essential oils in hot tub

Many hot tub owners equate soaking with visiting a spa. Naturally, that makes some people want to not only enjoy the warm water but also enhance the experience through our sense of smell. So can you put essential oils in your hot tub?

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:

Never put essential oils in a hot tub. Essential oils are not water-soluble and can gum up the filters, lead to excess foam in the water, and potentially create clogs in the plumbing.

Fortunately, there are non-oil-based alternatives you can use.

In the next few minutes, we’ll explore these alternatives you can use, whether Epsom salt is okay in your tub, and some related info.

Read on to discover what I’ve learned from my research and personal experience.

Can you put lavender oil in a hot tub?

Essential oils, such as lavender oil, cannot be used in a hot tub. Any oil-based product should never be used in a hot tub due as it can clog the filter and create excess foam.

Used in a bath, it’s a great way to enjoy the amazing benefits of aromatherapy, which uses plant extracts and essential oils for healing and relaxation. But, it’s worth stressing that…

..we know that oil and water don’t mix.

The oil on our skin doesn’t play well with the water. Now, consider that essential oils are even more powerful than the oil from our skin.

They can clog the tub’s filtration system!

As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are not water-soluble. So, anything oil-based, such as lavender oil, shouldn’t be used in a hot tub. It can gum up the filters, lead to excess foam in the water, and clogs in the equipment.

Swing by and get some high-end aromatherapy products for your hot tub, and/or bath! This one is for stress relief and contains lavender and cedar wood. pic.twitter.com/0Xvb8ZzVql

— ProCare Pool & Spa (@procarepool) February 20, 2019

Can Epsom salt be used in a hot tub?

Epsom salt should not be used in a hot tub. It contains magnesium which causes a harmful reaction when mixed with chlorine. Additionally, Epsom salt can lead to corrosion in the heater, pump, and plumbing.

You’re probably surprised. After all, they are supposed to have healing properties.

Yes, they do have beneficial effects. For example, it promotes sleep, reduces stress, pain, and swelling, offers relief from muscle soreness, and provides magnesium. Magnesium, by the way, is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body.

However, it depends on what type of water you’re using in your hot tub and what quantity of Epsom salt you use. If you’re using plain water and you use the right quantity, it’s okay. But, if you’re using chlorinated water, you’ll ruin your hot tub! To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid them.

Let’s understand why Epsom salt can ruin your hot tub.

First off, what’s its composition? Epsom salt is a combination of three chemicals: magnesium, oxygen, and sulfur. Now, chlorine and magnesium don’t play well together. In time, because salts are acidic, they’ll lead to corrosion.

Which is the last thing you want.

The only way to use Epsom salts is to treat your hot tub like a bath and change the water after using it. That gets costly and time-consuming.

In a recent article of mine: Will Epsom Salt Ruin a Hot Tub?

I shared detailed findings of my research about this issue. I explained that at levels above 1500pm, they corrode the tub’s plumbing and affect the water’s pH. But I also shared 1 ninja trick that gets you the benefits without the downsides!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Woo Hoo Today is Bubble Bath Day: A good day to soak in a hot tub! What is your go to for a perfect bath? I prefer no bubbles…2 cups of Epson salts, 1/2 cup baking soda, tablespoon of almond oil and 5 drops of lavender E.O. I’m dreaming of a good soak~Sabrina pic.twitter.com/WZW7TdCU7e

— New Mix 100.7 (@NewMix1007) January 9, 2019

What can I put in my hot tub to make it smell better?

There are non-oil-based spa scents for hot tubs that give off a pleasant, subtle fragrance. Some come with skin moisturizing emollients. They’re safe to use because they do not affect the water’s chemistry, foam, cloud, or leave an oily residue.

You just twist the tip of a pillow packet and squeeze it into the tub.

It promotes total relaxation while leaving your skin soft, and it’s free from chemical odors. An awesome one I’ll suggest is InSPAration on Amazon. It’s got over 400 reviews on Amazon, and almost all are 5-star.

Just click that link to see the current price on Amazon.

In addition to spa scents, you might be wondering if it’s okay to use bath salts or bath bombs in your hot tub.

In a recent article of mine, I explained the dangers of flash burns when certain ones mix with chlorine. But, I also suggested what to do instead.

Just click that link to read the article on my site.

Laying in a hot tub with essential oils & bath salts relaxing with my feet up reading: “Budo Secrets” #Bath #Feet #Toes #MartialArts pic.twitter.com/dAU4vjnhDb

— Christa Jacobson (@SokeAnshu) February 14, 2017

What essential oils can you put in a Jacuzzi?

Essential oils should not be used in hot tubs, but you can use them in bathtubs. Jacuzzi is actually a brand name. It’s not a type of product. They make both bathtubs and hot tubs.

Why? The key difference is bathwater gets changed every use, whereas hot tub water only gets changed about every 3 months.

You can use the following in a bathtub:

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils you can safely use in your bathtub.

It has a sweet and pleasant aroma. It helps facilitate a soothing atmosphere. It’s an adaptogenic or balancing oil. In other words, it does what the body needs it to do. It boosts stamina and energy levels, and promotes sleep, and relieves pain.

Vanilla

Vanilla is also highly popular.

It’s got a lovely scent and plays nice with other essential oils if you’re into combining them. It’s vital to note that pure Vanilla essential oil that’s for sale is not a natural extract. It’s often mixed with another compound. It’s often diluted with a carrier oil such as Jojoba oil.

Eucalyptus

Doctors have been using Eucalyptus oil since 1788.

The tree from which it’s extracted is native to Australia, but the oil is used the world over to treat a variety of conditions. It has many anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.

It’s great for respiratory conditions, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and pain relief. (source)

Spent some great family time in the #hottub today, essential oils diffused and #lavender added to the hot tub, time to relax with a glass of #prosecco! #EnglandHour #family #essentialoils #therapeutic #naturalremedies pic.twitter.com/QSTzdkuKCl

— Paul Brown (@paul24677) May 6, 2018

Can you put aromatherapy crystals in a hot tub?

Aromatherapy crystals are safe to use in a hot tub as they are typically oil-free. While they are sodium-based and contain magnesium, the levels are well below those of Epsom salts and are safe to use in chlorinated water.

They come in a variety of alluring colors and have unique and lovely aromas. They do not affect the chemistry of your tub’s water and do not leave an oily residue.

Lavender Palmarosa is one I strongly recommend from Amazon.

It’s an all-natural crystal that sets one’s mood, arouses emotion, and relaxes the state of one’s mind. It’s anti-inflammatory and relieves stress. It’s safe to use and leaves no oily residue.

On Amazon, it has over 100 reviews, and most are 5-star! Just click that link to check the current price on Amazon.

Conclusion

We looked at whether it’s okay to use essential oils in your hot tub.

It’s not okay!

We also explored the kind of oils that can be used in a bathtub and how you can make your tub smell better. We looked at what happens when essential oils and water are mixed. We also explored why you should not use Epsom Salts in your hot tub.

And, we wrapped up by considering if aromatherapy crystals are safe to use.