2. In the necessary course of killing bacteria, your spa will use and produce corrosive airborne compounds and gases. Gases are produced by chemicals (chlorine or bromine) and ozone as a method to effectively remove bacteria and organic waste from the water. With the improvement of insulating properties of spa covers, almost all of the warm air inside the spa is isolated from the outside air. This creates a ‘thermos’-like effect which traps the corrosive gas. It is imperative that your spa get regular opportunities to ‘off-gas’; to exchange the corrosive gas trapped under the spa cover with clean fresh air. Frequent use is NOT the problem here, rather, when spas are used (and thus opened) less often, you must remember to open the cover for 10-15 minutes, 3 or 4 times each week. If you plan to travel, or expect a prolonged period of non-use, consider removing the pillows during that interval. If you find that you are an infrequent user, consider having your ozone generator disconnected.

3. Shocking the spa periodically is a necessity to keep the water safe. Spa manufacturers realize that exposure to shock treatment is tough on the pillows, and recommend that the pillows be removed every time you shock. Shocking produces a burst of the corrosive gasses and acids discussed above. Removing the pillows is a time consuming proposition, and many consumers will not go to that effort. If you really want to extend the life of the pillows, consider this option. Most importantly, be sure that when you do shock the spa you leave the cover off for at least 15 minutes to allow the corrosive gases to escape.
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