Let's talk about hot tub etiquette (yes, there is such a thing). Maybe you enjoy the hot tub at your fitness club or your neighbor’s tub, which you get invited to once the cold weather rolls in.
Or you have your own hot tub and want to share a few light, friendly reminders with guests to help them treat your spa setup with care.
Whatever the reason, hot tub etiquette is important. It helps ensure that everyone in the hot tub has a good time and that your suit, or even you yourself, doesn't get damaged by the heat and harsh chemicals.
Yes, it's important not to commit any social faux pas, but it's also important to take care of yourself. So let's answer some questions you might have before your next hot tub experience.
While it's possible to wear any type of bathing suit in a hot tub, putting a little thought into the suit material can increase the life of your suit if you plan to hot tub a lot.
The water quality of hot tubs (especially public hot tubs) is...questionable, at best. Spa water can be even more chlorinated than pool water, and hot water can speed up the normal wear and tear of harsh chemicals.
Durable fabrics and synthetic fabrics like lycra and nylon are a better choice than cotton or anything very absorbent. You can even buy suits made from chlorine-resistant materials, if you plan to make frequent use of hot tub facilities.
Warm water can also speed up bacteria growth, making it imperative that you rinse your suit with cold water after every use, and make sure it is completely dry before putting it away.
It doesn't hurt! Having a separate suit dedicated to hot tub use can extend the life of your other swimsuits and make care easier overall. You may want to opt for a cheaper suit, as it will probably wear out quickly.
Beyond cost, some other things to look for in a dedicated hot tub suit are chlorine-resistant materials or bacteria-resistant treatments, and durable fabrics.
Use this as an opportunity to buy a fun, frilly suit, or a less "sensible" suit, as you won't need it to do anything important like keep everything in place while you're swimming or playing volleyball. Going to a winter resort? Treat yourself to a new hot tub swimsuit!
Yes! This is where the "etiquette" part comes in. You may not know this, but residual detergent in your swimsuit can create excess foam or impact the pH balance of the spa water. This can make for a less-than-optimal experience, both for you and for the other folks in the tub with you (especially if anyone has sensitive skin or a detergent allergy!)
Make sure to always thoroughly rinse your suit with cold water before and after hot tubbing.
If you're short on time, a good rinse with water fresh from the faucet is fine. Make sure to squeeze and massage the suit to squeeze out any detergent residue (on the way in) or chlorine (on the way out.) Don't wring! This will stretch the material and break the fibers, leading to sagging.
Most swimsuit manufacturers recommend rinsing after every use, and washing by hand after every 5 uses. Follow these steps to wash your suit by hand:
You certainly can, but it's good to be aware of the risk of corrosion. Chlorine can turn some jewelry green, or make that jewelry turn your skin green. Not cute! Heat can also wear down fibers used to string necklaces, and of course, there's always the risk that your favorite ring might slip off and go down the drain!
Now that you know how to take care of yourself and your suit in the tub, let's talk about how to make a tub inviting for friends and family! Here's a checklist of things to keep in mind when inviting people over to hot tub:
Even if a host provides towels, it's always good etiquette to bring your own just in case (or in case someone else forgets theirs!) Whether or not you wear a robe will depend on your own comfort level, and the sensibilities of the people you're sharing the tub with. Use your own judgment here - they're your friends!
Keeping your hot tub attire and etiquette on point can make for a more relaxing experience for everyone involved. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing! It's easier to relax when you know everything is squared away, for you and for your guests.
So, to recap: having a dedicated suit is a good idea, always rinse your suit before and after hot tubbing, it's best not to wear jewelry, and if you're hosting, make sure the tub is clean (and hot!) and that everyone knows the rules.
Now get out there and start tubbing! (Winter is a great time for it!)