Do you clean the whirlpool tub before using?

[Dina]

...and if so, how?

I've read about this on a couple of threads-- just wondering if its something I should do? My husband will be running the marathon that weekend, and I have a feeling he'll want to use the whirlpool later on in the week.

Thanks!

[salmoneous]

Just my thoughts:

1) There are germs everywhere
2) Whirlpool tubs are especially germy - there's some water that stays in the plubming
3) Tons of people use whirlpool tubs - and there aren't massive outbreaks of people getting sick from it.
4) From a health standpoint, I don't think it necessary. But if you are a gerb phobe (not that that's a bad thing) or just don't want to think about it, cleaning the tub is a good idea.

Easiest way to clean the tub is to fill tub enough to get the jets working, dump a small amount of laundry bleach into tub, and run the jets on full. If you took the "small amount" seriously, you can go ahead and use the tub as is (basically, you've just added chlorine to the water, the same as with a public hot tub) but if you aren't in a hurry you can then drain the tub and start over.

[Dina]

Thanks so much! That seems easy enough! I'll probably do it since I have two little ones who would be taking their baths in the tub (even though the jets won't be running). Thanks again!

[Deb & Bill]

We don't clean it before we use it.

[Nanajo1]

We just got a new whirlpool tub. The manufacturer instructed filling the tub, adding dishwasher detergent (powdered) and running the jets before the first use. You could use the dishwasher soap in the villa.

[rocketriter]

We run hot water with dishwasher detergent (not hand dishwashing detergent, which would foam too much), drain it, then run a second cycle with plain hot water. If it's clean enough to eat off, it's clean enough to soak in.

[Ksp]

I've used the dish soap (literally, just a drop or two) to clean out the jets, then drain the tub/rinse the sides if there were any soap residue. Then I refill the tub and enjoy :cool1: :cool1:

[bcsmom]

I would definitely suggest cleaning it first. We stayed at the BCV in Sept, & my mom wanted to use the whirlpool. Well good thing she did not get in before turning it on, because all kinds of slim came out of the jets. This could have been a freak thing, but it was still icky.

[Deb & Bill]

Dilution is the solution to pollution. Fill up the tub and the yucky stuff will not be that bad, not as bad as toe jam and belly button lint. You are soaking in your own filth anyway. :rolleyes1

[Dina]

Dilution is the solution to pollution. Fill up the tub and the yucky stuff will not be that bad, not as bad as toe jam and belly button lint. You are soaking in your own filth anyway.

That's gross :lmao:

Thanks everyone! I think I will do the dish detergent!

[Glorydaz]

after reading previous threads before my May visit, I used a small amount of bleach and cleaned the tub before I soaked. Maybe it made a difference, maybe not but I felt much better! I've read that some people actually wash the sheets and towels ( thank goodness for the washer/dryer ) before using them. I've never gone that far but.......

[DonnaL]

No I don't go as far as washing the towels and sheets, but, the jetted tub.....yes do clean it. We have a hot tub at home and that last time we had to have it serviced, the man from the spa company and I were talking. The subject of resort jetted tubs came up and he told me a horror story. He said as a spa repairman he should have know better, but, he and his wife were on vacation and the room had a jetted tub. His back had been a little sore from a lot of walking and he decided to soak in the tub with the jets running for awhile. A day or so later they returned from vacation.....the next day he noticed a rash developing on torso....by the next day it had spread to his upper legs. He went to the doctor and it turned out he had a surface staph infection. The first thing the doctor asked him was had he been in any public hot tubs or jetted tubs on vacation. He told me the tubing that carries the water to the jets does not EVER completely empty out after draining unless forced out with suction. He knew this as a repairman, but, never gave it much thought until he got a staph infection himself. Therefore, when you fill a jetted tub up after someone else has used it and do not sanitize it first you are literally taking a bath with the not only the person who used it before you but any number of people who previously used it. By using a cup or two of Clorox and running it through the jets before using you are completely sanitizing the unit's tubing and any water left in there. After I heard that story I swore I would never use a jetted tub w/o sanitizing it first.

[DisDaydreamer]

Dilution is the solution to pollution. Fill up the tub and the yucky stuff will not be that bad, not as bad as toe jam and belly button lint. You are soaking in your own filth anyway. :rolleyes1

:thumbsup2 Exactly... you can't maintain resistance if you don't maintain exposure. :teeth:

[Ksp]

Ok, you sold me -- time to switch from just some dish soap through the jets to using some bleach to clean out the jets. Just thinking about the staff infection is giving me the heebie jeebies ! :scared1:

[DisDaydreamer]

Ok, you sold me -- time to switch from just some dish soap through the jets to using some bleach to clean out the jets. Just thinking about the staff infection is giving me the heebie jeebies ! :scared1:

So, when you go to the Doctor's office... do you wipe down the surfaces you might come in contact with? Staff infections are notoriously received in clinical settings!

