SALES of hot tubs are up 1,080 per cent on eBay as homeowners splash out on their gardens.
But while they may be gallons of fun, they are not the easiest or cheapest garden accessory to look after.
I spoke to Paul Margerison of hot tub specialist outdoorliving.co.uk to get his advice on picking the right one and how best to take care of it.
CHOOSE WISELY: I wanted to know which would cost less overall, between an inflatable and an acrylic hot tub.
Paul said: “Acrylic hot tubs are built to last five to 20-plus years, although they are considered a higher initial investment, they will be more cost-effective in the long run. The lack of insulation is a real cost burner when it comes to inflatable hot tubs.”
My tip: It’s all about your budget, how long you’re in your home and whether you rent or own.
Want to bag a tub at a bargain price? Aldi and Lidl run limited-edition sales.
You can also use price-comparison sites and price-history sites to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
FILTERS: For an acrylic tub, Paul advises cleaning your filters at least once a week and replacing them every 12 months. For an inflatable tub, the filters should be replaced every 2-3 weeks.
My tip: Buy a pack of 12 Lay-Z Spa filters for £27 at amazon.co.uk, that’s cheaper than buying individual twin packs for £7.99 each. Invest in a cover for your hot tub – this not only keeps dirt out but helps to keep the water insulated.
DRAINING: “The water usually will need changing every four to six weeks in an inflatable, whereas for an acrylic it’s every three to four months, depending on hot tub usage,” Paul said.
My tip: The hot tub water contains harmful chemicals, so don’t just drain it on to your grass. You can bag the Hardcastle Electric Fully Submersible Pump from amazon.co.uk for £35.99.
WATER SAFETY: Paul advises testing your hot tub’s water, saying: “The easiest way is to use test strips, which indicate the sanitiser, pH and total alkalinity levels of the water.”
My tip: The ClearWater Spa Starter set is perfect for hot tub beginners. Pay £32 at homebase.co.uk or head to B&M and bag it for £25.
Deal of the day
IS dad a burger fan? You should check out the Big Daddy cheeseburger, at 474g, now available at iceland.co.uk.
It costs just £3. And a 12oz sirloin steak is £5.
Cheap treat
BAG four pre-mixed cans and miniature bottles for the price of three at tesco.com. It includes Gordon’s Pink Gin & Tonic and 20cl of prosecco.
SAVE: up to £3.50
Top swap
GIVE dad a new dressing gown, but instead of paying £50 for this navy one from John Lewis, get the similar one from studio.co.uk for £12. You can even get it personalised for free.
SAVE: £38
Giselle’s Little Helper
MORRISONS has changed its £3 lunchtime meal deal to include its premium sandwich range, usually £2.75 each, as well as baguettes, sandwiches and hot rolls.
This means that if you choose a premium sandwich, you are essentially getting a drink and a snack for 25p.
My Sun Savers fiver
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lSend your Savers fiver stories to sunsavers.co.uk/fivers and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if your tip is used. Please include your name and town.
My Sun Savers fiver
KEITH RITCHIE, from Weymouth, Dorset, says: “As lockdown eases, a takeaway has become a treat. So our Fivers will be used for fish & chips.”
- Send your Savers fiver stories to sunsavers.co.uk/fivers and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if your tip is used. Please include your name and town.
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