How Much Baking Soda Should I Put In My Hot Tub to Increase Alkalinity?

Keeping your hot tub’s alkalinity within a safe range is critical to the upkeep of your equipment. But existing mainstream products can pose a health risk to the environment and your body. Luckily, baking soda is a chemical that increases alkalinity organically without sacrificing the health and safety of your family.

But you may be wondering “how much baking soda to raise alkalinity in a hot tub”?

As a rule of thumb, you should use no more than one tablespoon of baking soda per 100 gallons of water to increase your tub’s alkalinity. So for the standard 600-gallon hot tub, you’d only need to use six tablespoons.

This article will explain why alkalinity matters, the science behind baking soda’s alkalinity increasing power, and step-by-step instructions on using baking soda in your tub.

Alkalinity: Why it Matters

Alkalinity measures water’s ability to neutralize acids and bases, maintaining a stable pH level. When this balance is off, it can ruin your hot tub’s look and feel and even damage your skin. For this reason, hot tub and pool owners alike seek out savvy ways to protect their water’s pH.

Baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is naturally alkaline. When added to water, it increases pH and alkalinity, yet has a more substantial effect on alkalinity. Many commercial hot tub products use baking soda as an ingredient. However, you can protect your health and your hot tub by using baking soda without added chemicals.

Using Baking Soda to Boost Your Hot Tub’s Alkalinity

To increase the alkalinity in your hot tub using baking soda, you should:

1. Read the hot tub manual to determine its water holding capacity (don’t guess!)
2. Turn off the hot tub jets
3. Use a water test strip to determine the pH level
4. Add one tablespoon per 100 gallons of water
5. Turn on the hot tub jets to allow circulation for two to four hours
6. Retest the pH levels

If you retest your pH and they are at a safe level (7.2 - 7.8), congratulations, you have restored balance to your hot tub! If not, repeat steps 3-5 until you get a successful result.

Hot tubs are a great addition to your home and can be a fantastic pastime for your family. But finding the right products to keep your tub in top condition can be frustrating. Now, that you know how much baking soda to raise alkalinity in a hot tub, you’re on your way to successful hot tub ownership.

‍