Hot Tub Daily To Help Holiday Stress

The hustle and bustle of shopping, traveling and the joy of the holidays are here, surrounding us with noise and stress at every turn. With all of the pressure of finding the perfect gift and making sure you get all your holiday baking done, there has to be a place you can enjoy and go to for relief and relaxation. Stress accumulates when you are way too busy to get everything done, or cannot find an extra minute to just relax. If the holiday stress is becoming too much to bear, we have the perfect answer for you...a hot tub of course!

Relax in a hot tub daily to help relieve stress and allow yourself to actually enjoy the holidays this year. You should make time everyday for quality time with friends and family in the hot tub, as well as help relieve stress and improve your health. Here are some creative ways to use your hot tub during these crazy holiday months:

New Years Eve Party...in the Hot Tub
The most amazing way to ring in the New Year is in a hot tub with your closest friends and family. You will be starting the New Year on the right track for health, relaxation and quality time with friends and those you love most.

Family Get-Together...in the Hot Tub
There are so many different activities pulling your family in so many different directions that you barely get to spend enough time together. Allow your family a hot tub get-together to catch up, relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Turn on the Romance...in the Hot Tub
Grab your guy or gal and head to the hot tub for some TLC. Leave a sexy note for your love and have them meet you in the hot tub. Have some romantic music on in the background and light some candles to set the mood!

Muscle & Joint Therapy...in the Hot Tub
Warm water helps soothe tired muscles and joints. A hot tub is an amazing way to reduce swelling and help soothe any sore muscles. This is a perfect option for people affected by arthritis or fibromyalgia. You can also use water as resistance to help you build up your strength.

A Man Alone in His Thoughts...in the Hot Tub
Taking a moment for yourself to think and enjoy stargazing and relaxing is one of the best things you can do for yourself during these stressful times. A moment of complete solitude in the hot tub, allowing you to get away and just relax.

Slow down and enjoy one of the creative options above to just relax and enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from www.spasandstuff.com, your factory direct hot tub source.

The Hottest Hot Tub Accessories

With the holidays right around the corner, you begin to rack your brain with ideas on what to get everyone. How about that hot tub or spa lover in your life? Does your sister and her family love spending quality time together in the spa? Does your dad relax and reap the health benefits in his hot tub? Fresh and updated spa and hot tub accessories are the perfect gift to get that person who truly enjoys their hot tub.

There are many new hot tub accessories on the market and we wanted to point out the hottest five hot tub accessories for the big upcoming holiday season:

1) Spa Cover Lifters – these are getting more and more popular as an easy way to remove the cover on your hot tub with ease. Removing and storing your hot tub cover is a breeze with some of these amazing lifts. Not only will a cover lift save your aching back, but also it will lengthen the life of your hot tub spa cover by reducing the wear and tear from dragging it on and off your spa.

2) Spa Steps – wooden steps can offer an easy way to get in and out of the hot tub with ease, while adding some style and sophistication to your spa. These steps are durable and come in a variety of woods, colors and materials. They are also available in multiple tiers depending on your preference and spa height.

3) Redwood Spa Accessories – Quality redwood hot tub and spa accessories are a must for the spa owner looking for stools, seats, tables and more. Redwood ranks highest in dimensional stability, which means it splits less, warps less, twists less and shrinks less. Redwood also holds paint better, and is virtually free of sticky pitch pockets and resins. Redwood is naturally decay resistant, which means it does not have to be treated with possibly toxic chemicals to last for years outdoors. Redwood hot tub spa accessories are unsurpassed in natural beauty, are environmentally friendly and contain no petroleum-based products. Redwood stays cool to the touch in the summer heat, provides excellent footing when wet and has centuries of proven performance in outdoor conditions. They offer a great accessory to add to any hot tub.

4) Spa Side Umbrella – these large umbrellas are perfect for a variety of environments, including warmer climates or for use during the summer, as well as colder or rainy climates to help protect you from the elements. They are beautiful, easy to use and are very space efficient. This makes a perfect gift for those with cabin hot tubs in rainy or snowy climates that use them all year long.

5) Bars, coolers and SpasAndStuff.com’s tumblers and ice bucket – these accessories are perfect for the entertaining spa owner that loves to throw social get-togethers around the hot tub. People can enjoy sitting at a bar, on bar stools, while keeping the beer cold in the cooler. These accessories are perfect to make their next social gathering a great success.

