Winterize a hot tub only if it will sit unused through freezing weather. Then you drain it, blow the water out of every line, add propylene glycol antifreeze, and seal the cover.
If you will be home, keep it running instead. Hot Spring says it’s best to keep your hot tub constantly running and filled with hot water that you test and treat according to your usual schedule. Hot Spring also says it’s simpler to keep your spa operating as usual if you plan on spending up to two consecutive weeks away from home.
Hot Spring’s owner’s manual says that if you leave the spa unused for a long period of time in severely cold weather, you should drain the spa and winterize it to avoid accidental freezing due to a power or equipment failure. It also warns that failure to follow its instructions can lead to freeze damage not covered by warranty, and that it is strongly recommended that you contact your local dealer to perform this service. Its winterizing guide adds: if you have any doubts about your ability to manage this on your own, hire a professional to do it for you. The steps below are Hot Spring’s; your own manual controls the details for your model.
What you need
- A garden hose for the drain valve.
- A wet/dry shop vac that can blow as well as vacuum. Hot Spring specifies a 5 gallon (20 liter) combination (vacuum/blower) unit for climates that fall below 32°F (0°C).
- Propylene glycol antifreeze, a long-extension funnel, towels, two sheets of plywood and a tarp.
DANGER: Use only propylene glycol as your anti-freeze. Hot Spring says never use an automobile anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) since it is toxic.
Step by step
- Cut the power. Disconnect the spa from the power supply by tripping both of the GFCI breakers in the subpanel (Hot Spring).
- Drain it. Attach the hose to the main drain valve and let it drain. Route the water away from the lawn: Hot Spring says spa water with a high sanitizer level may harm plants and grass. Then open the secondary drain, which on Hot Spring models releases the remaining water (about one gallon) from the bleedline system. The full drain sequence is in how to drain and refill a hot tub.
- Take out the filters. Remove the filter cartridges, clean and store in a dry place. Cleaning steps are in hot tub filter cleaning.
- Blow out the lines. With the shop vac on blow, put the hose in a filter opening, cover the next opening with a rag, and blow out any water remaining in the plumbing lines (approximately 3 to 5 minutes). Repeat for each jet system.
- Vacuum every opening. Switch the vac to suction and work through the jets from the top down, the filter compartment, the main drain and the secondary drain.
- Dry the shell and refit the drain caps.
- Add antifreeze. Using a long-extension funnel, pour anti-freeze into all standpipes, filter suction fittings and jet orifices.
- Seal it up. Close the cover and fasten the tie-downs, then cover with two pieces of plywood to evenly distribute the weight of snow and ice, and tie a tarp over the top. Hot Spring says to always keep the spa covered when not in use, whether it is empty or full.
Opening it again in spring
- Remove the plywood and tarp, open the drain to let the antifreeze out, and close it.
- Refill without the filters. Hot Spring says not to install filters so they are not exposed to the antifreeze, and that it is NOT recommended to refill your spa when the ambient temperature goes below 50° F (10° C).
- Superchlorinate to destroy the antifreeze. Hot Spring’s dose is three teaspoons of chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 250 gallons (950 liters) of spa water. This is twice the normal amount of chlorine needed for superchlorination. See how to shock a hot tub for handling.
- Drain your spa to ensure removal of anti-freeze, keeping the high-chlorine water off grass and plants.
- Refill, refit the clean filters, and start up as normal.
Running the tub through winter instead? Read hot tub water care in winter and the hot tub and spa care guide. Have an inflatable tub? Read can you use an inflatable hot tub in winter.
Sources
- Hot Spring Spas: Highlife Collection 2025 Owner’s Manual
- Hot Spring Spas: How to Winterize Your Hot Tub
Research checked 2026-10-12.
