How do I clean and maintain my walk-in tub?

To clean a walk-in tub, wipe the acrylic about twice a month with a non-abrasive cleaner, and once a month run the vinegar flush and clear the pump inlet cover. The flush is 2 cups of white vinegar mixed with 2 cups of water, added to a tub filled to 1 inch above the highest jets, run for 10 minutes and then drained, as explained in How Do I Clean the Jet Lines on My Walk-In Tub?. Between flushes, the tub's ozone and Auto Purge features keep the lines fresh on their own.

Before the First Bath

Run the vinegar flush once before the first bath, using the same recipe as the monthly flush. Fill the tub with water until it sits 1 inch above the highest jets, add the 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water, run the tub for 10 minutes and drain completely. The recipe is the same on every Ella model, including microbubble tubs, and it does not call for a particular water temperature.

Twice a Month: The Acrylic Surface

Wipe the tub surface with a non-abrasive cleaner. Dawn dish detergent is an approved cleaner, and a non-abrasive towel protects the finish. Keep bath bombs, oils and beads out of a jetted tub, because they are carried into the jet lines and can damage the pump system. To keep hair away from the drains, a silicone pop-up drain protector from a hardware store is the team's suggestion.

Once a Month: Jet Lines and Pump Inlet Cover

Run the vinegar flush, then clear hair and debris from the pump inlet cover and wipe it with a non-abrasive towel and an approved cleaner. The cover is the suction grate where the hydro pump draws water in, so buildup on it is a common reason for weak jets. What it is and how to check it are in What Is the Pump Inlet Cover on a Walk-In Tub?. You do not need to flush after every bath, because the air and hydro systems are fully plumbed and self clearing. If flakes or slime still appear after a correct flush, repeat the flush.

The Door and the Seal

Wipe the door frame and glass with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and clean the seal with rubbing alcohol. On tubs with the removable stainless door, take the door out from time to time to clean the seal and the tub wall behind it; the steps are in What Is the Stainless Steel Inward-Swing Door on a Walk-In Tub?. Leave the door open whenever the tub is not in use to protect the seal, and never lean on the door or use it to lower yourself into the seat, since the door and seal warranty depends on the alignment staying correct.

What the Tub Does on Its Own

• Ozone sterilization runs whenever the hydro jets are on.
• Auto Purge starts automatically 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off and runs for 120 seconds to blow residual water out of the air lines. It cannot be stopped and is normal even if it begins while you are still in the tub.

If You Have a Soaking Tub

A soaker has no jets, pumps or therapy lines, so there is no monthly vinegar flush and bath salts and oils simply rinse away with the drain. Care comes down to the acrylic, the door seal and the drain, and the comparison is in Soaking Walk-In Tub vs Jetted Tub: Which Is Easier to Maintain?.

Related Guides

• Which cleaners are safe for my walk-in tub, and which chemicals should I avoid?
• Can I use Epsom salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, or oils in my walk-in tub?
• Black Flakes, Brown Slime, or Debris Coming From the Jets: Cleaning Steps That Work

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