Christina Mantoura, Author at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company

Our top tips for rejuvenating your home sauna

Posted on 15 March 2017 - 23:00 by Christina Mantoura

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If you’ve had your home sauna for a while, it might be time to think about rejuvenating it. Giving it a good clean and following our top tips can help your sauna to be good as new, and mean that you can get years more use by keeping it properly maintained. It also means it’s much more enjoyable to use since you know it’s in top condition all the time. Here are our top tips if you’re not sure where to start:

Maintain the natural elements

You might think that the natural elements of your sauna, like the natural wood, would degrade over time. However tempting it might be to paint or varnish over it, it’s much better to leave it natural! It will maintain the quality of the wood much more, and the original design will provide the best possible finish. Instead of painting or varnishing, the best thing to do to revitalise your original sauna wood is to lightly sand it down, particularly on the benches where there has been the most use and wear over time.

Regular cleaning processes

Regular cleaning after day-to-day use can help to extend the life of your sauna. This doesn’t mean a huge effort or difficult maintenance – in fact, simply giving the surfaces within the sauna a brush with cold water after each use could make a world of difference. Just a couple of minutes to clean your sauna after use makes it much nicer and more hygienic for yourself and your friends and family to use each time.

Spot checks for longer life

Your sauna may be in the best possible condition, so spot checking it can be useful to ensure that this high quality remains. For example staining of the wood can happen from use, and mould can occur if not dried out properly. This is easily solved by leaving the door open to aerate after use, and using a brush and warm water to remove any stains easily. Floors will be walked on all the time so simply mopping them, and cleaning glass as you would any other glass, can keep your sauna in pristine condition.

Sauna care kept simple

A few simple things like the above can make a huge difference to the time that your sauna remains in a condition that is almost as good as new. This means that sauna owners can enjoy their saunas completely stress-free.

For further sauna maintenance tips or advice, get in touch with The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company today on 0208 300 4003.

How can proper aftercare increase the lifetime of your hot tub?

Posted on 13 March 2017 - 23:00 by Christina Mantoura

After the initial set up, maintaining water quality is straightforward and allows you to enjoy a consistently brilliant experience whilst getting the best value out of your tub and protecting your investment for years to come. If you own one of our Hydropool Self Cleaning hot tubs, this is even simpler as the hot tub takes care of the cleaning for you, but for other hot tubs, here are our aftercare tips to help you achieve the best value out of your hot tub.

Creating and Following Routine

There are a number of steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your hot tub. These should be completed on a consistent schedule – the frequency of which varies based upon the task. For example, it is good practise to drain the tub and clean the outer shell every three months. For our customers, we offer these services as part of our After Sales care, but for those who want to tackle the care and maintenance of the hot tub themselves, establishing a routine of testing the water quality, filters and systems, draining and refilling the tub, and cleaning the different parts can help prolong the life and ensure the water stays crystal clear.

To see the full range of maintenance tasks that we offer as a part of our after-sales care, and read our advice on how best to approach these, take a look at our hot tub services page here.

Protecting your Hot Tub

A great way to help prolong the life of your tub is to ensure it is properly protected from the elements. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is with a high quality hot tub cover. Your cover protects your hot tub from the weather, which is essential as rain, snow and heavy storms can all take a toll on the life of your tub. For this reason, it is worth looking after your cover, being careful when removing it or clearing debris as to prevent tearing.

Another effective way of protecting your swim spa is by installing a gazebo or another type of enclosure to surround the tub. This not only offers excellent protection from the elements, but also creates a space of ultimate relaxation and pleasure as well as providing additional privacy. Installing a custom hot tub enclosure is the perfect way to create a romantic space to relax with cocktails in the evening, or establish an elegant oasis for casual lunches and family swims.

Discover our stunning range of luxurious enclosures on our website today or get in touch with one of our specialists to explore the options available to you by visiting our website here or calling 0208 300 4003.

