All About Softub Liners and Their Care

Durable enough to withstand the strength and weight of an elephant; no matter the weather—sun, rain, frost, or snow—the Leathertex exterior of Softub hot tubs has been created for long life and durability.

Q: Can I have a new liner installed on my Softub?
A: Yes. The Softub can have its skin removed and replaced with another to make the unit look like new again. This should be performed by a certified technician, as the jets and drain holes will need to be cut out of the vinyl during the installation; one wrong cut would make the new liner leak. Please contact us to set up an appointment to get a new liner installed on your tub. The service center will be able to provide you cost and availability.

Q: I have a stain on my liner. What can I do to clean it properly?
A: We have three levels of cleaning that we recommend for stains and markings.

1. Simple Stains: Wipe the area clean with a damp washcloth; doing so will remove any build-up. Wipe the area clean with a mixture of baking soda and water.

2. Tough Stains: When the tub is drained, use a soft soap and sponge to wipe the area clean.

3. Inks and Heavy Stains: When the tub is drained, use a rag with Naphtha to wipe the surface of the inner vinyl clean. Naphtha can only be used on the inner vinyl as Naphtha is too harsh for the outside skin. If Naphtha is used on the outside skin of the tub, it will be permanently damaged.

Q: My Softub liner has wrinkled on the inner vinyl. Why did this happen and how can I fix it?
A: This type of damage is seen with tubs that have had higher than normal chlorine levels or lower than recommended pH levels; however, other chemical mismanagement issues can cause this to happen. There may be an issue with the hardness level of the water that could have caused the expansion of the inner vinyl causing wrinkles. The vinyl is made up of PVC with additional plasticizers to make the naturally hard PVC soft and pliable. Soft water or low pH will leach these plasticizers out of the vinyl causing unsightly wrinkles, and with an extended period of time can make the vinyl hard and brittle. It is best to re-skin a tub if this damage occurs.   We would recommend first to work on correcting the water chemistry before installing a new liner to insure the new liner is not damaged as well. Contact us with questions!

Q: My Softub’s liner walls are slimy/slick- what is happening?
A: Slick or slimy walls are a sign of low ‘sanitizer’ or chlorine levels. When you add chlorine for the first time, you’ll want to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of chlorine to a tub being filled. Once filled test the water again to see if the levels are still low and add another tablespoon if it is low. After 15 minutes check the levels again. If the color of the test strip matches the ‘OK’ colors on the side of the bottle, you are all set! If the color matches the ‘LOW’ colors, add another tablespoon of chlorine. Repeat as necessary. If you add more than 4 tablespoons, please check that your test strips have not expired as this is an excessive amount. If you happen to add too much chlorine, run the jets with the air control open and the cover of the tub off. This will let the chlorine evaporate out of the water. Test after 3 hours to see if the levels have dropped to the ‘OK’ levels of 2-3ppm. Keep in mind that chlorine evaporates out of the water naturally, so you will need to add one table spoon every few days to keep your levels up to par. Please keep a close eye on your water chemistry to ensure you maintain your sanitizer at the correct level. Test your water chemistry after each use of your Softub, but no less than twice a week. Allowing your water chemistry to get out of balance can cause permanent damage to your liner and pose health risks to users of your tub. Please read the Water Treatment Guide that was included with your Softub. If you need new copies of this, they are available from your Softub dealer.

Q: The black floor plate at the bottom of my tub is coming off. How do I fix this?
A:   At the Softub factory, we weld the wall of the tub to the floor plate with heat guns. We can help, give us a call. You may also use an adhesive to attach the materials together. Do not apply adhesive to the inner vinyl of the tub as it may adhere to the wrong area inside the tub.