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Anyone who has ever owned a hot tub knows the benefits they provide: stress relief, relaxation, healing, and pain relief are only a couple of pros involved with spa treatment. But tub-ownership requires a small level of responsibility. Although they don't require much effort, spas that don't receive simple maintenance can break or become unusable. If you have a hot tub, then you have a hot tub cover. Covers are essential to the success of your spa and cover-maintenance ensures that your tub will last for many years. Repair/replacement is a very luxurious expenditure, and it's easily avoidable, which is why hot tub cover care should be a priority. Like the name states, spa covers protect the water when it is not in use. They keep dirt, grime and critters out of the water - besides being disgusting, outside impurities can cause health problems and illnesses. Spa covers also act as important safety measures; any home with children must always keep their spas covered (and locked) to prevent accidental drowning. Hot tub covers also retain heat while the spa's not in use. Heating a spa can be expensive and, with the rising cost of energy, you don't want to see any more increase in your heating bill. The sun's rays are also harmful to the shell, so it's important to protect that as well. Cover care is not difficult. In fact, most of the maintenance involves things you shouldn't do as preventative measures. For example, it is very important to not use products that contain petroleum, waxes, silicone, abrasives or alcohol while hot tub cleaning them - doing so will damage or destroy your cover. Instead, a protective product that's designated for vinyl - products that are treated with ultra-violet inhibitors will prevent any sun-damage to the outer vinyl. 303 Aerospace Protectant is one of the most popular products among hot tub owners. For actual cleaning, simply use water with a mild soap. If you use a detergent, make sure that it's appropriate and will not damage marine vinyl. Sitting in a spa during a winter night can be very romantic, but tub-owners that live in snowy climates need to take extra precautions in protecting their investment. Snow must be cleared immediately; extra weight will damage the cover and make it bend inward. Also, do not use a snow shovel when clearing snow off - the sharp edges of a shovel can puncture the foam core, making it useless against weather elements. Occasional extra care is required to stop a cover from molding. Over time, it can become waterlogged and heavy which, on one hand, is good for insulation. If a cover becomes too waterlogged, however, it will become moldy. Mold can compromise the integrity of the polystyrene, making it less insulated. To combat this mold, unzip the cover to let the foam evaporate; this should be done every three months that the spa is not being used. It is also recommended to stand your cover on its side at least once a month. This drains the excess moisture and preserves the foam core.
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