How to choose the perfect furniture accompaniments to your hot tub

Posted on 12 March 2017 - 23:00 by Christina Mantoura

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Hot tubs, at their very core, are all about luxury. Making the decision to invest in your own hot tub is a fantastic way of displaying your personal style and luxury. One incredible way to enhance this bespoke sense of luxury and relaxation is to invest in the perfect furniture accompaniments for your hot tub.

Landscaping and Accessories

Many people opt for some form of landscaping around their hot tub, whether in the form of a bespoke enclosure, a decking or simple adjustments or additions to the current space. This provides a truly unique and customised finish to the investment, allowing you to creatively display your style in whichever fashion you wish. If you do decide to erect a deck around your hot tub, or form an enclosure for use all year round, a simple but effective way to complete the space and enhance its beauty is with some furniture accompaniments.

These come in a vast range of options, and whilst there is no limit to your creative options, the easiest way to enhance your hot tub experience is with some simple lounge chairs or sunbeds and a surface to act as a table for refreshments.

Factors to consider

The main factor to consider when it comes to selecting furniture for your hot tub environment is your personal sense of style and aesthetic preferences. The design is entirely for you to shape and style dependent on your taste. You may choose to go for a minimalistic style, or a more rustic, homely feel, but whatever you decide on, it should be a reflection of your personality, a visual representation of who you are.

With this in mind, you should begin to consider what you require from your hot tub furniture. Do you simply require somewhere to sit and dry-off once you leave the tub? Or would you prefer to structure an environment for entertaining guests? Maybe both? Once you understand what you require, it is far easier to narrow down the options to find the best solution.

Making the decision

Now that you have filtered your options to match your requirements, and selected a few based on your aesthetic preferences, the only other factors to consider are: the size, will it fit in the environment you have designated for it? Your budget, how much would you like to spend on furniture? And the quality, is the furniture of a high quality to match that of your hot tub? Once youâ€™ve thought about each of these, itâ€™s all down to you to see which you like and which work with the environment you are trying to create, and have fun!

To find out how you can purchase your own hot tub, or explore the options available to you, visit our website here or speak to a member of our team on 0208 300 4003.

What health benefits can your Hot Tub offer you?

Posted on 8 March 2017 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Hot tubs are known for the relaxation benefits that they provide, and are often seen as a luxury. Although many people buy their own hot tub purely for the relaxation and enjoyment, there are actually a number of health benefits that hot tubs are able to bring to regular users. Here are some examples of these:

Blood sugar changes

Did you know that hot tubs can benefit those living with type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes involves the body being unable to produce enough insulin, or use it effectively, which results in high blood glucose levels. Over time this can cause damage to the organs, however type 2 diabetes can be largely managed by keeping sugar intake minimal through a controlled diet. Itâ€™s a little known fact that hot tubs are actually effective at reducing blood sugar levels, since the hot water exposure for around half an hour daily can make a noticeable difference.

Eases difficulty sleeping

The average hot tub temperature is around 40 degrees, and sitting in it for a period of time helps your body temperature to rise to adjust. This, combined with the support of the surrounding water taking the strain off of the body, causes the body to relax, and can aid sleep. Once leaving the hot tub, your body temperature returns to normal, and this drop back to normal can also encourage a deeper sleep.

Hydrotherapy for many conditions

Many conditions ranging from Arthritis and joint injuries to stress, headaches, Tendonitis and Scoliosis are often treated through hydrotherapy, which is prescribed by medical professionals. Most hot tubs can ease the symptoms of these conditions through not only the warmth of the water. Relaxing massage jets can stimulate better circulation, blood flow and muscle relaxation. Buoyancy from being in the water eases pressure on joints by creating a feeling of weightlessness.

Increased mobility and fitness

With the benefits that have already been mentioned, this can also lead to increased mobility and overall greater wellbeing and lower stress levels. The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company also offers a range of combined hot tubs and swim spas, meaning that buyers can enjoy swimming against a current and increasing their fitness levels and swimming abilities from the comfort of their own home.

Find out more about our range of hot tubs and swim spas today by giving us a call on 0208 300 4003.

