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What Is A Portable Hot Tub?

A portable hot tub is designed to give consumers more flexibility with things like location and power requirements. A portable hot tub, like Softub, can be used indoors or outdoors and can be plugged into any standard outlet. Not all portable hot tubs can be rolled from location to location weighing less than 80 pounds when empty. Softub is the only portable hot tub that is insulated well enough to stay outside and running all year long, with little effect on your energy bill.

What Is A The Best Portable Hot Tub?

For those wanting the benefits of a hot tub without all of the hassles, a Softub portable hot tub is the best choice. Softub combines the best of traditional tubs and their durability with portability and low electrical costs. Softub has been manufactured in the USA for over 30 years.

Are All Portable Hot Tubs Inflatable?

No. All inflatable hot tubs are portable but all portable hot tubs are not inflatable. Softub® is an example of a portable hot tub that is not inflatable. Inflatable hot tubs are not as durable, are not insulated, take longer to heat the water, and cost significantly more to operate. Softub® is a superior alternative to an inflatable hot tub.

What Is A Soft Sided Hot Tub?

A soft sided hot tub provides the best of both worlds for those seeking to buy a hot tub. Softub, the leading soft-sided hot tub, requires no site prep, plugs into a regular outlet, is easy to install, is extremely cost-effective, and portable. One person can set up and install a soft-sided hot tub. Your tired, achy muscles and your wallet will thank you.

Depending on where you live, your portable hot tub will either be delivered by one of our Pettis Pools’ trucks or by a 53’ common carrier truck. Please inform us immediately if your street is such that a large truck cannot drive down it. If you have any questions regarding the shipment of your new Softub® portable hot tub to your home, please call or live chat with us. We look forward to serving all your Softub® spa needs.

We ship several hundred hot tubs per year and most of these deliveries go very smoothly. However, it is VITAL that you check your Softub® delivery carefully when it arrives. Please verify that the total number of pieces written on the Bill of Lading is actually what is received. Please also visually inspect the cardboard boxes and make sure there is no major visible damage to any of them.

**If you see any major visible damage to the boxes, don’t panic because it’s very likely that your hot tub is not damaged. However, it is imperative that you write “Possible Concealed Damage” on the Bill of Lading that the driver will ask you to sign. There is no way for us to file a claim or get damaged merchandise replaced without this documentation, so please check your boxes carefully.

Please note: Your Softub® will leave our facility the next business day after all your paperwork is in order, unless you have specified otherwise. You may additionally receive a call from our warehouse coordinator confirming you are ready for your tub. Once your hot tub reaches the nearest destination terminal, you will receive a phone call from the shipping company to schedule your curbside delivery. This means you will need to roll the hot tub to the desired location, unbox it, connect the motor unit to the hot tub, fill it with water, and plug it into an outlet. It’s as simple as 1,2,3! We have a portable hot tub installation video on our YouTube page to help you through this process if you need and remember, we are only a telephone call away.

We also have a FREE app you can download (search Softub Express in the Google Play store or Apple store) that also has the installation video on it. If we are delivering your hot tub, we will provide you with an estimated delivery time and do everything we can to stick to schedule. If we are running behind, our delivery personnel will most certainly call and keep you updated. If, for any reason, the Softub® is undeliverable or canceled after it leaves our facility, you will be given a full refund minus a 15% restocking fee and any delivery/pick up or shipping charges for product that is in its original packaging.

Delivered Softub® spas are not returnable.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Softub Portable Hot Tub

To better assist our customers, we’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions by new portable hot tub owners. If you have a question not covered here, please call us at 800-996-8827 (TUBS) and we’ll be happy to help! You may also download the entire document as a pdf if you prefer by clicking below:

I just received my hot tub. How long will the chemical kit last?

The chemicals in the kit will be used up at different rates. Depending on your hot tub size and usage, the granular chlorine is what you’re going to use the most of and should last approximately 1-2 months. The pH Up and pH Down can easily last up to a full year. Depending on your water source, the Softcare Gon (metal & scale remover) should last about two months. Once your Softub Spa Frog® mineral purifier is exposed to water, it is active for four months only. After that it can no longer oxidize contaminants and must be replaced. Your test strips should last 3-4 months as you should be testing your water no more than 1-2 times per week unless you are working on a water balance issue.

Why can’t I get my filter off?

Make sure your hot tub’s water is heated prior to trying to remove your filter as this makes the plastic cuff much more pliable. Feel around the cuff of your filter until you locate the notch and then align that notch with the ‘3 o’clock’ position. Push/pull the filter towards the ‘9 o’clock’ position and it should come off. Before putting your filter on, soak it in your heated tub or a bucket of hot water for several minutes as this will make the plastic cuff more pliable.

Why isn’t my hot tub light working?

You may not have connected the light wires. There are two wires, one from your power pack and one from your hot tub. The wires are sometimes protruding from the pack and tub, sometimes wrapped around the tubes and occasionally, you will find a wire just under the vinyl on the tub side. Once you have exposed both the wires, connect them by pushing the two end pieces together until you feel them click and then your light should work.

