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How to clean and maintain your Ella walk-in tub, month by month

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Watch: Cleaning and Maintenance Overview
  2. Before Your First Bath: The Initial Flush
  3. Your Monthly Routine
  4. What the Tub Does on Its Own
  5. A Few Habits That Protect Your Tub
  6. Going Away for a Month or More?
  7. Related Guides
  8. Common Questions

Cleaning and maintaining your Ella walk-in tub month by month is easier than most people expect. The jetted systems are fully plumbed, so you do not need to flush them after every bath. Your routine comes down to three habits: a one-time vinegar flush before your very first bath, a simple monthly flush with 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of water, and regular wipe-downs with a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner. Your tub also helps clean itself, since ozone sanitation runs automatically with the hydro massage and the Auto-Purge feature clears the air lines after each use.

Watch: Cleaning and Maintenance Overview

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.

As the video explains, your tub has several ways of keeping itself clean. Ozone sterilization activates whenever the hydrotherapy jets run, and the three-speed air massage clears its own lines with Auto-Purge after your bath. The video also shows the owner's side: wiping the surface about twice a month with a non-abrasive cleaner, keeping the intake screen clear, skipping bath bombs, and flushing the lines with white vinegar monthly. The rest is a simple routine, covered step by step below. Watch: Walk-In Tub Cleaning and Maintenance Guide with chapters and a full transcript.

Before Your First Bath: The Initial Flush

How To Clean Your Walk-In Tub

The pump circulation system needs to be flushed and drained once before you use the tub for the first time. The video shows the cleanout after installation: fill to about an inch over the highest jets, add white vinegar, run the jets, then drain fully. For the amounts and run time, follow the published cleaning instructions: Watch: How To Clean Your Walk-In Tub with a full transcript.

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

Our first bath checklist adds the door seal, GFCI and drain checks to do at the same time.

Your Monthly Routine

TaskHow oftenWhat to do
Vinegar flushOnce a monthFill 1 inch above the highest jets, add the same 2 cups white vinegar with 2 cups water mixture, run the pumps 10 minutes, then drain. This prevents mineral deposits and calcification.
Pump inlet coverOnce a monthClear away hair and debris, then wipe the cover with a non-abrasive towel and an approved cleaner such as Dawn Dish Detergent.
Surface wipe-downAbout twice a monthWipe the acrylic with a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner from the approved list. Never use abrasive cleansers, they damage the surface.
Intake screen checkRegularlyMake sure the intake screen is free and clear of any debris.
Chrome and glassAfter salt soaks or as neededRinse and wipe the faucet, jets and door trim dry so mineral or salt water does not spot the finish.
Ella walk-in tub hydro pump with its large intake port
The hydro pump draws through the inlet cover in the tub; keeping that cover clear of hair protects the pump.

What the Tub Does on Its Own

  • Ozone sterilization runs automatically whenever the hydro massage jets are on. Ozone is a natural disinfectant that helps keep the water system fresh. It supports your monthly cleaning, it does not replace it. Read more in the ozone sanitation article.
  • Auto-Purge activates on tubs with the three-speed air massage about 20 minutes after the air pump is switched off and blows air through the lines for 120 seconds, clearing out standing water so mold and mildew cannot form. It cannot be interrupted and is normal even if it starts while you are still in the tub.
Ella walk-in tub interior with the Auto-Purge cycle blowing air through the jets
Auto-Purge dries the air lines after every air massage bath.

A Few Habits That Protect Your Tub

  • Keep the door slightly open when the tub is not in use. This protects the door seal from unnecessary compression.
  • Never run the pumps unless water covers all of the jets. Running a pump dry causes permanent damage that is not covered by the warranty.
  • Avoid bath bombs, and use oils and salts sparingly. See our bath additives article for the full rules.
  • Test your GFCI outlet periodically, keep bath water at or below 100.4 F, and keep electrical appliances at least 3 feet away from the tub.
  • If your home has hard water and your faucet has a thermostatic valve, keep an inline filter in the supply lines and clean it periodically, as explained in the hard water and TCV article.

Going Away for a Month or More?

Ella's Bubbles does not publish a formal winterizing procedure. Before an extended absence, drain the tub fully, rinse and dry it, and leave the door open so the seal is not compressed. When you return, run the normal vinegar flush before the first bath; a tub that has sat idle can take a second flush to run clear, which is normal. If the home will go unheated, open a ticket with your model and the situation and the team will advise.