Bottom line is... rinse it out... don't get anal about the possibilites. Germs are everywhere (and basically you are immune to most). Your major concern should be school, work, and the hospital. Rinse it out! Then have a relaxing time. :thumbsup2

[kimberh]

Well, I have just become convinced. I will carry bleach this thursday. I know in my own whirlpool tub I can feel cold water when the jets first come on. Thanks for sharing.

[Cruelladeville]

Be careful how much bleach you use. A little is good, a lot isn't. I came back from Florida Saturday with a rash on my legs from the bleach. I used a cup, and that was too much! The clorine in the pool only made things worse. It's better now that I'm home, but it still itches. :bitelip:

[fishermouse]

Candle lights, a little wine, some bubbles and you won't have any idea what's floating in the water. If getting clean is goal take a shower. Do we really think no one is peeing in the pools and hot tubs? :sad2:

[jdg345]

Candle lights, a little wine, some bubbles and you won't have any idea what's floating in the water. If getting clean is goal take a shower. Do we really think no one is peeing in the pools and hot tubs? :sad2:

I don't know about you, but I certainly am! :thumbsup2

[Laneychris]

We clean our tub at home with bleach, there is no way I would take a bath in a hotel tub without cleaning it first.

[Dina]

Candle lights, a little wine, some bubbles and you won't have any idea what's floating in the water. If getting clean is goal take a shower. Do we really think no one is peeing in the pools and hot tubs? :sad2:

Ummm, big difference--pools and hot tubs have clorine :rolleyes1

[Longhairbear]

We also run the tub with dishwasher powder before using. Some pretty gross stuff came out in one of them.

[DISNEY FIX]

Is powder or liquid dishwaser detergent better? Any experiences?
TIA

[Nanajo1]

The powder is better. It should be dishwasher soap not regular dishwashing soap like Dawn. We use the dishwasher soap we find in the villas.

[Luckymommyx2]

As soon as we move into our villa DH rushes to the whirlpool to start cleaning it while I unpack. It's just a routine we've gotten used to.

[culli]

Ok so.........

Will the dishwasher soap work or do you have to get bleach? I'm not overly concerned about it but if just running some dishwashing soap or a small amount of bleach thru the system does any good.....why not?

[K9pal]

Just a bit off topic, but one of my favorite things to do is get one of the bath bombs at The Basin (don't forget the DVC discount ;) ) to use in the whirlpool. After a long day at the parks ... heavenly!! :cloud9:

[murcor]

A bottle of bleach is always on our grocery order from wegoshop. The tub is filled with hot water and bleach and turned on for 20 minutes.

Drain, fill with hot water, turn on. Do this twice

Yup....Im scared of all the little germies :scared1:

[JerJan]

HMMMMM..... All this time I just thought that was a "GIANT HAMPER without a LID!!!!" :confused3 That's what I use it for! :lmao:

[Anal Annie]

:rotfl2: What a coincidence - this is funny - I just saw a commercial today for a new episode of 'Earl' where Joy is in a hot tub outside in the yard by the trailer and her big toe is all puffed up & swollen & she didn't realize it must be infected until the Crab Man says something about it. It looked hysterical!!:lmao: (I couldn't tell if she got the infected toe from the hot tub or what...but it was just funny to see and reminded me of this thread.)

[TOM&LORIE]

Stagnant water can breed bacteria. Working in a hospital and specifically in aqua therapy ("whirlpool room"), we are responsible for culturing the tanks and the jets. When properly cleaned, the tanks culture no harmful bugs. However, when the lines were not drained and the water allowed to stagnate, it cultured multiple bugs including Staph. We did this as a quality assurance study and a way to show future employees the need to first properly clean the tank and then to drain the lines. The whirlpools at Disney are not clinical units and the lines are unable to be drained. Sooooooooooooo the water will stagnate and I imagine harbor bugs. It is not a great public health concern BUT I would rather not have the previous DVCers "Stuff" swirling around my whirlpool. A concentration of bleach will easily clean the jets and make me feel much better. Take it for what it's worth ...

[LoveToDisney]

Okay, how much of the dishwasher detergent? Do you use the whole package (small one-use size in the villas)? How long do you let it run?

If using bleach, exactly how much bleach?

[TOM&LORIE]

Okay, how much of the dishwasher detergent? Do you use the whole package (small one-use size in the villas)? How long do you let it run?

If using bleach, exactly how much bleach?

