Water Maintenance (Residential)
A guide to keeping the water in your ice bath clean and clear at home.
Who is this guide for? ‘
This guide is for residential and household users with 5 or fewer plunges per day. If you are operating in a commercial setting such as a hotel, gym, or spa, please refer to our commercial water maintenance guide or contact the team for tailored guidance.
This is a suggested maintenance guide based on the experience of hundreds of residential installations. Your specific environment, usage, and climate may mean you need to adjust the frequency of certain tasks. If you are unsure about anything, contact the team and we will help.
How the Water Stays Clean
Every ice bath includes a 3-stage water purification system inside the chiller unit. When the chiller is running, water is continuously circulated from the bath through the chiller and back again. During that process, three things happen.
Stage 1. Filtration
Water passes through a stainless steel mesh filter inside the chiller. This catches physical debris like hair, dead skin cells, dust, and small particles before they can build up in the system. Think of it like a sieve that the water flows through every time it circulates.
Stage 2. UV-C Disinfection
After filtration, the water passes through a UV-C disinfection chamber. This is a small ultraviolet light inside the chiller that destroys bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms as the water flows past it. It is completely chemical-free. You will never see it or interact with it. It works silently in the background. This is the same technology used in hospital water purification systems.
Stage 3. Continuous Circulation
The pump keeps water moving at all times, which prevents it from becoming stagnant. Still water breeds bacteria. Moving water stays cleaner for longer. This circulation also ensures the temperature is even throughout the bath rather than cold in some spots and warm in others.
No chemicals needed. Because of the UV-C system, residential users do not need to add chlorine, bromine, or any other chemicals to the water. This means no chemical smell, no skin irritation, and no daily dosing routine. The system handles sanitation on its own.
Best Practices
Simple daily habits that make a real difference to how clean your water stays and how long it lasts between changes. None of these are complicated, but they matter.
Shower before you get in
This is the single most effective thing you can do. A quick 30-second rinse before getting in removes sweat, body oils, sunscreen, deodorant, and lotions from your skin. These are the main cause of cloudy water and the buildup of residue inside the bath. If multiple people are using it, this becomes even more important. Make it a habit from day one.
Replace the lid after every session
The thermal insulation lid that comes with your ice bath should be placed back on after every use. It keeps debris, insects, and dust out of the water. It also holds the temperature in, which means the chiller does not have to work as hard. If your ice bath is outdoors, this is essential.
Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
Some customers choose to add 100ml of hydrogen peroxide (25% concentration) each time they change the water. This is not required. The UV-C system handles sanitation without it. However, hydrogen peroxide can help keep the water looking crystal clear for longer if you prefer that. It is gentle on the skin, leaves no chemical smell, and breaks down naturally into water and oxygen. It is entirely your choice.
We do not recommend chlorine. It is harsh on the skin and unnecessary given the UV-C system.
Regular Maintenance
The hands-on tasks you will need to do periodically to keep your water in good condition. There are two: cleaning the filter, and changing the water. Both are straightforward.
Filter Cleaning
The filter is a small stainless steel mesh cylinder that sits inside the chiller. Its job is to catch debris before it circulates through the system. Over time, debris builds up on the filter and needs to be rinsed off. This is a 5-minute job.
How often. For residential use (up to 5 plunges per day), clean the filter weekly.
What you will need. Running water and optionally a soft brush. That is it.
Step by step.
1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.
2. Disconnect the hoses at the ice bath first. This prevents water from flowing out of the bath while the filter housing is open.
3. Open the rear access panel of the chiller to reach the particle filter housing.
4. Use the black particle filter key (included with your system) to unscrew and remove the filter cap.
5. Pull out the particle filter.
6. Rinse the filter under warm running water. Use your fingers or a soft brush to dislodge any debris from the mesh surface.
7. For a deeper clean, soak the filter overnight in warm water with a small amount of dish soap, then rinse clean in the morning.
8. Before reinstalling, check the rubber O-ring on the filter cap. Make sure it is clean, not twisted, and properly seated in its groove.
9. Place the filter back into the housing. Hand-tighten the cap, then give a final quarter turn.
10. Tighten with the filter wrench until fully sealed.
11. Reconnect the hoses at the ice bath.
12. Press the blue/red button on top of the particle filter until water overflows. This removes trapped air from the filter housing.
13. Turn the chiller back on and verify water is circulating properly.
Your ice bath comes with 4 reusable stainless steel mesh filters. Each filter lasts approximately 6 months of residential use before it needs replacing. These are designed to be cleaned and reused, not thrown away. If you prefer disposable paper cartridge filters, they are available as an alternative and are the same size. Contact the team for details.
Visit icebaths.com on YouTube for step-by-step videos of this process.
Water Change
Over time, even with filtration and UV-C disinfection, the water will gradually lose its clarity. Changing the water means draining the bath completely, giving the inside a wipe, and refilling with fresh water. This takes about 30 minutes including the refill time.
How often. For residential use (up to 5 plunges per day), change the water once a month.
What you will need. A soft cloth for wiping the interior. Access to a water supply to refill.
Step by step.
1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.
2. Disconnect the hoses from the chiller.
3. Press the hose connector and let the water drain out through the drainage outlet. If your ice bath is not positioned near a drain, you may need a bucket or to direct the hose to an appropriate area.
4. Once drained, wipe the inside of the bath with a soft cloth. Avoid using rough materials or abrasive cleaning products. You are just removing any residue from the interior surface.
5. Refill the bath with fresh water. Leave approximately 15cm of space from the rim.
6. Reconnect the hoses to the chiller.
7. Press the blue/red button on top of the particle filter until water overflows to remove any trapped air.
8. Turn the chiller back on and verify water is circulating properly.
9. Allow approximately 5 hours for the water to reach your target temperature with the lid on.
If you are using hydrogen peroxide, add 100ml (25% concentration) to the fresh water after refilling.
Visit icebaths.com/resources for step-by-step videos of this process.
System Flush
A system flush cleans the inside of the pipes and chiller internals. Over time, a thin layer of residue can build up inside the plumbing that connects the bath to the chiller. A flush clears this out. Think of it like descaling a kettle. For residential use, this is done once a year.
How often. Annually for residential use.
What you will need. Pipe cleaning solution (we will advise on the correct product for your system). Approximately 500ml per flush.
Step by step.
1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.
2. Disconnect the hoses from the chiller.
3. Drain approximately half of the water from the bath.
4. Pour approximately 500ml of pipe cleaning solution into the ice bath.
5. Reconnect the hoses.
6. Press the blue/red button on top of the particle filter until water overflows to remove air.
7. Turn the chiller back on. The pump will circulate the cleaning solution through the entire system.
8. Leave the system running for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Do not turn off the chiller during this process.
9. After the flush is complete, switch off the chiller.
10. Disconnect the hoses from the chiller and drain all the water completely.
11. Refill with fresh water and perform a standard water change (see above).
Visit icebaths.comm/resources for step-by-step videos of this process.
Water Care Schedule
A summary of all water-related maintenance for residential use (up to 5 plunges per day).
| Task | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shower before each plunge | Every session | 30 seconds |
| Replace the lid after each session | Every session | 10 seconds |
| Clean the filter | Once per week | 5 minutes |
| Change the water | Monthly | 30 minutes |
| System flush | Annually | 1 hour |
Need Help?
If you have any questions about water quality or maintenance, our team is here to help.
WhatsApp wa.me/6287774080206
Email hello@icebaths.com
