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Before Your First Bath: The Initial Vinegar Flush and First-Use Checklist

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Why the First Flush Matters
  2. Watch: The Initial Cleanout
  3. The First-Use Vinegar Flush, Step by Step
  4. First-Use Checklist
  5. Expect the Auto Purge After Your Bath
  6. Related Guides
  7. Common Questions

Before your first bath in a new walk-in tub, run a quick vinegar flush of the pump circulation system: 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, filled 1 inch above the highest jets, run for 10 minutes, then drained. It only takes about fifteen minutes from start to finish, and it clears out any residue left over from manufacturing, shipping, and installation so your first soak is fresh and clean. This article walks you through the flush and a short first-use checklist.

Why the First Flush Matters

The pump circulation system needs to be flushed and drained once before the tub is used for the first time. During production and installation, small amounts of dust or construction debris can settle in the lines, and the flush circulates a gentle vinegar solution through every jet and hose to carry it out. Because the air and hydro systems are fully plumbed, this is not something you repeat after every bath. After the first flush, the same routine is only needed about once a month.

Watch: The Initial Cleanout

How To Clean Your Walk-In Tub

This short video shows the initial cleanout after installation: fill the tub until the water is over the highest jets, add white vinegar, run all the jets, then drain fully. For the exact amounts and run time, use the current published recipe below, which is the same one on the cleaning instructions that shipped with your tub. Watch: How To Clean Your Walk-In Tub with a full transcript.

The First-Use Vinegar Flush, Step by Step

  1. Mix 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.
  2. Fill the tub with water to about one inch above the highest jets.
  3. Add the vinegar and water mixture to the tub.
  4. Run the tub for 10 minutes so the solution circulates through all of the jetted systems.
  5. Drain the tub completely. You are ready for your first bath.

That is the whole procedure. It is exactly the same flush we recommend once a month going forward, so learning it now means you already know your monthly routine. You can find the full schedule in our article on cleaning and monthly maintenance, and the same instructions are published at ellasbubbles.com/walk-in-tub/cleaning-maintenance/.

Hand pressing the chrome push-button controls on an Ella walk-in tub next to the stainless grab bar
Press the push buttons gently with your palm, and only after the water covers the highest jets.

First-Use Checklist

  • Confirm the installer's water test was done. Before the tub is closed in and finished, the installation should include a filled water test to confirm there are no leaks. Our pre-installation water test article explains what that test covers.
  • Check the door seal. It can stick or deform slightly in shipping. Squeeze it with your fingertips and pull it gently away from the frame to restore its shape, clean it with rubbing alcohol, and confirm the door closes smoothly into a watertight seal. Leave the door open whenever the tub is not in use.
  • Test the GFCI outlets. Confirm each cord is on its own dedicated GFCI circuit and that the test and reset buttons work.
  • Work the drains. Make sure the drain stoppers open and close fully with their deck handles.
  • Wipe away construction debris. Use a mild detergent for general cleanup. More stubborn debris can be removed with denatured alcohol or Clorox Soft Scrub cleaner. Never use abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads on the acrylic.
  • Run the vinegar flush. Follow the five steps above once before the first bath.
  • Only run the pumps with water above the jets. Never turn on the hydro or air systems unless the water level is above the highest jets. Running a pump dry can cause permanent damage. See water level before running the jets.
  • Skip the bath bombs. Bath bombs can clog the jetting systems and are best avoided. Bath oils, fragrances, and salts may be used but are not suggested, since they can mean more frequent cleaning of the tub and its plumbing. Our bath products rules have the full list.
  • Activate your warranty. If your installer has not already done so, complete the activation form described in activate your warranty.

Expect the Auto Purge After Your Bath

Close-up of an Ella walk-in tub interior with the auto purge self-cleaning air jets running
The Auto Purge blows the air lines dry for two minutes after an air massage. It is normal and needs nothing from you.

If your tub has the air massage system, do not be surprised by a whoosh of air a little while after you finish bathing. About 20 minutes after you turn the air massage pump off, the Auto Purge starts automatically and runs for 120 seconds to blow leftover water out of the air lines, which prevents mold and mildew. It cannot be interrupted and it stops on its own. It is completely normal, and it can even start while you are still in the tub. You do not need to do anything, and you do not need to wait for it. Just drain and exit as you normally would. Our Auto-Purge article explains it fully, and how to take a bath, step by step walks through your first soak from filling to draining.

Common Questions

Do I really need to flush the tub before the first bath?
Yes, you do need to flush the pump circulation system once before your first bath in a new walk-in tub. This initial vinegar flush clears out any residue left over from manufacturing, shipping, and installation, ensuring your first soak is fresh and clean. The entire procedure takes about fifteen minutes from start to finish and uses the same recipe as the recommended monthly flush.
How much vinegar do I use, and for how long?
For the initial vinegar flush, you should mix 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water. Fill the tub with water to about one inch above the highest jets, then add the vinegar and water mixture. Run the tub for 10 minutes so the solution circulates through all of the jetted systems, then drain the tub completely.
Do I flush after every bath?
No, you do not need to flush the tub after every bath. The air and hydro systems are fully plumbed, and features like ozone and the Auto Purge system help keep them fresh between baths. You only need to perform the vinegar flush about once a month, or after heavy use of bath salts or oils.
Can I test the jets before the tub is full?
No, you cannot test the jets before the tub is full. You must wait until the water level is above the highest jets before pressing any pump button to activate the hydro or air systems. Running a pump dry, without sufficient water covering the jets, can cause permanent damage to the system that is not covered by the warranty.
The tub came on by itself after my bath. Is something wrong?
No, there is nothing wrong if your tub came on by itself after your bath. This is the Auto Purge system, which automatically starts about 20 minutes after you turn the air massage pump off. It runs for 120 seconds to blow leftover water out of the air lines, preventing mold and mildew. You do not need to do anything; just let it finish.
Specks or flakes came out during the first flush. Is that normal?
Yes, it is completely normal for specks or flakes to come out during the first flush. This is exactly what the initial vinegar flush is designed to do, as it circulates a gentle vinegar solution through every jet and hose to carry out any dust or construction debris. After draining, if the water is not clear, you can run the same flush again. For persistent debris, refer to our article on black flakes or slime from the jets.
Which button does what on my first bath?
One button starts the hydro pump, one cycles the air massage (once for high, twice for medium, three times for low, a fourth press for off), one runs microbubbles if fitted, and one controls the light. Press gently with your palm.
Can I use Epsom salts or bubble bath on the first bath?
Yes, you can use Epsom salts or bubble bath in your walk-in tub once the initial vinegar flush is complete. When using salts, ensure they are fully dissolved before entering the tub. Use bubble bath sparingly, and always rinse the tub thoroughly afterward. However, bath bombs should be avoided as they can clog the jetting systems.

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.

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