Swim spas: The ultimate alternative to outdoor exercise

Posted on 5 March 2017 - 23:00 by Christina Mantoura

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The idea of owning your own swimming pool is, for many, a dream that they do not believe is achievable. This can be due to the limited nature of the space available, economical concerns or overestimated expectations for cleaning and maintenance. If this sounds like you, a swim spa could be the perfect solution. Providing all the benefits of a private swimming pool in a much more compact form, swim spas use a propulsion system to create a current which the user can swim against, allowing them to swim forever without turning.

The importance of exercising

I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to find out that exercise key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From boosting your mood, to reducing your risk of heart conditions, regular exercise can provide a wide range of essential benefits. Research has shown that physical activity can reduce your risk of major illness such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%. The NHS recommends that you achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity, spread out over a week. Although most would consider taking up running, or go to a gym, a great way to achieve this in the privacy and comfort of your own home, is a with a swim spa.

Exercising in a swim spa

One of the best things about investing in a swim spa is that it allows you to perform a variety of exercises and establish a varied, enjoyable routine which helps you to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle without the strain that regular exercise can put on your muscles and joints. This is due to the gentle warmth and buoyancy of the water, which provides the perfect environment for exercising, especially for those who struggle with joint pain or muscle stiffness.

There are a number of exercises you can perform in your swim spa, from simply wading in the water to rowing with resistance bands and strength training. The increased resistance that the water provides means that simply walking or running against a current provides an excellent toning exercise for muscles and helps to build overall strength. You can also perform torso rotations or a shoulder roll to increase general wellbeing and fitness.

If you would like a complete, extensive guide to exercises you can perform in a swim spa, you can reference our blog post on swim spa exercises here. Alternatively, to find out more about our fantastic range of swim spas and discover the options available to you, visit our website here or speak to a member of our team on 0208 300 4003.

Teach your children to swim at home with your own swim spa

Posted on 1 March 2017 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Did you know that children aged between 1.5 and 3 years take an average of 1 year to learn to swim and be safe in water. Older children, above the age of 3, take around 6 months to a year to learn safety in the water. However, there are many adults who are unable to swim, and no set time period within which adults learn to swim. Some people take to the water easily as an adult, but every person is different, and for some people, overcoming a fear of water can take a long time.

Learning to swim as a child

Learning as a child can be extremely beneficial later on in life, particularly to stop any fears developing. Swimming is a life-long skill and can be taught from a young age. A swim spa is the ideal learning environment because it offers safety and ease of use. There is no age limit to using swim spas, and it gives parents the chance to teach their children a basic swimming technique within a limited space that allows for the ability for parents to provide assistance if required.

Building up swimming ability

Swim spas are also ideal for helping children learn to swim because they have adjustable settings to change the swim speed depending on ability. This means that children and adults alike can develop their swimming skill at whatever level they are comfortable with and increase the speed as desired. This makes it easy for new swimmers to swim confidently, but is also used for athletes training to swim for either speed or endurance.

A safe environment

Using a home swim spa creates a safe learning environment since itâ€™s not a large volume of water. This makes adult supervision and guidance much easier, and creates a space for children to become confident swimming and playing underwater. Factors such as a cold temperature and intimidating environment can discourage children from learning to swim, but the swim spa provides a relaxing environment where there is the ability to control water temperature to suit individual requirements. This is also true for adults who are looking to learn to swim, since the same benefits apply to them.

Low maintenance solutions

As well as the learning process, The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Companyâ€™s swim spas are a perfect solution for home use as theyâ€™re extremely low maintenance. They are self-cleaning and simply require basic checks before use. This makes them perfect for use by the whole family for exercise and relaxation, whatever your age.

Take a look at our full range of swim spas today and give us a call to place your order or discuss which is right for you on 0208 300 4003.

Have you considered a self cleaning Swim Spa?

