Support Center / Maintenance & Cleaning / Can I use Epsom salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, or oils in my walk-in tub?
Back to Maintenance & Cleaning

Can I use Epsom salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, or oils in my walk-in tub?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. The Quick Reference Table
  2. Watch: What the Jets Can and Cannot Handle
  3. Epsom Salts, the Right Way
  4. Love Scents? Consider Aromatherapy
  5. If You Have Been Using Additives Already
  6. Related Guides
  7. Common Questions

Yes, you can use Epsom salts in a walk-in tub, along with regular soaps, shampoos, and bubble bath, with a few simple rules. Epsom salts will not harm the jetting system as long as you dissolve them first, enjoy them for the soak after the jets are finished, drain right away, and rinse the chrome. Bath bombs are the one product we ask you to avoid, because their dyes, glitter, and floral bits can clog the jets. Oils, bath beads, and heavy fragrances are discouraged, since they can foul the pumps and mean more frequent cleaning.

The Quick Reference Table

ProductVerdictNotes
Epsom saltsYesWill not harm the jetting system. Dissolve them in a cup of warm water before adding, use them for the soak after the hydro, air, and microbubble systems are finished, drain right after, and rinse the tub. Prolonged use may discolor or spot chrome finishes.
Soaps, shampoos, and body washYesFine for everyday use. Rinse thoroughly to avoid residue.
Bubble bathYes, sparinglyFine in most Ella tubs. Jets make a lot of foam, so use a little, watch the foam level, and rinse well so soap is not left in the jets.
Bath saltsUse sparinglyOkay if fully dissolved first. Rinse the tub thoroughly after use.
Bath bombsNot recommendedOils, dye, confetti, glitter, and floral material can clog the jet systems and may have long term effects on the tub mechanics. Fine in a soaking-only tub with no jets, with a rinse afterward.
Bath oils, bath beads, and fragrance oilsDiscouragedThey can get stuck in the jet and air pumps and damage the motors, which is not a warranty matter. If you use oils, plan on extra vinegar flushes.

Watch: What the Jets Can and Cannot Handle

Walk-In Tub Cleaning and Maintenance Guide
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Automatic Tub Cleaning Features The video explains how the hydrotherapy jets activate ozone sterilization and the air massage uses auto Purge to clear water.
  2. 0:32 Manual Cleaning and Maintenance The video demonstrates wiping the tub with a non-abrasive cleaner and cleaning around the intake screen.
  3. 1:00 Avoid Bath Bombs The video cautions against using bath bombs due to potential damage to the pump system.

The cleaning and maintenance video shows why bath bombs are off the list: their ingredients can damage the pump system that every jet line runs through. It also shows the built-in helpers, ozone with the hydro jets and Auto Purge after the air massage, the twice-monthly wipe with a non-abrasive cleaner, and the monthly vinegar flush that clears anything additives leave behind. Watch: Walk-In Tub Cleaning and Maintenance Guide with chapters and a full transcript.

Epsom Salts, the Right Way

  1. Dissolve the salts fully in a cup of warm water before adding them to the bath, so no undissolved crystals reach the jets.
  2. Enjoy your hydro, air, or microbubble therapy first, then add the dissolved salts for a still soak once the systems are finished. Salts will not harm the jetting system, but keeping them out of the running pumps is the team's best-practice advice.
  3. After draining, rinse the tub well, paying attention to chrome surfaces such as the drain trim, jets, and faucet, since salt residue left on chrome can cause discoloration and spots over time. Our chrome and glass cleaning article has the details.
Close-up of a chrome fast fill faucet set with hand shower on an Ella walk-in tub deck
Rinse chrome faucets, hand showers, and trim after a salt bath so residue never dries on the finish.

Love Scents? Consider Aromatherapy

Spa bath setup with candle, soap bars, bath salts, and essential oil bottles beside a walk-in tub
Essential oils belong in the aromatherapy canister, not in the jetted water.

If what you want from bath products is fragrance, many Ella models offer an aromatherapy option that uses a built in canister or diffuser tray. You add essential oils to the canister, and the scent is dispersed into the tub area without the oils ever entering the jetted plumbing. That gives you the spa experience with none of the cleanup concerns. See how the aromatherapy option works.

If You Have Been Using Additives Already

No need to worry. Simply run the standard cleaning flush: mix 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, fill the tub to 1 inch above the highest jets, add the mixture, run the pumps for 10 minutes, and drain. If you notice weak jets or debris coming from the jets after heavy additive use, repeat the flush and clean the pump inlet cover of hair and debris; our black flakes or slime from the jets article covers stubborn cases, and the full routine is in cleaning and monthly maintenance.

Common Questions

Can I use Epsom salts with the jets running?
Epsom salts will not harm the jetting system, but the team's advice is to run your hydro, air, or microbubble therapy first and add the fully dissolved salts for a still soak afterward, then drain right away and wipe the chrome.
Can I use Epsom salts for a sitz bath with no jets running?
Yes, you can use Epsom salts for a sitz bath in your walk-in tub without the jets running. First, dissolve the Epsom salts completely in a cup of warm water before adding them to the tub. After you are done with your sitz bath, drain the tub and rinse it thoroughly to prevent any salt residue from drying on the chrome surfaces, which can cause discoloration or spots over time.
Is bubble bath okay in a hydro or air jetted tub?
Yes, bubble bath is okay to use sparingly in a hydro or air jetted tub. The jets in your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub create a lot of foam, so it is important to use only a small amount of bubble bath and monitor the foam level. After your bath, rinse the tub well to ensure no soap residue is left in the jets.
Can I use a bath bomb if I do not turn on the jets?
If you have a soaking-only walk-in tub with no jets, you can use a bath bomb, but remember to rinse the tub afterward. However, in a jetted walk-in tub, we ask you to skip bath bombs even if you do not turn on the pumps. The dyes, glitter, and floral bits from bath bombs can still reach the plumbing through the jet openings and may have long-term effects on the tub mechanics and pump system.
What about bath beads, Calgon, or scented oils?
Bath beads and fragrance oils are not recommended in any jetted tub because they can clog jets and damage pumps. For a specific branded product not listed here, open a ticket with the name and the team will check it for you.
Which body wash or soap is safe?
Regular soap, shampoo, and body wash are all fine to use in your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub. These products are suitable for everyday use and will not harm the jetting system. After your bath, always rinse the tub thoroughly to avoid any residue buildup.
Someone has been adding bleach and rock salt to the tub. Is that harmful?
Bleach can damage acrylic over time and is not part of the cleaning instructions, so please stop using it. Salt should be fully dissolved and rinsed away. Run the vinegar flush and see approved cleaners and chemicals to avoid.
Epsom salt spotted my chrome. Can it be fixed?
If Epsom salt has spotted your chrome fixtures, you can try to fix it by rinsing and drying the fixtures with a soft cloth after every salt bath. This helps prevent residue from drying on the finish. If marks or discoloration remain on your chrome, please send a couple of photos through a support ticket, and our team will advise you on your specific fixture.

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and our team will be happy to walk you through it.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

Related guides

Did this solve your question?

If not, open a ticket and our team will pick it up from here.

Open a Support Ticket