How to Clean Your Cold Plunge

How to Clean Your Cold Plunge

Keeping your cold plunge clean ensures the water stays fresh, the chiller runs smoothly, and your investment lasts longer. Below is a step-by-step guide to properly draining, cleaning, refilling and maintaining your plunge.

1. Drain the Plunge

Start by removing the water from your plunge using the bottom outlet of your plunge:

  • If you're not already in a location where you can easily just drain your plunge, you can use the connected 5ft hose to direct the water flow by detaching it from the chiller side and running it to a floor drain or directly outside.

  • If the 5ft hose is not long enough to easily drain the cold plunge, a sump pump can be used to more easily drain the water.

  • Let the plunge fully drain before moving on.

2. Clean the Plunge

Once empty:

  1. Take the plunge outside or to an area you can clean it.

  2. Spray down the inside and outside, use dish soap and scrub gently with a sponge.

  3. Rinse thoroughly and ensure no soap suds remain. For stubborn scuff marks, use a magic eraser for a cleaner finish.

  4. Dry completely before placing the plunge back in position.

  5. Reconnect all hoses securely to the plunge and chiller.

  6. Open the shut-off valve at the bottom of the plunge so water can flow freely through the system.

3. Replace the Filter

Before refilling your plunge with clean water, this would be a good time to refresh the filter:

  1. Unscrew the clear filter housing inside the side compartment of your chiller by unscrewing clockwise.

  2. Insert a clean filter into the housing.

  3. Fill the housing completely with water until the filter bobs in place.

  4. Screw the housing back into place counterclockwise.

  5. Make sure the clear cartridge is full of water—this prevents air from getting trapped inside the lines.

4. Refill the Plunge

Begin filling with fresh water until water level is at least a foot above the bottom outlet hole of the plunge.

  1. Double-check that the shut off lever is open so water can flow freely from your plunge into the chiller. 

  2. Turn on the chiller to test for airlocks:

    • If water flows out of the top of the plunge, continue filling your plunge with water to your preferred level.

    • If no water is flowing, pause filling. With the chiller running, slightly unscrew the filter housing to allow trapped air to purge—you’ll hear water shoot through the hoses. Retighten the housing and confirm water is flowing.

    • If it still doesn’t flow, check for tangled hoses or a closed shut-off lever at the bottom of your plunge.

  3. Once water flow is established through the top hole of your plunge, fill water to your preferred level for cold plunging.

5. Add Sirona

Once your plunge is filled and water is circulating correctly:

  1. For water filled to the top hole of your HydroTub or HydroBarrel, syringe 20ml of Sirona Sanitizer (small bottle) and 60ml of the Sirona Oxidizer (large bottle) directly into the cold plunge water.

  2. Allow the solutions to circulate through the chiller for 24 hours. For the first few hours you will notice cloudy water until circulation is complete. By the next day, your plunge should be crystal clear and ready for use.

3 Step Maintenance Checklist (every 2 weeks)

Follow this maintenance routine and go months without having to replace your water. The cleaner the body when entering the plunge, the less foreign debris you will introduce into the water. It's always a good idea to hose your feet off or even rinse your body off prior to entering the plunge. 

✅ Any time you fill your plunge with clean water, syringe Sirona Sanitizer & Oxidizer. Apply Sirona every 2 weeks to get the most out of your water.

✅ Check filter and replace based on discoloration, visible debris or low water flow back into your plunge. An every 2 week filter cleaning/replacement can keep your chiller operating more efficiently and keep your water cleaner for longer. When using the shut off valve on the bottom of your plunge, changing a filter can be completed in less than 60 seconds.

✅ Ensure the green light is on between the filter and UV chamber. When the light goes off, you will need to replace the UV bulb which can be purchased on our site.

Related Articles

  • Importance of Clean Water in Cold Plunge

    For those looking for a long term solution to minimize replacing the water in your Cold Plunge, we recommend the Sirona™ Simply product line. Proper maintenance can have you going months without having to change the water in your cold plunge. 

  • Can Bacteria Grow in Cold Plunge?

    For those looking for a long term solution to minimize replacing the water in your Cold Plunge, we recommend the Sirona™ Simply product line. Proper maintenance can have you going months without having to change the water in your cold plunge. 

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    Clean water is vital for both maintaining hygiene and enhancing the overall quality of the cold plunge experience. One essential component of water maintenance is the filtration system, which uses filters with varying micron ratings. Explore the differences between 3 common micron rated filters and their effects in cold plunge systems.

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