How do I know what my chlorine, pH, alkalinity and calcium should be?

Please reference your bottle of test strips where all four water balance parameters are listed along the side, with their OK levels marked. Your spa should be tested at least once or twice per week.

I don’t have a chemical to adjust alkalinity. Why not and how do I do it?

The kit does not come with a chemical to adjust alkalinity because most times it can be adjusted easily with the chemicals you already have. If your alkalinity level is not in the “ok” range, please contact our office so that we can assist you with correcting it.

How do I order supplies?

You can order water care products and accessories by going online to Portable Hot Tub Water Care Supplies.

You may also call us at 800-996-TUBS (8827) to place your order. Our regular office hours are M-F from 9:00am – 5:00pm EST.

Other Softub Hot Tub Products & Accessories:

• 300 Gallon Submersible Water Pump – This powerful electric pump was originally designed for pool covers, but is ideal for spas.
• 5-Piece Hot Tub Surround Sound – The modular pieces can be used in a variety of combinations to personalize the look and feel of your very own unit that perfectly surrounds any round spa with a diameter of 72 in. – 84 in.
• Hot Tub Booster Seat – A versatile water-filled seat that adds to the comfort and convenience of enjoying the spa. Use as a booster seat or back support.
• Hot Tub Pillow – You’ll appreciate the comfort of our exclusively designed Softub pillows / headrest. Made to match your Softub Spa’s exterior color, or mix and match for a unique look.

I can’t seem to maintain a chlorine level in my hot tub. What’s wrong?

Chlorine dissipates rapidly, so it’s important to add it after each use or on a daily basis. Also, it may be time to replace your Spa Frog. They need to be replaced every four months and if yours is older than that, it’s no longer active and is leaving just the chlorine to kill all the bacteria in the spa. Since people are the primary source of new bacteria introduction, it is advisable to add chlorine just after getting out. If you are adding the recommended amount of chlorine but you are still not able to get a residual reading, it is time to super-chlorinate your hot tub by adding double the recommended dosage. Continue to add this doubled amount daily until you are able to maintain a reading above 1.0ppm. It is also possible that if you have not changed your water within the last 4-6 months, that the water in your hot tub is saturated with the “used up” chemicals and cannot “take in” or process anymore chlorine. If this is the case, you’ll need to drain and refill your tub.

Why is my water cloudy and how do I fix it?

Water can be cloudy for several different reasons. Have you recently checked the water’s chlorine, pH and alkalinity levels to be sure these are balanced? If not then please do that first. Most often this problem can be solved by adding chlorine and keeping the pH properly balanced. Also, when was the last time you cleaned or changed your filter? To ensure proper filtration you need to rinse your filter monthly or after particularly heavy use, chemically clean your filter every other month, and replace your filter yearly. We recommend that you clean your filter with BaquaSpa Filter Cleaner because it does a great job of dissolving body oils off the filter cartridge.

Water that is 4-6 months old may be saturated in which case none of the above will help. If the above fixes do not clear the water and the water is 4-6 months old or the spa was recently used heavily, we recommend changing the water and cleaning the filter.

My liner is slippery and slimy. What is the problem?

This is a simple case of unsanitary water due to not enough chlorine being added. When the chlorine level drops below 1.0ppm, bacteria can grow rapidly in the spa. To resolve this please take an old washcloth or similar, gently rub the sidewalls and bottom of your hot tub, and then super-chlorinate by doubling your normal recommended dosage of granular chlorine. There is no need to drain the spa and start over unless you really want to. Maintain your chlorine levels on a daily basis and remember that the more you use your spa the more chlorine you will need.

Why is my water surface foamy?

Foamy or sudsy water can be caused by a few different things. Your calcium hardness level may be too low, the pH may be too high, or people may have been using the spa with swimsuits on that contain residual laundry detergent. It’s even possible to have foamy water because of a dirty filter. Check the calcium and pH, clean the filter and rinse all swimsuits in plain water (chlorine will kill any bacteria on swimsuits). If the foam persists, you can purchase a product called Defoamer.

How do I clean mold/mildew off my liner?

Mold and mildew can appear on your liner if your hot tub is not properly sanitized. It can also appear if you’ve drained your tub and left it completely covered for an extended period of time, as it’s nearly impossible to get 100% of the water out of all the lines so moisture will be present. We always recommend placing folded towels under each side of your lid so it is propped up to allow for air flow, or leaving it partially uncovered. Use a Tub Scrubber or a Teflon safe scrubbie and a super diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 5 parts water) to clean your liner. Unfortunately, mold and mildew can cause permanent staining. The best prevention is keeping your tub properly sanitized or stored properly.

How do I clean mold/mildew on my lid?

Mold and mildew can grow on the underside of your lid when water becomes trapped in the cracks. Take your lid off your hot tub prior to treating it. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 5 parts water) or Clorox Clean Up on the underside of your lid. DO NOT use Clorox Clean Up on your liner or on the exterior portion of your tub or lid as it can cause discoloration in these areas. The best mold/mildew prevention is allowing the lid to dry out once every couple of months.