There are so many fabulous accessories available for the hot tub lover in your life. Visit SpasAndStuff.com for a variety of sizes, materials, and options to find that person the perfect addition to their spa. They won’t be disappointed!

Hot Tub Therapy in the Snow

As fall begins to take over and the warm days of summer are slowly disappearing, everyone begins to pull out their winter gear and anything that makes them think of warmer days. Your hot tub should be one of the main focuses of getting ready for winter, as it offers a supreme winter escape from the cold weather and snowy conditions. Using your hot tub in the snow is one of the greatest times to enjoy all of the amazing, warm, soothing health benefits of owning a hot tub.

Many people particularly look forward to using their hot tub or outdoor spa during the cold months. You can find snowy hot tub pictures in our customer pictures section. While this time might be one of the most enjoyable to use your hot tub, there are some things you can do to prepare it to ensure it operates properly in snowy conditions. You want to ensure your hot tub has the maximum energy efficiency, especially if you live in an area that has freezing conditions.

One of the main things you can do to protect your hot tub in the snow is to prevent the water from freezing in the piping system. This can cause major damage and is easily preventable. Most portable hot tubs and spas have a system that is designed to prevent the water from freezing in the pipes. Modern hot tubs have a freeze protection system built in. It typically functions by turning the pumps on and circulating the water if the system senses the water temperature is too cold. The circulating water should not freeze and your pipes will be protected until a service technician can repair the cause of your hot tub water not heating.

Despite the icy and cold conditions, there are ways you can help your hot tub remain energy efficient. The colder the temperatures are outside, the longer it will take to heat up the spa. At www.spasandstuff.com, we sell hot tubs that are perfect for Northern snowy climates. With high R-Value expansion foam in the hot tub cabinet, and a thick cover to hold the heat in your spa, they are very energy efficient and should not be a big cost on your energy bill.

One of the best things you can invest in is a quality insulating cover. Make sure you remove any standing snow on the cover during the day, as they are not meant to hold excessive weight. If you have ever shoveled a driveway you know that snow gets heavy! We sell the perfect tapered cover, as they are tapered for rain and snow runoff. Hot tub replacement covers can be a great investment if you live in a snowy climate. Old, heavy, water-logged covers have very little insulating value.

We suggest cleaning your spa prior to the cold, snowy months, which will help get you through until the end of winter. So take these easy steps to winter ready your hot tub and you will be enjoying one of the most exhilarating moments of being a hot tub owner—sitting in the spa while the snow falls around you.

How To Find the Right Hot Tub The First Time

It can be a daunting process to find the right hot tub once you decide to make that big leap. You want to make sure you get the right one, and don’t get a headache in the process. Here we will give you some tips on how not to get soaked when buying a hot tub, and find the right one the first time.

Tip 1 – Find a hot tub dealer that will help you with questions AFTER you buy the hot tub, not just before you get it. This is one of the most important parts of buying a hot tub, and make sure you find a dealer that you can trust. You want a company that will help you with water tips and advice, even after you set up the hot tub and begin enjoying your first soak, to make sure you will be happy for many years to come. Don’t fall for pressure at a random location, but make sure to do your homework and find someone that has a strong standing business with good referrals or reviews.

Tip 2 - Be weary of expensive add-ons and shipping costs when buying your hot tub. SpasAndStuff.com offers free shipping on all of its hot tubs, taking care of one of those costs that can add up in the hot tub buying process.

Tip 3 – Don’t buy a hot tub at a fair or carnival, where you see allegedly great deals and extremely pushy salespeople. You need to do your research before you make this big purchase, and be able to ask a knowledgeable person about hot tubs, costs and cleaning. Fairs do not offer this. Also, they are normally run by companies that move onto the next fair the next day, leaving you with a lot of questions and no one to call.

Final Tip – Don’t buy your hot tub on craigslist. Sure, you could get lucky and think it’s a great deal. The problem is the reason people are selling their hot tubs on craigslist.com is because they make be really expensive to heat or they cannot get the water clean and clear. Don’t let their lemon become your lemon.

We have many, many clients that say their hot tub was one of their best purchases, and it will offer them benefits for years to come. They are always welcome to contact us if they have nay questions, as we are here to help and ensure you are happy with your purchase. If you have any current hot tub questions, please contact us to discuss how we may be able to help.

