Unwinding in your hot tub is an experience for your senses. You see and hear the softly bubbling water, which encourages you to lean back and relax in its restorative embrace; you feel the massaging action of the jets against your skin as your muscles gradually let go of their accumulated tension. There’s one more sense you can activate to immerse yourself even deeper into this tranquil escape: your sense of smell. By incorporating the benefits of aromatherapy—soothing scents with possible therapeutic effects—into your daily soak, you can add another sensory dimension to your hot tub experience.
Proceed with care, however. You don’t want to trade the stress relief that comes from a relaxing and aromatic soak in a hot tub for the stress that comes from having your spa components damaged by improperly-used essential oils. Using aromatherapy in your hot tub requires certain considerations—but if you use the correct products, it’s even easier than you might think.
CAN YOU USE ESSENTIAL OILS IN A HOT TUB?
While using your spa as a ready-to-go oil warmer and diffuser might sound like a good idea, hot tubs aren’t designed to circulate and filter thick substances like oils. Before you drop scented essential oils into the water, consider the possible risks to your spa—and to your wallet, after you find yourself paying for hot tub repairs and replacement parts.
Considerations for How to Use Aromatherapy in Your Hot Tub
-Today’s best spa water care systems keep your water constantly fresh and clean without needing to be changed more than once every few months. However, adding oils or other substances that filters aren’t designed to remove will lead to buildup and other problems over time. A good rule of thumb: If a product isn’t specifically designated for use in a hot tub, don’t add it to your water.
-Apart from the risks they present to your hot tub components, not all essential oils are safe for direct contact with your skin. Homemade hot tub aromatherapy is never a wise choice. It’s a good idea to choose an aromatherapy method that’s free from potential negative side effects.
-Follow the guidelines for maintenance of your hot tub water system to keep your water clean and clear—both for the resilience and long life of your tub and to avoid cleaning and changing the water more often than necessary.