Common Questions

How often do I flush the jets?
You should flush the jets once before your very first bath and then once a month after that. For each flush, fill the tub with water to about 1 inch above the highest jets, add a mixture of 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of water, run the jetted systems for 10 minutes, and then drain the tub completely. Flushing the jetted systems after every bath is not necessary because the systems are fully plumbed.
Can I use bleach for the monthly cleaning?
No, you cannot use bleach for the monthly cleaning of your Ella walk-in tub. Bleach is not on the list of approved cleaners and can cause damage to the acrylic surface over time. A simple mixture of white vinegar and water is effective for cleaning and maintaining your tub.
Hot or cold water for the flush?
The published cleaning instructions for flushing your Ella walk-in tub do not specify a water temperature. Using warm water is acceptable and can help dissolve residue effectively. The most important step is to fill the tub with water to about 1 inch above the highest jets to ensure the cleaning solution circulates through every line of the jetted system.
Black flakes or brown slime came out even after the flush. Now what?
If black flakes or brown slime appear even after the initial flush, you should repeat the vinegar flush two or three times on consecutive days. Remember to clean the pump inlet cover between each flush to remove any accumulated debris. If debris continues to appear after these repeated flushes, please open a support ticket with a photo of what you are seeing for further assistance.
What cleaners are safe on the acrylic?
Dawn dish detergent, the listed tub and tile cleaners, Simple Green, Tilex, Pine-Sol and Clorox Fraganzia products, plus the vinegar and water mix, all with a soft cloth or sponge. No scouring powders, gritty pads or abrasive sponges.
Do I need to wipe the tub after every bath?
Wiping the tub after every bath is not a requirement for your Ella walk-in tub. However, a quick rinse and wipe with a soft cloth can help prevent the buildup of soap film and mineral spotting. This practice is especially beneficial in areas with hard water to maintain the tub's surface.
Why did the tub turn on by itself?
The tub turning on by itself was the Auto-Purge cycle, which activates approximately 20 minutes after you turn off the air massage. This cycle runs for 120 seconds to clear standing water from the air lines, preventing mold and mildew formation. It cannot be interrupted and is a completely normal function of your Ella walk-in tub.
Can I use Epsom salts?
Yes, you can use Epsom salts in your Ella walk-in tub, provided they are fully dissolved. It is ideal to use them for a soak after the jets have finished running. After using Epsom salts, drain the tub immediately and wipe down the chrome fixtures, as salts can cause spotting on the finish. Bath bombs and oils are not recommended for use in jetted tubs.
Does the ozone generator run constantly or only when the jets are on?
It depends on which massage system your tub has. If your tub has hydro massage only, the ozone generator runs continuously whenever the tub has power. If your tub has both hydro and air massage, the ozone generator turns on only when the pump runs, since ozone needs the pump's pressure to move through the tubes.
Is there a tank inside the ozone generator that needs to be refilled?
No, there is no tank inside the ozone generator that needs to be refilled. The ozone generator is not a tank and does not require any replacement or topping off of materials. It functions by pulling ozone directly from the surrounding air to sanitize the water system.
Can I switch off or unplug the ozone generator if I am sensitive to the smell?
The ozone generator has its own power cord and is not hard-wired, so it can be unplugged, and it can also be wired to an on-off switch for the whole tub circuit. Unplugging it is not recommended, since ozone helps prevent growth inside the lines, but it remains an option for anyone who finds the smell bothersome.
Why do I sometimes hear a humming noise coming from my tub?
The humming noise you sometimes hear coming from your tub is normal and originates from the ozone generator. This sound occurs as the unit draws in air to produce ozone, which is part of its process to sanitize the jet lines. It is not an indication of a problem with your Ella walk-in tub.
What should I try first if my walk-in tub door is leaking?
Start by cleaning the door gasket. Soap film, hair or debris on the seal can keep the door from closing tightly, so wipe the gasket clean with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner, then test the door again with the tub filled. If the leak continues after the gasket is clean, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 so the team can look at the next step with you.
Why are black specks coming out of my jets?
Black specks in the water are a sign that the jetted system has not been cleaned regularly and buildup has formed inside the lines. Run the monthly vinegar flush, repeating it on consecutive days if needed, and clean the pump inlet cover between runs. Once the lines are clear, keeping up the monthly flush prevents the specks from returning.
Is it normal for Auto-Purge to spray water out of the air jets?
Auto-Purge is meant to blow air through the air lines to clear out standing water, so it runs on its own about 20 minutes after the air massage is switched off. If the system is actually spraying water after use, that can point to a pressure issue rather than normal operation. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and describe what you are seeing so the team can check it.
Can skipping regular cleaning cause mold in my tub?
Yes. Regular cleaning is what keeps mold from taking hold on the surface and inside the jetted lines, and the tub's Auto-Purge and ozone features support that routine rather than replace it. Stick with the surface wipe-downs, the monthly vinegar flush and the inlet cover cleaning described above, and leave the door slightly open between baths so the tub can dry.

Still need help? Open a support ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the 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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