Fill with hot water just above the jets and the intake. Add 1/2 cup bleach and run 15 minutes. Drain. Rinse with hot water. It will be good for your stay. If anything visible comes out ... do it twice ... or three times ... or ask for a different room!!!

[natnelliesmom]

I am very glad I found this thread! I never really thought about this subject. We don't have a jacuzzi tub at home.
We will be staying in a 1-bedroom for the first time this next trip- and I will definitely be bleaching out the jets! I'll be adding bleach to my Grocery delivery!
Thanks for the tips! It's nice to know my fellow Dis-ers have our health in mind!
:thumbsup2
-Sarah

[dzorn]

Dilution is the solution to pollution. Fill up the tub and the yucky stuff will not be that bad, not as bad as toe jam and belly button lint. You are soaking in your own filth anyway. :rolleyes1

Thanks for making us all feel better.:rotfl:

Denise in MI

[Blahnde]

Part of the reason that people recommend using the dishwasher detergent is because it is more easily transported AND most brands contain bleach/chlorine. If you want to bring/buy liquid bleach that obviously works, but there are other things (like dishwasher detergent or low-sudsing laundry detergent!) that also contain bleach and will work as well, if not better.

Blahnde

[LoveToDisney]

Part of the reason that people recommend using the dishwasher detergent is because it is more easily transported AND most brands contain bleach/chlorine. If you want to bring/buy liquid bleach that obviously works, but there are other things (like dishwasher detergent or low-sudsing laundry detergent!) that also contain bleach and will work as well, if not better.

BlahndeThanks. So how much do you use? The whole small package (basically for one load of dishes)?

[Blahnde]

Thanks. So how much do you use? The whole small package (basically for one load of dishes)?

I would use about 1/2 of the package, and part of the reason for that is that I do it twice. I fill up to above the jets, add 1/2 the package, and then let "bubble" for 10-15 minutes. Then I drain, rinse, and repeat. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but I just want more than one shot at getting it clean!

And I usually bring my own from home, but have used the detergent provided when I forgot!

Blahnde

[LoveToDisney]

I would use about 1/2 of the package, and part of the reason for that is that I do it twice. I fill up to above the jets, add 1/2 the package, and then let "bubble" for 10-15 minutes. Then I drain, rinse, and repeat. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but I just want more than one shot at getting it clean!

And I usually bring my own from home, but have used the detergent provided when I forgot!

BlahndeThanks very much!

[kid-at-heart]

We run hot water with dishwasher detergent (not hand dishwashing detergent, which would foam too much), drain it, then run a second cycle with plain hot water. If it's clean enough to eat off, it's clean enough to soak in.

I like your idea. Thanks!

[TOM&LORIE]

The powder cleaners I thought were not recommended due to acid ... Here is another person that says the same thing. It comes from www.thehomeknowitall.com. It says:


"... a combination of dishwasher liquid such as Cascade and bleach—just make sure it's dishwasher liquid, not the granular kind, because the acid in the powdered stuff can eat away at brass parts in your jets). After you add the cleaning agent, run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes with the air controls open. Then drain, refill with cold water, and run for another 10 minutes or so to rinse any residue out before drying your tub thoroughly."


According to the CDC and most state Extention offices ... Bleach will kill any critter residing in the kitchen and bathroom.

I am also motivated by the fact I really don't want the BWVs MF to go up because there is a rash of Whirlpool tubs going bad. They are high enough anyway!

[jdg345]

The powder cleaners I thought were not recommended due to acid ... Here is another person that says the same thing. It comes from www.thehomeknowitall.com. It says:


"... a combination of dishwasher liquid such as Cascade and bleach—just make sure it's dishwasher liquid, not the granular kind, because the acid in the powdered stuff can eat away at brass parts in your jets). After you add the cleaning agent, run the whirlpool for 10 to 15 minutes with the air controls open. Then drain, refill with cold water, and run for another 10 minutes or so to rinse any residue out before drying your tub thoroughly."


According to the CDC and most state Extention offices ... Bleach will kill any critter residing in the kitchen and bathroom.

I am also motivated by the fact I really don't want the BWVs MF to go up because there is a rash of Whirlpool tubs going bad. They are high enough anyway!

I thought the Bleach ate up the other fittings and hoses?

[TOM&LORIE]

Bleach in high concentration will affect fittings negatively BUT not in a concentration here. 1/2 cup would allow a chlorine concentration that would act as a crittercide. If you want to add more you can but it is not necessary.

[Blahnde]

The powder cleaners I thought were not recommended due to acid ... Here is another person that says the same thing. It comes from www.thehomeknowitall.com. It says: "... a combination of dishwasher liquid such as Cascade and bleach—just make sure it's dishwasher liquid, not the granular kind, because the acid in the powdered stuff can eat away at brass parts in your jets).

