Water Looks Cloudy or Has an Odour
Your ice bath water should be clear. If it has turned cloudy, discoloured, or developed a smell, this is a maintenance issue, not a fault with the system. It is telling you something needs attention.
The three most common causes of cloudy water are the filter not being cleaned often enough, users not showering before getting in, and the water not being changed frequently enough. In most cases it is a combination of all three. Work through the checks below and the water quality will improve.
Start here
1. Clean the filter.
Open the rear access panel, remove the filter using the black filter key, and rinse it thoroughly under a tap. If the mesh is visibly clogged with debris, oils, or residue, swap it for one of the spare filters included with your unit. A blocked filter means particles are staying in the water instead of being caught, and it also restricts water flow past the UV light, reducing the UV’s ability to keep the water clean.
2. Think about when the water was last changed.
For residential use, we recommend a full water change approximately once a month. If it has been longer than that, a water change is the simplest fix. Drain the bath, refill with fresh water, and clean the filter at the same time. For commercial installations with high daily usage, water should be changed more frequently.
3. Are users showering before getting in?
Body oils, sunscreen, deodorant, moisturiser, and sweat are the biggest contributors to water discolouration. Even a brief rinse under a shower before each session makes a significant difference to how long your water stays clear. This is especially important in households or commercial settings where multiple people use the bath each day.
If the water has a green tint or green residue on the walls
A green tint or green residue on the inside walls of the bath is algae. This can develop when the bath is left uncovered outdoors for extended periods, when the filter is blocked and water circulation is reduced, or when the water has not been changed in a long time.
4. Drain, scrub, and refill.
A simple water change is not enough if algae has formed. Drain the bath completely. Scrub the inside walls with a soft brush or cloth to remove all green residue. Rinse thoroughly. Then refill with fresh water and clean or replace the filter before restarting the chiller. Once the bath is refilled and the chiller is running with a clean filter, the UV-C light and circulation system will keep the fresh water clean.
A note on water source quality
The quality of the water you fill the bath with matters. In countries like Singapore, Australia, the UK, and most of Europe, tap water is treated and clean from the source. In these locations, the UV filtration and regular maintenance should keep your water clear without any additives.
In locations like Bali and parts of Southeast Asia, the water supply can vary significantly. Some properties use well water or ground water that is naturally higher in minerals, sediment, or organic matter. If your water source is not clear coming out of the tap, it will not be clear in your ice bath either.
5. If your water source is poor quality, add hydrogen peroxide at each water change.
Add 100ml of 25% hydrogen peroxide when you refill the bath. This gives the UV filtration system additional support in keeping the water clear between changes. This is not necessary in locations where the tap water is clean, but it is recommended in areas with lower quality water supply. Hydrogen peroxide is safe, chemical-free in the traditional sense, and breaks down into water and oxygen. It will not damage the bath or the chiller.
If the water keeps going cloudy after a fresh change and clean filter
6. Check the UV light is working.
Look through the clear filter housing on the chiller while it is running. You should see a faint blue or purple glow. This is the UV-C disinfection light. If there is no glow, the bulb may have reached the end of its life and needs replacing. The UV bulb lasts approximately 14,000 operating hours, which is roughly 2 years for most residential users. If your unit is less than 2 years old, the UV bulb is unlikely to be the issue. Contact our support team and we will help you identify what else may be causing the problem.
Quick summary. Clean the filter, change the water monthly, shower before use, use the lid when the bath is not in use, and add hydrogen peroxide if your local water quality is poor. Follow these steps consistently and your water should stay clear between changes. If you are doing all of this and still experiencing issues, contact our support team with a photo of the water and the filter and we will advise.
Email hello@icebaths.com