Hot Tubs with your College Logo - Now THAT is School Pride

It started with hats and sweatshirts. Then bumper stickers, license plate frames and key chains. Now it has moved to grills, car wraps, flags you hang on your house to even hot tubs. Yes, hot tubs. College logo hot tubs are popping up all over the nation, bringing a whole new meaning to hot tub tailgating before the game. These logo spas allow die-hard fans to really show their school spirit, with new social get-togethers that involve watching the football game while sitting in a hot tub covered with your teams colors and their logo sprawled out across the side.

College football fans can be complete maniacs. Painted faces, season tickets handed down from generation to generation, and tailgating gear that makes even the party hardy college students look like beginners. Some of these guys are professionals, established with a family, but still ready to bleed their college school colors each time the football hits the turf. And boy do we have the next toy to introduce you to.

Everyone will want to hang out with you once you have one of these logo hot tubs in your backyard….or even better, if you can figure out a way to get this to the parking lot of the stadium legally.

College logo hot tubs are suddenly all the rage. With a limited number of only the die-hard college sports team getting the honor of one of these, hot tubs with college logos and names belong in every die-hard sports fan’s backyard, basement or limo headed to the next football game. These LogoTubz are portable, making them easy to move and set up a many different locations. When drained, they only weigh about 120 pounds. They are easy to install, easy to maintain and energy efficient. Sounds like the next best birthday or Christmas present for the sports fan in your life.

Head over to SpasAndStuff.com for the best deal on your LogoTub portable hot tub, and let us know if you want to see a hot tub with your team’s logo on one next!!

Cooling Down in Hot Tubs

The hot weather has arrived around the country, and many hot tub owners discontinue use of their spa during the summer months. SpasAndStuff.com thinks they are missing out on an amazing opportunity to enjoy your hot tub even when it is over 100 degrees outside. Hot tubs can be the best place to cool off during the hot summer months.

Hot tub owners can do a few things to keep the water cooler in the summer months. Start by turning the temperature down below 85 degrees. Your heater won't even cycle on. You can also remove the cover, turn on the jets on low, with the air flow open, and the hot tub should cool down a bit, at least to the level of ambient air temperature. To maintain the colder water, keep your hot tub covered on hot days so the sun doesn’t directly heat the the spa water. If possible, you may uncover your spa during the night to take advantage of the cooling effect of the cooler night air.

When it’s all said and done, you have a miniature soaking pool that is easier to maintain, and is the perfect size for a refreshing soak if you don’t have the space for a large, costly in-ground pool.

Another great benefit of cooling down your hot tub is the cost savings. Since you are setting your spa temperature very low, your spa heater will probably not cycle on at all, significantly reducing the monthly cost of electricity to run your hot tub. So as soon as the temperatures rise, run out to your hot tub and great ready for "summer mode." A cool hot tub, some ice cold lemonade and your closest friends and family sound like the perfect summer investment to me.

Just another reason to jump on the bandwagon and buy one of the great hot tubs from SpasAndStuff.com! With the numerous uses for a spa, you are truly running out of excuses, aren’t you? Let’s enjoy a refreshed, invigorating experience, while staying cool during the dog days of summer.

Salt Water Hot Tubs are more Popular than Ever.

Salt-water hot tubs are all the rage!! This very popular and growing trend is virtually chemical-free. Many clients ask us questions about the difference between salt-water hot tubs and regular chlorine hot tubs. We are here to clear the fog about these hot tubs, and why they might be the right choice for you!

The following are some of the differences between a salt-water hot tub and a conventional, chlorine-based tub:

• Our Salt-water hot tubs use Bromine instead of chlorine, which has fewer odors, a more neutral smell and tends to be less harsh on the skin and eyes. 
• The water feels better. Saltwater spas are much like soft water and it seems they may be less drying to the skin.
• Salt-water can actually be better for your spa since you do not have to use powders to clean it. Since the Bromine keeps it clean and bacteria free, fewer harsh cleaning agents are required for regular upkeep.
• Hardware on chlorine hot tubs may face more risk of corrosion when exposed to sunlight, than on Bromine sanitized spas. This occurs in only certain conditions if the unit is placed in a sunny area, please keep this in mind.

A few skeptics have compared salt-water hot tubs to the ocean. The salt in a salt water hot tub is only 1500 to 2100 ppm of sodium, while the ocean has tens of thousands of ppm of salt.

