How I Maintain My Eco-Friendly, Natural Hot Tub

When I first started researching getting a hot tub, I was quickly overwhelmed. What do you put under a hot tub? How do you move it? Do you really need all those chemicals? Here’s what I learned along the way and how I made a natural hot tub using second-hand materials.

If you read The Regenerative Garden, you know I have a whole chapter dedicated to the ethics of reducing waste and energy. So, it may come as a surprise that one of the first projects I worked on for my new garden was a hot tub!

With all the energy and chemicals a hot tub requires, I hesitated with the choice. But I knew it would be a game changer for me for me as someone who struggles with chronic pain.

I considered a wood-fired hot tub. As beautiful as they look, it’s not a practical solution for me to use daily to help with the pain associated with my disability.

Instead, I found an older hot tub that needs some TLC but works really well. I’m excited to show you how I installed my hot tub, renovated it, and changed things up to make it as eco-friendly as possible.

Here’s what I’ll be covering today…

• The Hot Tub Before
• Step 1: The Hot Tub Base
• Step 2: The Privacy Wall
• Step 3: Insulating the Hot Tub
• Step 4: Finding the Right Electrical
• Step 5: Outdoor Shower
• Step 6: Hot Tub Cover
• Step 7: The Chemical Dilemma
• Hot Tub Chemical Alternatives
• The Benefits of My Natural Hot Tub
• Hot Tub Water Usage
• My Natural Hot Tub Today
• See More of My New House Updates

The Hot Tub Before

I got my hot tub second-hand off of Facebook Marketplace. It included not only the hot tub, but also the surrounding privacy gazebo and an outdoor shower. The previous owner was a man who worked in the film industry as a carpenter, so everything was made from recycled materials, which I assume came from the leftovers from set.

Moving a hot tub wasn’t easy. I paid specialty movers to move it from his house to mine, which ended up costing just as much as the hot tub itself.

I moved everything to my place, and now I am repurposing and rebuilding instead of sending all these materials to the landfill.

The best part is that I had instant privacy and a backdrop. Since then, I’ve made some upgrades and repairs and added my own touch.

Step 1: The Hot Tub Base

My first task was to prepare the base before the hot tub arrived. Previously, the area had an old shed that I removed and recycled.

I dug into the soil, making it as even as possible. I set down a layer of landscape fabric and then a layer of crush gravel about 3 inches deep. This will provide some drainage for any water that splashes out.

On top of the crush layer, I added some 2 ft. x 2 ft. cement paving slabs that I bought at the hardware store.

I considered pouring concrete, but I wanted to ensure there was drainage, and the paving stones would provide a really stable base.

Step 2: The Privacy Wall

Next to the base, I set up some concrete footers that would hold the privacy wall posts. Rather than dig a footer into the ground, I bought these holders that can fit a 4×4 post right in it. This means the screen isn’t set directly in the ground and can be moved if I wish.

The posts are pressure treated lumber and the walls are cedar, treated with Shou Sugi Ban. This is a Japanese wood burning technique where the wood isn’t stained but burned and then coated with a natural oil.

This helps to preserve the wood, making it resistant to sunlight and water. If you touch it, you can get the char on your hands, but it really creates a beautiful charcoal finish that highlights the wood grain.

The roof is open above the hot tub and has decorative beams, which are also pressure-treated and recycled.

Step 3: Insulating the Hot Tub

Since my hot tub is second-hand, I had to do some work on the insulation inside the panels. Once I opened the panels, I noticed lots of animal damage. Critters had gone inside to nest and nibble.

We removed any old, bad insulation and replaced it with hard foam. This spray foam is resistant to mice, rats, and other rodents who might sneak in. When you spray it, it expands and hardens and should be long-lasting.

Overall, this will improve the hot tub’s energy efficiency, allowing it to retain heat better and use fewer resources.

Step 4: Finding the Right Electrical

When looking for an eco-friendly hot tub, I had to ask what power source I would need. I could go with a 110V or a 220 V hot tub.

110V hot tubs are considered plug-and-play. They don’t require any kind of special outlet. They tend to be lighter hot tubs and can have both jets and heat…but you can’t use them at the same time. You still need to ensure there is enough power for this kind of hot tub and that it has its own breaker.

220V hot tubs are heavier to move and require special hot tub movers. 220V requires a special outlet, which fridges, ovens, and washing machines also use. They’re more efficient in the long run, despite their initial challenges.

I had an electrician come over and install a special outlet for my hot tub. With a 220V, I don’t have to worry about putting everything at max power to do everything.

I will say that I did have to move my hot tub later after the movers had come and gone, and it took three people to move it 90 degrees. It was really difficult, and we ended up prying it up with a piece of wood and putting metal bars underneath to swing it into position.

Step 5: Outdoor Shower

When I bought the outdoor shower, it also came with an outdoor shower. I put this beside the hot tub, adding a French drain underneath and digging down so it could properly drain.