Posted on 22 February 2017 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

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If you’re exploring the idea of getting a hot tub or swim spa, have you thought about choosing one that is self-cleaning? This can be an added bonus and make owning your swim spa much more manageable.

Hot tub hygiene

There is a lot involved in keeping hot tubs clean and hygienic. Chlorine levels should be tested regularly, before each use for every hot tub to ensure that it is safe. However, standard hot tubs require even greater levels of care including using oxidising agents on a weekly basis, and also cleaning the filters thoroughly. As well as this, you’ll need scale remover if the water in your area is hard.

Ease of use

One of the major benefits of choosing a self-cleaning swim spa is that it makes maintenance much easier, particularly for new owners. Although you can establish a cleaning routine and learn which chemicals are necessary to use at specific intervals, not having to worry about these things makes having a hot tub a much more enjoyable experience.

Maximising relaxation time

Since you don’ have to clean the spa each time you use it, you can use your swim spa straight away each time you want to. The water is completely replaced every 15 minutes, meaning that the pool keeps itself clean while you relax and enjoy. So if you’ve decided to go for a swim, or relax in the hot tub with friends, you can do so straight away.

Clean and safe water

Water being replaced every 15 minutes helps to ensure the cleanest possible environment. If it is not treated properly or cleaned regularly, bacteria in water can present health risks to users. Self-cleaning spas take care of this problem to ensure that you are always swimming in clean, safe water.

Save money with self-cleaning spas

In the long run, from a financial perspective it can be great to have a self-cleaning swim spa too. Over time, you will save money that you would otherwise have had to spend on additional chemicals and time spent cleaning. This is why we offer self-cleaning swim spas – to remove hassle, save money, and increase enjoyment!

Browse our swim spas or give us a call to see which is the best to meet your requirements and budget today on 0208 300 4003.

5 Factors To Consider When Deciding Where To Place Your Hot Tub

Posted on 15 February 2017 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

There are a few factors to consider before deciding where to place your new Hydropool Hot Tub. For example, is your new spa going to be used mainly to provide relief from back pain, stress or insomnia? Or will it become the central social hub of your home where you can spend quality time with family and friends? There are lots of options available to you, here are a few points that you may find usefulâ€¦

#1 Maximum relaxation for all seasons

The ideal location for your beautiful new spa would be one that allows you to soak up some vitamin D during the summer months, whilst offering some shelter in the winter. Our wide range of marine grade and weather proof gazebos provide the perfect all year round solution. Enjoy al fresco dining in our bespoke Riviera Pavilion. Look up and you will see the benefits of having the tinted sky roof – see the clouds and the stars! This stunning enclosure allows you to feel like you are outside when you are sheltered and warm! Open the louvre blinds on warmer days or close them in colder ones. The gas filled bar window offers those enjoying the bar a chance to get involved in the action. The possibilities are endless.

#2 Indoors or Outdoors?

Contrary to popular belief, hot tubs arenâ€™t designed to solely exist outdoors. Many people choose to build a relaxation room with a tub, sauna and gym equipment inside their homes. This means that you could potentially create the perfect luxury retreat inside your very own home!

#3 Who will be using it?

If you’re expecting to use your spa mostly as a private adult health retreat, you may want to choose a more secluded or quiet area of your garden. Hydrotherapy has been scientifically proven to do wonders for arthritic pains, back pain, migraines, stress relief, diabetes, insomnia and much more! On the other hand, if you plan on using your spa to reconnect relationships with your family and to entertain guests, a more accessible, central location may be more appropriate.

#4 Where does it fit?

Where will your hot tub fit? There may only be one place that your hot tub will realistically fit in your garden or home, but there might be options for you. In this case, you’ll have to consider how it fits with the rest of your garden, such as any landscaping elements, trees, lighting and pathways.

#5 Our spas are fit to last a lifetime!

With the majority of people getting the most out of their hot tub experience during the winter months, some may worry that if it is not properly protected the colder weather and snow may damage the spa. However, our weather proof, thick, insulated covers not only keep out any dirt or debris but they also protect the shell and jets from any adverse weather conditions. Our Hydropools have marine grade, rot proof cabinets to ensure that your spa looks aesthetically pleasing all year round!