SpasAndStuff.com offers the Gecko in.clear® salt bromine generator that uses sodium bromide to produce free bromine in spa water using a chemical reaction similar to that used in a saltwater chlorine generator. A big feature of the bromine salt generator is that the salt content in the water is much less than a salt chlorine generator. With the in.clear® system, it is around 1,400 ppm, compared to a salt chlorine generator system, which is more than 2,000 ppm. The lowered salt level is an important benefit because not only is it a less expensive option, but it also reduces the potential for corrosion, which is a concern in saltwater environments under certain conditions.

So if you're planning to buy a saltwater hot tub, saltwater spa, check out our options at Spas And Stuff, where every day is a Sale!

Make Your Hot Tub Cover Last

Hot tub covers can help save you money, as well as time on cleaning. You should always cover your hot tub or spa when it is not in use, and also when you are warming it to conserve energy and warm the hot tub quicker. Take care of the hot tub cover and it will last for many years.

The following are some useful tips from www.spasandstuff.com to help your new replacement spa cover last:

• If you are in warmer climates or a sunny state, a quality UVA/UVB vinyl protectant is mandatory to ensure your cover if protected from the scorching sun. Just as you would protect your skin, your hot tub needs sunscreen too! Apply the protectant three to four times a year to help save the cover from the damaging rays of the sun. Do not use Armor All brand protectants since they contain petroleum distillates and can damage vinyl over the long-term. A quality soap or marine application protectant is good and will help preserve your cover.

• If you use Bromine in your hot tub, try to keep the level used to a minimum as the gas can cause peeling on the underside of your spa cover. It will also make the cover brittle and fall apart quicker.

• Leave your cover open or completely off for an entire jet run cycle of at least 15 to 20 minutes so the expelled gasses can escape each time you shock the spa. This will help protect the underside of your cover as well. It will also help clear the water for clarity and cleanliness. No one wants to enjoy a murky hot tub!

• Always inspect the cover for cuts or holes in the vinyl, especially if they are breaching the inner plastic vapor barrier. This plastic envelopes the foam core, helping keep the cover dry and in tip top shape. Even a small hole in the cover will allow moisture to slowly seep in and the cover will get heavier and heavier. Once the Styrofoam becomes saturated and heavy, it is ruined and does not have much of an R-Value. In order to fix the plastic, make sure the cover is dry and you can use good quality clear postal mailing tape to seal the hole back up. Keep an eye to confirm this area stays dry every time you use the hot tub.

• Finally, you can remove the foam cores in the cover (most zipper out at the hinge) to flip them over. Once you put them back in, this should help reverse a sag in the cover if you have one. You could do this once a year (or twice a year if your hot tub is seven feet or bigger). This is a great time to also inspect the plastic vinyl cover for any additional holes and repair those as well.

We hope these tips help you preserve your new replacement hot tub cover. If your cover has various holes and needs to be replaced, we have many hot tub replacement covers with free shipping to choose from at www.SpasAndStuff.com.

Enjoying Your Hot Tub in the Rain

Spring showers bring fun adventures in hot tubs, as long as your hot tub is equipped to be enjoyed during the weather elements. One of my favorite moments in a hot spa tub is to enjoy it in the rain, without a cover. I know, I know…what about my hair? But who worries about their hair in the hot tub?

Whenever I see the rain clouds, I secretly smile as I know my afternoon will have the ultimate of relaxation in store for me. As it begins to sprinkle, I climb into the portable hot tub, allowing the cool, soothing raindrops to fall on me as the hot tub keeps me warm and cozy. At that moment, life could not get any better.

Many of you probably find comfort in the sound of rain, but would not enjoy the rain splashing in your face as you try to relax with some hydrotherapy in your home hot tub. For those of you who fall into this category, there are a plethora of options to protect you from the elements while allowing you to enjoy the soothing sound of raindrops. With April showers upon us, hot tubs and rain go hand and hand as both provide the calming sounds and feelings of relaxation.

Hot tub enclosures can be great for those with extremely bad weather elements as well. Spa umbrellas are a perfect accessory for your SpasAndStuff.com hot tub. While under the umbrella, you can still enjoy the sound of the rain without having to get your hair wet! Remember…a hot tub can turn any day, rain or shine, into a relaxing and enjoyable experience right in your backyard.

The Art of Buying a Hot Tub

As the snow begins to melt and the “spring forward” clocks move us out of winter and into the thawing months, our minds always go racing towards hot tubs. This is my favorite time of the year to relax in the hottub outside. When it is still cold enough that the outside air forces you to jump into the warm draw of the steam, but not too cold that your feet disappear in snow as soon as you get out, somehow a hot tub just feels perfect right about now.

