Ice baths provide a host of health and recovery benefits, from reducing inflammation to improving circulation. However, to reap the full rewards, it’s essential to keep your icy water clean and free of contaminants.
Dirty water can harbor bacteria, which can lead to infections or illness if absorbed through the skin or accidentally ingested. Maintaining clean ice bath water also provides a more pleasant experience.
Luckily, with a bit of diligence and the right accessories, maintaining fresh, hygienic ice bath water is easy.
In this guide, we’ll cover simple habits like rinsing off before use, handy tools like skimming nets, and effective sanitizing solutions to help you keep your ice bath pristine.
Implementing just a few of these tips will ensure your cold plunges remain invigorating, safe, and hygienic.
1. Rinse Off First
To prolong the cleanliness of your ice bath water, be sure to rinse off beforehand. A quick lukewarm shower can remove dirt, sweat, and bacteria from your skin. It also opens pores to wash away oils.
Showering is especially important after intense workouts or athletic events when you tend to accumulate more grime and perspiration.
Entering the ice bath with clean skin prevents contaminating the water with excess dirt and oils.
2. Wear Shoes
For outdoor ice baths, wearing water shoes or sandals will help minimize what gets tracked into your tub. Since you’ll likely walk across grass, dirt, or concrete to access your cold plunge, debris and dust can collect on your bare feet.
Protect your ice bath by wearing footwear outside and removing it before stepping into the water.
3. Keep the Area Around Your Tub Clean
Maintaining a tidy space around your ice bath is key to preventing contamination. Outdoors, keep the ground cover free of leaves, grass clippings, spider webs, overhanging plants, and other debris that could blow or drip into the water.
Indoors, regularly sweep and mop floors to prevent dust and dirt buildup that may splash into the bath. Also wipe down nearby walls, counters, and surfaces.
Just a few minutes of regularly tidying and cleaning the area around your ice bath helps prevent grime from entering the water.
4. Use a Skimming Net
Using a skimming net makes it easy to remove hair, insects, leaves, and other debris floating in your tub. Gently run the net across the water’s surface and bottom to collect anything settled or suspended.
We recommend skimming at least weekly, if not before each use. For outdoor tubs, skim more often when plants are flowering/shedding. Remove anything the net picks up, rinse it, and store it away from your bath between uses.
Skimming takes seconds and keeps water free of contaminants.
5. Use a Cover
Outdoor tubs should be covered when not in use to prevent dirt, leaves, pollen, and pests from entering the water. Covers are also important for safety reasons – they prevent small children or animals from accidentally falling into your tub.
Keeping it covered when unattended will help maintain clean and safe ice bathing conditions.
6. Use a Water Chiller & Filter
Chillers with built-in water filters are useful for keeping ice baths clean. The filtration system constantly circulates and filters the water as it cools, trapping any particles or sediment. This removes contaminants and maintains fresh, clean water for each use.
Chillers simplify maintenance while providing crystal-clear water every time and are convenient for both indoor and outdoor baths.
Check out our collection of ice bath water chillers to find one right for you.
7. Add Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly way to sanitize your ice bath water. As an oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide introduces extra oxygen which inhibits bacterial growth. It also acts as a mild disinfectant, breaking down organic contaminants.
For ice baths, use food-grade 35% hydrogen peroxide diluted in water. About 1/2 – 1 cup of peroxide per full tub of water helps keep water clean and free of harmful germs. It’s a chlorine-free alternative to keep your cold plunges hygienic.
8. Other Water Treatments
Maintaining clean ice bath water goes beyond just using hydrogen peroxide. Additional water treatments can further disinfect and improve the quality of the water.
Water stabilizers and sanitizers are excellent options for reducing calcium buildup, balancing pH, and controlling bacteria and odors without irritating skin or eyes.
Look for mineral-based formulas like Sirona Spa Care Sanitizer or Ice Barrel Stabilize that don’t contain chlorine.
While chlorine and bromine can disinfect, they may irritate skin. For an ice bath focused on health, natural sanitizers are best. Avoid introducing unnecessary chemicals.
9. Check pH Levels
To keep your ice bath water fresh and free of contaminants, focus on monitoring and adjusting the pH level, sanitizing regularly, and filtering appropriately.
Test the pH level of your bath water every few days using test strips or a digital meter. The ideal pH for an ice bath falls between 7.2 – 7.8, as this slightly alkaline environment helps inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, mold, and algae.
If the reading skews too acidic or basic, use a pH-balancing product to gently nudge it back toward neutral. Products like Sirona Spa Up or Spa Down make safe, effective additives.
10. Install a UV Sterilizer
UV sterilizers provide an effective, low-maintenance way to keep ice baths and cold plunge water free of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. They work by utilizing UV-C light, which contains enough energy to kill microbes as water circulates through the sterilizer.
Some cold plunge tubs come equipped with built-in UV units that automatically sanitize the water. Standalone UV units can also easily be added to DIY tubs.
Using UV sterilization can reduce or even eliminate the need for chemical disinfectants like chlorine. The technology is effective for both indoor and outdoor setups when paired with proper filtration methods.
Though UV sterilizers require an initial investment, they can lead to long-term savings from reduced chemical costs. They are also low maintenance, with only occasional bulb replacement needed and no chemical handling required.