Hot tubs are a flexible solution and can be placed anywhere you decide depending on your preferences and practical requirements. At The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company, we offer a wide range of different sized hot tubs and swim spas to meet the needs of each of our customers. We also offer site surveys, carried out by one of our award winning team of experts, to offer advice on the best location to maximise your hot tub experience!

Give us a call today on 0208 300 4003 for hot tub placement advice or to make your purchase today.

5 Top Tips On How To Care For Your New Hydropool Hot Tub Or Swim Spa!

Posted on 8 February 2017 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Our state of the art Hydropool Self Cleaning Hot Tubs and Swim Spas are the only spas in the world to filter and clean 100% of the water in just 15 or 45 minutes, respectively. This allows you to spend more time enjoying your spa and less time maintaining it! We guarantee to create more time for what matters to you and your family. Reconnect relationships, relax and let the stresses of the day slip away!

Here’s our 5 top tips to help you increase the longevity and care of your hot tub:

1. Covers (Put a lid on it)

Our thick insulating covers significantly increase the efficiency of your hot tub when idle. A well-insulated cover will keep your water warm, reducing the amount of energy required to run the spa. As a result, our Hydropool spas cost less than a packet of crisps per day to run.

Remembering to place the cover back on your spa between uses will also keep out any dirt, leaves or rain water. Rain water could interfere with your water chemistry and require you to frequently add additional chemicals. Another money saving bonus of our standard hard covers.

Designed for all year round use with their weather and rot proof material, there’s no need to worry about leaving them out in the winter months.

2. We’re always here for chemical advice!

We understand that it can sometimes take a couple of weeks to get to grips with your new spa routine and to understand the chemistry of your water. That’s why our showroom is open 7 days a week. Our highly trained team are always available to answer any questions you have and to offer their expert advice either in person or over phone.

One common mistake is for new owners to purchase their chemicals cheaply over the internet. However, it is sometimes very difficult to know the quality of these products and exactly where they have come from. This may make it difficult to diagnose a problem with your chemistry. At The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company we sell a full range of our own branded, high quality water treatment chemicals- everything you need to ensure your water stays safe and crystal clear all year round!

We also hold a water treatment open evening once a year, where all new clients are welcomed to our showroom to listen to a talk by the industries chemical expert, Jim Lee!

3. Replace the water and service your spa

Regardless of how often you use your hot tub, eventually the water will need to be replaced. We recommend giving your spa a system flush and to change your water every 3-4 months.

We offer comprehensive servicing and maintenance options to all of our hot tub and swim spa clients. During these visits our award-winning team of engineers will carry out a full MOT health check on the pumps, filtration system, lighting system and jet function in addition to cleaning and polishing the shell and cabinets, de-scaling all jet housing and performing a complete system purge.

Make sure you contact us to find out more about our discounted annual service contract!

4. Preparing your spa for winter

It is a common misconception that hot tubs are designed to be enjoyed during the summer and that the cold winter weather could damage them. The majority of bathers find that they relax more in the warm water when the weather outside is cold and crisp, with many agreeing that the best time of year to use your spa is in the snow! With Hydropools N.A.S.A inspired thermal shield insulating blanket and durable technology our spas are designed for use all year round.

However, if you prefer to shut your spa down over the winter due to less frequent use, we offer a comprehensive close down service. Call us for more details!

5. General Cleanliness

There are a range of small things you can do to help maintain a nice, clean hot tub and prevent your water from becoming foamy. Asking your guests to shower before entering and proving towels and swim suits can help reduce dirt, deodorants or detergents from getting into the hot tub and reacting with the chemicals in the water.

Overall, the purpose of these little things is to prolong the life of your new hot tub and ensure the water is always clean, safe, warm and appealing – to promote ultimate relaxation.

To find out more about our range of self-cleaning hot tubs, call today on 0208 300 4003 or visit our website.

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