It is a propane shower, and it was all built into what I had purchased. Unfortunately, the pipe had burst and I needed new pipes to make the shower work at my house.

I’m going to make an entire post about my outdoor shower, but let me just say, I use it ALL the time. I’ve already gone an entire week not using my shower inside since I’m using my outdoor shower so much.

Step 6: Hot Tub Cover

The hot tub cover that came with the hot tub was no longer good. Which is to be expected! They last for around five years.

Mine was filled with water, so I recycled it and got a new one.

I also put in a bar lifter. It allows me to fold half and then use the bar to lift the cover onto the bench I have behind the hot tub. This makes it super easy to lift and use even when I’m in pain and my mobility is restricted.

Step 7: The Chemical Dilemma

As I mentioned, I was a little hesitant about the chemicals I would need to use for my natural hot tub. So, I did a lot of research before deciding what to do with my hot tub.

I’ll start off by saying that I am not an expert, and this is just what has worked for me. I have not had my water tested.

I use very little chemicals for my natural hot tub. I start off by filling my hot tub with an RV water filter attached to the hose. I fill it over the hot tub filter, so there are no heavy metals in my hot tub water. The cleaner the water that goes in, the better.

I clean my hot tub filter very often. To do this, I just remove it and hose it down. You also should replace your hot tub filter every year.

I also do my best to prevent any additional bacteria from getting in. Every time someone comes into the hot tub, they use the outdoor shower. I also shock it after people who don’t belong to my household have been in it.

Hot Tub Chemical Alternatives

For my bacteria cleaner, I opted for bromine instead of chlorine. Here are some other non-chlorine hot tub options I considered but didn’t go with:

• Salt water also sounded good, but they were quite expensive. I also found that the salt turns into chlorine in the water anyway so it would do the same thing as just putting in chlorine.
• Ionizers neutralize the bacteria and sterilize it, but they also add more heavy metals to the water. These metals can be absorbed through the skin and can also affect other parts of the hot tub.
• UV lighting can sterilize the bacteria in the plumbing so it can’t grow. However, you still need some chlorine or bromine to get rid of the pathogenic bacteria that still exists. I might install this down the road, but right now, I’m doing okay!

I also need to increase the pH of the water. To do this, I sprinkle in baking soda. This is exactly what I do with my bath bombs when I have a bath!

Overall, that’s all I have added to my water: bromine and baking soda. By showering and cleaning the filter often, my water is crystal clear and beautiful.

The whole process has reminded me of soap making, and I approach it with the same process. I ask  myself, how can I make it as natural as possible, test it out, and see how my skin reacts.

The Benefits of My Natural Hot Tub

A little while back, I hurt my back. To help alleviate the pain, I soaked in my hot tub twice a day. It was precisely why I wanted to include a hot tub in my backyard design, as I knew I would need to rely on it during times like these.

While I initially struggled with the idea of the hot tub due to its energy and chemical requirements, I’ve already proven to myself how great of a choice it has been, especially since it’s second-hand and gets so much use.

The pain relief is giving me back my life, so it’s worth every penny for someone with chronic pain.

My dermatologist said it was bad for my skin and my rosacea, but I said I don’t care since I’ve seen such an improvement in my pain and mobility.

Not long ago, I got sick. I did circuits in the hot tub, spending 15 minutes in the heat, then an ice-cold shower, followed by ten minutes of rest. Then, I would repeat it, doing it a total of three times.

Afterward, I felt like a million bucks. Yes, I was still showing sick symptoms, but I could still go about my day this way.

Hot Tub Water Usage

My other concern was the water usage. Yes, this is a 1,000-litre hot tub and it does consume quite a bit of water.

But in the end, I’m actually reducing my water usage. Normally, I will take baths to combat my chronic pain. With the average bath consuming about 94.6 litres, it would take me 11 dips in the hot tub to already be saving water.

And considering I go in every day, sometimes twice a day, it’s making a big difference!

My Natural Hot Tub Today

As you can see, I’ve made my natural hot tub one of the most relaxing spaces in my home. The walls give me all the privacy I need, and I’ve decorated them with shelves to feel extra homey.

I added in some fun lights for ambience, which are all controlled with a remote. I love using all kinds of colours at night, and it instantly sets the mood.

Next to my hot tub is my patio, which you can see more of here. All together, I have one large entertaining space, and I can easily lounge and cool off when I’m done in the hot tub.

I’m just at the start of my eco-friendly hot tub journey, and I’m always trying to improve and tweak as I go. If you have any ideas or suggestions for me, leave them in the comments below!

See More of My New House Updates

• From Lawn to Urban Meadow: My Alternative Lawn Guide
• Design and Plant a Front Yard Bulb Garden and Lawn
• DIY Affordable Cedar Swing Gate Design for a Backyard Driveway
• Moving Plants: How to Move a Garden to a New Home
• 10 Apartment Décor Ideas to Make a Plain Space Feel Like Home