With powerful disinfecting capabilities and ease of use, UV sterilizers are an optimal, eco-friendly solution for keeping ice baths and cold plunge water pristine.
11. Use an Ozone Purifier
Ozone purifiers are an effective way to keep ice bath water hygienic and free of contaminants. They work by generating ozone gas, a powerful disinfectant that can eliminate bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms in the water.
To use an ozone purifier, you need an ozone generator and a water circulation system like a pump or chiller. The ozone gas gets infused into the circulating water, oxidizing and destroying any organic contaminants. This maintains cleanliness and prevents the buildup of microbes or biofilm in the ice bath.
Ozone systems come in various sizes and capacities to suit different needs. Basic ozone generators can cost as little as $20, while heavy-duty systems with enhanced features may cost several hundred dollars. It’s important to select the right capacity purifier for your ice bath size.
While highly effective, ozone gas can be hazardous if inhaled in high concentrations. Proper ventilation and safety precautions are critical when using these systems.
12. Change Water Regularly
While the above methods prolong cleanliness, replacing water periodically remains essential. Visual cues like cloudiness, odor, debris, or oily sheen also indicate it’s time for a refresh.
We’ll cover more on when to change your water and how often below (see How Often to Change Water).
With the right maintenance habits, keeping your ice bath clean doesn’t require much effort. Implementing even just a few of these tips will help preserve the purity of your icy-cold waters.
How Often to Change Ice Bath Water
The frequency with which you should change your cold plunge or ice bath water depends on how often you take ice baths, the environment where your ice bath is located, your current methods for keeping the tub clean, and your personal preferences.
Ideally, you should change your ice bath water every 2-4 weeks. If you take proper care of your tub using methods like using a chiller and filter, you may be able to go 2-4 months between water changes.
Signs that it is time to change your ice bath water include:
- Cloudy or discolored water, indicates contaminants and debris have accumulated over time. Particles from your body, dirt, skin cells, and other contaminants can build up and make the water appear murky.
- A foul odor, whereas an ice bath should smell clean and neutral. An unpleasant or foul smell means bacteria or other contaminants are likely present.
- Visible debris or contaminants floating in the water or gathered at the bottom of the tub, such as hair, skin cells, dirt particles, or other contaminants.
- Excessive foam or bubbles on the surface of the water, can signify high levels of contaminants like body oils, cosmetics or dirt. An ice bath should not be foamy.
- The water temperature not dropping as expected, indicating contaminant buildup and biological growth that reduce heat transfer and cooling efficiency.
It is essential to monitor the water quality and change it as needed to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
How To Deep Clean an Ice Bath
Proper cleaning and maintenance is crucial for keeping your ice bath in top shape. A comprehensive cleaning between each water change will help remove bacteria, prevent buildup, and keep your tub looking fresh.
Follow these key steps:
- Drain and Remove Debris: Completely drain all water from the tub and remove any remaining ice, leaves, or other debris.
- Clean Interior Surfaces: Use a soft sponge, cloth, or non-abrasive brush to scrub the interior walls and bottom surface with a mild eco-friendly soap or detergent and warm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Remove Tough Buildup: For tough stains or buildup, make a paste of baking soda and water. Let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Spray hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar solution, or other natural disinfectant on all surfaces. Let sit before wiping down.
- Clean Exterior: Clean exterior surfaces with a multi-surface natural cleaner. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
- Inspect and Reseal: Check seals around the tub carefully for any cracks or damage. Reapply food-grade sealant if needed.
- Remove Mineral Deposits: For hard water spots or mineral deposits, use undiluted white vinegar. Spray liberally and let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Scrub Crevices: Use a small brush or cotton swabs to meticulously clean crevices, joints, or any difficult-to-reach spots.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the entire tub thoroughly with clean water 2-3 times to eliminate any soap or cleaning product residue.
- Dry and Store Properly: Allow the tub to completely air dry in a clean area before refilling.
With some diligent cleaning and care, your ice bath will stay fresh and ready for use. Be sure to inspect, reseal, and make any necessary repairs. Follow these tips and enjoy a like-new tub every time!
Need Help? We’re Here for You!
Have questions about cold water therapy products or maintaining your ice bath? At Plunge Junkies, we’re passionate about helping you achieve your cold therapy goals. Our team of experts is ready to assist with any queries you might have.
Whether you need product recommendations, maintenance tips, or advice on your cold therapy routine, we’re here to provide quick and knowledgeable support. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re always happy to help fellow cold therapy enthusiasts!
Final Thoughts
The healing powers of an ice bath are well worth the effort to keep the water clean. Don’t let maintenance be a barrier – with some simple habits and accessories, you can easily maintain a hygienic plunge.
Focus on prevention first with habits like rinsing off and wearing shoes. Enlist handy tools like skimmers and covers to remove debris before it becomes an issue. And don’t shy away from effective disinfectants like UV and ozone to inhibit bacterial growth.
The goal is to avoid contaminating the tub in the first place. But when in doubt, change it out – fresh water is the ultimate refresher. Stay vigilant, but don’t stress. With a routine of simple habits, your ice bath can remain a safe, soothing oasis.