I'm not a chemist (and I do not want my dues going any higher either!), but what I do know is that if you mix bleach and ammonia you get toxic gas. So I never mix bleach with something else (Cascade liquid or powder???) if I do not know whether it contains ammonia. So I decided to see what was in Cascade.

I looked up what is in Cascade powder v. liquid at the manufacturer's site using their MSDS's. The powder contains Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Silicate, and Sodium Percarbonate, while the liquid contains Boric Acid and Sodium Tripolyphosphate. I looked them up and Sodium Carbonate is also know as "Soda Ash" and it softens the water so the detergent works better; remember those old Calgon commercials? It is also widely used for cleaning tarnished metals (like brass and silver) so I cannot see that being a problem ingredient. The Sodium Silicate is also called "Water Glass" and is used to fuse metals and is a common ingredient in glue or cement. Again, since it is used to glue metal I do not see how it could be corrosive to metal. And the Sodium Percarbonate is the "oxidized bleaching" compound found in products like OxyClean. It reacts with water to create hydrogen peroxide which then "bleaches" your clothes, and soduim carbonate which softens the water, again. As for the liquid ingredients Boric Acid is, well, acid; enough said. And Sodium Tripolyphosphate is the sodium salt of triphosphate acid.

Based upon all this is sounds like the Boric Acid and triphosphate acid in the LIQUID would be what would cause more harm than any of the powder ingredients. But, again, I am not a chemist!

Obviously bleach works, and if you are worried about hurting the pipes, then just use that. But it seems to me that the pipes in the dishwasher and clothes washers might also be brass. I think that it would really be a problem for the makers of dishwasher detergent or laundry detergent to design products that would significantly damage our machines.

Blahnde

[TOM&LORIE]

My liquid dishwasher detergent (not Cascade) contains Bleach ... additional bleach would simply raise the chlorine concentration. The CDC is not recommending liquid dishwasher detergent as a disinfectant ... the levels of free chlorine would not be enough to kill the critters. I will also say that doing anything is much better than doing nothing.

[jdg345]

My liquid dishwasher detergent (not Cascade) contains Bleach ... additional bleach would simply raise the chlorine concentration. The CDC is not recommending liquid dishwasher detergent as a disinfectant ... the levels of free chlorine would not be enough to kill the critters. I will also say that doing anything is much better than doing nothing.

Do they recommend powdered dishwashing detergent as a disinfectant?

And do they sell Bleach at the resorts?

[Dina]

I actually started this thread 2 years ago before our trip in a 2 bedroom, now I'm trying to think what we actually used. I think we ended up just putting a tablespoon of bleach (not much), and ran the thing, and then filled the tub and refilled it to rinse it out. My mom and dad drove and brought the bleach, but my mom (who has a whirlpool tub at home) also said we could have just used some of the dishwasher liquid.

[Cruelladeville]

Bleach is actually quite strong, so a small amount goes a long way. The health dept. recommends a 1/2 cup of bleach should be thrown down your well pit every month if you have a rural well for your water. But soap kills 99% of all germs, even HIV--isn't anyone here required to see the "blood and guts" video on germs and blood every year as a condition of their employment??? Maybe it's a "teacher thing".:rolleyes:

[DisneyCowgirl]

I hvae not read every post in this now 4-page thread, but I will say that I clean out my own jetted tub at my own house by dumping some bleach in the water and running it through for a few minutes. And at home, it is only me or my 2yo using the tub, so I would definitely do that in a resort tub! It's different from the hot tub by the pool that has chlorine and whatever other chemicals running through it all the time. At the very least, I would be concerned that some mold or mildew would be up in the pipes if it had been sitting usused for a while.

This is coming from someone who is not afraid at all of germs. I let my 5-month-old crawl around on the airport floor when we went on our first trip to WDW, and that's pretty nasty! He's still healthy more than two years later!

[allicat]

When we stayed at OKW we ran the tub for our daughter and brown water came out along with hair and other disgusting stuff.:eek: My daughter was beyond repulsed and wouldnt even entertain the thought of the hot tub that trip, even when we switched resorts. It was very unpleasant.

[DeeCee735]

I am the only one that absolutely must get into a whirlpool bath during vacation, and no I don't clean the tub. I'll rinse it by running the water and using a cup to rinse around the top where the running water doesn't reach, but that's it.

I love taking a whirlpool bath first thing in the morning when everyone is still sleeping - it's a great way to start the day. I also love taking a bath before going to dinner, between the park touring and the more relaxing evening.