There is a ring at/above my water line. What is it and how do I get rid of it?

There are a few reasons that this can happen. First, there could be a build-up of body oils, lotions or detergents. You can use BaquaSpa Surface Cleaner and a Tub Scrubber to clean it. If this is a re-occurring problem for you, make sure that you are rinsing off prior to using the hot tub to remove any lotions, soaps, deodorants or perfumes. You should also rinse bathing suits rather than washing them (chlorine will kill any bacteria on bathing suits). You may want to consider using a scum sponge in your tub as well. Second, bacteria build up can also cause a ring around your tub. You can clean it using the above method and you’ll want to be sure that you are properly sanitizing your tub. If the ring is sticky, you may need to use SwirlAway to clean out your plumbing. SwirlAway is added to the tub prior to draining and re-filling, and we recommend using SwirlAway at least once a year. Third, it is possible that the sticky ring is being caused by one or more of the gaskets in your tub breaking down, which is usually normal wear and tear but may also signify a serious chemical imbalance. If that is the case, they will need to be replaced the next time you empty your hot tub. Please contact our office for assistance with this.

I have developed itchy red bumps after being in my Softub. What is it and what do I do?

Don’t panic. This is a fairly common occurrence among all spa owners and is most likely folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicle caused by unsanitary water. Folliculitis usually appears as small, white-headed pimples around one or more hair follicles — the tiny pockets from which each hair grows. Most infections are superficial, and they may itch, but on occasion they’re painful. Superficial folliculitis often clears by itself in a few days, but deep or recurring folliculitis may need medical treatment. We would recommend that you see your family doctor to be safe. Each person reacts differently to being exposed to higher than normal levels of bacteria, so it’s possible for one person to come down with folliculitis while another person using the tub at the exact same time is fine.

Regardless of this, your tub has too much bacteria in it and you will want to super-chlorinate your tub by adding double the recommended dosage. Continue to add this doubled amount daily until you are able to maintain a reading above 1.0ppm. We also advise removing and cleaning your filter. If it has been more than 4 months since you changed your water, it might be best to drain and refill your hot tub.

What should I do with my hot tub if I’m going away for 1-2 weeks?

Before you leave, dissolve the recommended amount of granular chlorine in hot water then add the resulting slurry to your tub.

• 4 tbsp for a 300
• 3 tbsp for a 220
• 2 tbsp for a 140

When you return, dissolve the same amount listed above of granular chlorine in hot water then add the slurry to your hot tub. Wait until the next day to test the chlorine level (it can take a little bit to level out). If the walls feel slimy, please wipe down the walls and floor with an old washcloth or similar before adding chlorine.

Make sure you leave the hot tub lid open/off for 30 minutes after adding the chlorine!

It is a good idea to turn the temperature of your tub down (90’s) to stop the chlorine from burning off too quickly. Chlorine is a heat sensitive chemical so the hotter the water the faster it will dissipate. We also recommend leaving your thermal blanket off while you are away. If you choose to use Energy Saver Mode while you are away, make sure you take it out of that mode when you return home.

How do I winterize my portable Softub?

The cold months are a great time to use your new Softub Portable Hot Tub. Soaking in your new portable hot tub on a cold winter day can be just the thing to warm you up and rejuvenate you after a long cold week. Read More Cold Weather Hot Tub use Tips. However, should you choose to store your Softub, we recommend:

1. Unplug your tub and disconnect the pack from the tub. Tip the pack so that any water in it can drain out.The pack MUST be stored inside where the temperature will not drop below 50 degrees.
2. Completely drain your tub. After it has finished draining, tip it on its side with the plumbing facing down so that any water still in the plumbing drains out. Periodically roll it back and forth a little to facilitate draining. You may want to give it a few hours (maybe even overnight) to ensure that all water is out. Wipe down your tub several times to make sure it is dry on the inside and the outside.
3. We recommend placing a small amount of steel wool in the end of the plumbing pipes to prevent rodents from nesting in them.
4. We recommend storing the hot tub flat. If you must store it on its side, the tub may develop a flat spot over time. Rotating the spot that is in contact with the ground every 1-2 weeks should help prevent a flat spot from developing. If one does develop it may go away with a little bit of time once the tub is filled and heated, but there is always the possibility that it may not.
5. We recommend placing a couple of folded towels under one side of the lid to slightly elevate it and allow for airflow into your tub to help prevent mold/mildew growth.
6. We recommend applying a good coat of 303 Aerospace Protectant on your vinyl before storing your hot tub. This will help protect your vinyl from extreme temperatures. Never use Armor All as it will deteriorate the seams!
7. We recommend covering your portable hot tub, especially if it is going to be stored outside, to protect it. You can use a Tubguard Cover or a Travel Cover.
8. After a snow accumulation of 6-8 inches, you’ll want to use a broom to remove the snow from the top of your lid. Accumulated snow can cause your lid to crack. DO NOT use a shovel as it can damage your liner.

It is ideal for your portable hot tub to be stored away from the elements. However, if you’re not able to store your tub inside, following these steps will help your tub survive the winter beautifully.