning a jetted bathtub, open a window if possible to let outside air in. Don’t stand over the bathtub and watch it work. It is ok to leave the room and come back every few minutes to check on things. Just don’t stick your face in the work area for long periods of time, especially if you have a compromised immune system. People with comorbidity issues should always stay clear of cleaning areas. In many cases the Ahh-some is exposing what could be bacterial biofilm spores. Anyone with health issues should let someone else do the cleaning, rinsing and wiping.
We recommend doing this for jetted bathtubs but not so much for hot tubs unless you notice a lot of detritus gunk on the tub floor or sides. If water and time is not an issue, sure, go ahead and refill, rinse, wipe and drain again.
Typically, hot tub plumbing and jets should be purged with Ahh-some every 4-6 months. You can tell that the tub needs a purge when the water clarity starts to look turbid even after you have added the appropriate amount of chemicals. The water will feel different too. The water can actually smell bad. Foaming will become an issue after you turn the jets on. The important thing about foam is that it remains on the water surface for a length of time after the jets and pump(s) are turned off. However, the one factor that will be the biggest tipoff is the fact that your hot tub or swim spa is always in need of more sanitizer. What used to work is now dissipating rapidly. This is known as the decay rate. High decay rates usually mean that you need a purge and dump.
We certainly recommend dumping hot tub water, not pool water, periodically since a smaller amount of water frequented by bathers and soakers will deposit many millions of contaminants over a few months because of the high water temperature and elimination of bodily fluids during sweating. Your sanitizer, chlorine or bromine, will oxidize much of the organics but a build-up of a smaller amount over time can become nutrients for a biofilm that may be colonizing inside the plumbing. So, you need to purge these bad guys out of the system. This is why we recommend using our Ahh-some Hot Tub/Jetted bath Plumbing & Jet Cleaner every 6 months or so for the typical hot tub. If the water still looks good and the sanitizer decay rate is quite small you can usually wait longer before you do the plumbing colonoscopy. Starting fresh with new water is a huge benefit once you get it balanced and ready to enjoy.
The product is both a bio-cleaner and a clarifier. Ahh-some will seek out any bio-fouling contaminants such as oils, dirt, grime and a plethora of other particles clinging to the pool surface and interior plumbing. By releasing these byproducts, sanitizer is used up more quickly as it is doing it’s intended job to remove organics. People have no idea of just how much gunk is hiding in and on the pool components. You may have to increase your chlorine introduction of shock treatment for a few days to a week after first using our product. The chlorine level will stabilize. Not to worry. The Ahh-some will uncover the bio-load and expose it to the sanitizer. This is a good thing.
Ideally, you mix the required amount of Ahh-some gel into a bucket with pool water in it. Scoop it out and let it dissolve. Stir occasionally to quicken the dissolution. Just pour it into the pool. it is ok to add it directly into the skimmer(s) as well. You can scoop it out and just place it in the pool itself. It will dissolve in a little bit. It really doesn’t matter how you add it to the pool. Be sure to add the correct amount and add it every 30 days while the pool remains open for swimming. In colder months, if you still use the pool, you will only need half the regular dose to do the same job. When the swimming season is in full swing, go back to the regular dose we recommend.
Yes! You may see small amounts of foam for a few days after the gel is introduced to the pool. This will be especially noticeable if the pool has an attached spa where the water spills over into the pool. It is going to foam a little as the product has surfactant qualities in it. Very normal to see!
Ahh-some will bind algae particles together allowing your filter to entrap them. It is theoretically not an algaecide but will aid in algae removal. Be sure to clean the filter(s) or backwash the filter when the pressure gauge reading goes 8-10 psi over the clean filter pressure reading. The best way to determine if the filter needs cleaning is by watching the velocity of the water returning from an inlet jet. When the flow is fast and strong the filter is fine. When is is slow and weak it means the opposite. Adding Ahh-some at first may cause the filter to build up pressure faster than normal since it is coagulating and clumping particulates together allowing the filter to grab them.
If the pool has a pump and filter, Yes! If not, No! Be sure to add the appropriate amount.
All washing machines and dishwasher components that come in contact with water used in their use can leave small amounts of mold, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, protozoa and viruses in it’s wake. Where water touches parts of the appliance there can be issues as it colonizes. Numerous studies have been performed regarding these appliances and it has been observed that most people have no idea that these nasty little rascals are present. Your typical soap and detergents can certainly help to eliminate many of these guys but periodic use of a more concentrated cleaner made to penetrate the bio lipid layer and expose the innards of the bio-layer are helpful. The Ahh-some cleaner and deodorizer is added to an empty appliance and allowed to be run through a normal cleaning cycle will do the job in most cases.