Springtime. Spring-cleaning gives you the opportunity to make changes and get rid of those things that you no longer use. It might also make you begin to plan for summer, when you will be entertaining and having friends and family members over for back yard bar-b-ques. A hottub is the perfect gift to give yourself for all of that hard labor. Hot tubs are the ultimate "prescription" for relaxation and relieving stress after your spring cleaning.

The following are several key things to consider when planning to buy a hot tub for your backyard:

• Consider investing in a model with stereo and speakers built into the unit. Although it might add a bit to the hot tub price, the frustration of elaborate wiring and extension cords to get your stereo to play outside is something worth missing. Plus the quality of the sound is excellent. There is a remote control on the top side of the hot tub to change the volume, channels and everything else without having to leave the comfort of your soak. 
• LED lighting is also something to consider. These are normally small lights around the top of the hottub that beautify your relaxation experience. They can lock on a single color or change colors, but they also make the hot tub easier to use when it is dark outside. A win-win situation for everyone because these LED lights are completely pre-wired into your portable hottub, versus trying to wire rope stringed lights around your hot tub.
• Additional things to consider are hot tub and spa accessories. You can also purchase a hot tub cover lifter to make opening and closing the hottub a one person job. You may want to add a set of storage steps, a towel tree, or a freestanding bar with bar stools to make your portable hot tub experience one to remember. Drink caddy anyone? 

So now that your house is clean and you are exhausted from vacuuming the house all day, head over to SpasAndStuff.com to purchase a gift that never stops giving…a portable hottub! Then you can reward yourself with unlimited amounts of relaxation time, anytime you want to. You deserve a portable hot tub!

A Hot Tub or Spa for Romance

February is the time of year, as we approach Valentine’s Day, that we start thinking about how we can add a little romance to our lives. Oftentimes, celebrating this most intimate of holidays, we go out of our way to spoil and indulge our significant others in a way we can both feel pampered.

When it comes to toasting champagne, a popular way to do so is in the comfort of a spa or hot tub that is a prominent feature of the luxury suites thousands of Americans rent in hotels and resorts every year. Just think…candle light, a delicious meal, soothing music, a relaxing atmosphere, and the comfort of a warm soak and pulsating jets to get the mood set just right. Sound enticing?

So why not bring this fun home with you, and spark up spontaneous romance any time you want? You most certainly can with spas and hot tubs from SpasAndStuff.com! After all, what better way to give your loved-one the gift of romance than to give it all year round.

And if you already own a hot tub, make sure it is clean and the water is balanced for your special night. Spasandstuff.com offers head cushions, towel holders and racks, an amazing selection of spa steps, drink caddys for your wine or beer, replacement spa and hot tub covers and much, much more. Make the night memorable with soft music and a nice bottle of wine. Once you begin relaxing in the hot tub, it will surely be a Valentine’s Day night to remember!

Hot Tub Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are all the rage every year. And every year, they are forgotten by February 1st. We at SpasAndStuff.com think resolutions need to be more fun. So the following are our version of your top five New Year Resolutions for Hot Tub Owners, or those planning to buy a hot tub:

1. In 2011, we will not try to fit more than 12 people in the hot tub at one time. Big crowds equal big messes, so try to limit your hot tub guests to the nearest and dearest in the New Year. You never really liked your cousin Bobby that much anyway. 
2. I will replace any old hot tub parts before they completely break. If you see something wearing down, replace it before it begins causing bigger problems somewhere else.
3. Cleanliness is important for any hot tub to be happy. Hot tubs love being taken care of. And they get awfully mad when they are dirty. So make sure you rinse and change your filters every often.
4. Cover your hot tub when it is not in use. For one, you don’t want your hot tub to get dirty during its down time. See #3. And two, you don’t want any Hot Tub Gang Members to use your tub when you are not home.
5. Use and abuse your hot tub this year. Use the hot tub during parties, when you get home from a hard work out, when you need some serious relaxation time and for a nice evening with your wife or girlfriend. Hot tubs were bought to be used so enjoy it with every last ounce of joy in 2011.

We would love to hear any additional hot tub resolutions you can provide. If you are planning to buy a hot tub, have any questions about your hot tub, or need hot tub or need spa accessories, please visit us at SpasAndStuff.com.