Great question! Yes they are. Most people only notice results they can see after the cleaning. It’s what they can’t see that is actually as important. Cleaning bio-contaminants that harbor a multitude of bacteria that cause malodors is what the product will do. This also means that the drain or discharge lines of the closed-loop appliances, typically washing machines and dishwashers, can have huge amounts of nasty gunk that has been removed from surfaces of the items being washed and cleaned. This gunk has to be eliminated after the cleaning cycle. It goes out the discharge line(s). These lines can also be complicit in harboring leftover remnants of what was washed and cleaned. The Ahh-some will penetrate this sludge and gunk and with the aid of moving water will eliminate it from the line. Many odors are the result of having this leftover bacteria, dirt, sludge, fecal matter, fungus and yeasts getting lodged in the lines. This can contribute to many offensive odors when opening the appliance door. So, what you can’t see the product doing is also a very important function of the cleaner.
When biofilms are exposed and their outer protective layer is breached, as our product does, the smell can be intense. They are trying to cling to whatever they are attached to. They are fighting back. If you don’t get all the fungi, yeast and virus initially they may have a little layer that you need to attack for a second cleaning. After you perform a washing machine or dishwasher cleaning we want you to run a typical cleaning cycle with garments or dishes while using your regular pod or detergent cleaner. This typically gets rid of the foul aroma.
Experts say that some laundry may actually be dirtier after you wash it. Undergarments are the biggest culprits because of the presence of fecal matter and the many bacteria that can find safe harbor in it. Just one load of underwear will have about 1 million E. coli in the wash water. These can be transmitted to the very next load of wash that you do. Fecal matter can carry many germs including hepatitis A virus, norovirus, rotavirus and salmonella. Towels especially, can be loaded with staphylococcus. This may be why your towels smell. The Ahh-some Cleaner works quickly and efficiently to rid the appliance of these bacteria.
Generally yes! However, washers and dishwashers are exposed to lots of bacteria and the rubber seals on the doors can harbor what re called “opportunistic pathogens”. Typically, there is nothing to worry about for most healthy people but the ones we are concerned with are the elderly, the infirm and those people with compromised immune systems. Why take a chance? Use the Ahh-some and know that the appliance is clean and not making anyone sick.
What we put into the product is expensive to get. Plus, we add other proprietary ingredients that make it work so well. Everything is Made in the USA. Please understand this. The 2 oz container will afford you 24 cleanings for a washing machine or a dishwasher. When you figure you get so many cleanings per container, the cost is generally less than other competitive products that don’t do as good a job.
No! The best way to use the washing machine product is to get a small cup half filled with water. Microwave it for 15 or 20 seconds. Add the gel to the warm/hot water. Let it sit for a few minutes and stir it up. Pour that liquid into the DETERGENT hopper. If you don’t have a separate detergent hopper it is fine to just add the liquid to the inside water drum itself. Just pour it in. Do NOT add the gel to the soap or detergent hopper in a dishwasher front door. Just add the gel or the diluted gel and water to the dishwasher cabinet body where the spinner is located.
Dishwashers may have a removable clean-out filter located on the cabinet bottom. Look at your instructions to see if yours has this filter. If so, clean and rinse this before using our cleaner.
No! The Ahh-some is a non-acidic bio-cleaner that will not harm rubber seals, o’rings, plastic or metal components.
Yes! During winter shut-down, especially swimming pools with open mesh coverings or safety covers. The Ahh-some Winter Clarifier will help to eliminate sediment and non-public health slime forming microorganisms that can grow quickly in darker environments. When you uncover your pool after Ahh-some has been used the Spring Clean-up will be easier, quicker and less expensive chemically. The Winter Ahh-some has an extra EDTA additive in it that the Ahh-some Pool Summer product doesn’t have.
Typical Jetted bathtubs need about 1/2 of a level teaspoon (tsp) for each cleaning. Whirlpool Tubs placed in hospital or locker room settings need slightly more since their gallonage is higher. Never add more than 1 level teaspoon (tsp) to any whirlpool tub. Our gel is highly concentrated. More does not do a better or faster purge.
Swim Spa/Spool gallonage is usually between 1500-2500 gallons. We recommend using just one (1) two (2) ounce container of our Hot Tub cleaner for all size Swim Spas/Spools. You will not need more to do the job.
Great question. There may be a few answers to this question. First, there possibly was gunk and discoloration that was being hidden inside the foam. Some of the gunk could also be sticking to the foam itself. Another reason could be that the hot tub was close to filled at the top and the foam ran over the upper ledge and down to the deck or ground where the gunk was not noticed. We see this very often and is how I clean my hot tub. Less work and very little wiping may be needed if you do it that way. It could also be that your hot tub plumbing was very clean and without much or any build-up. If this is the case hats off to you for your maintenance protocol skills.