Hygiene in Spa Baths
Bacteria, fungus, mildew moulds and mites – can present a serious health threat to you and guests in your Spa Bath at home or in your Motel.
These ‘nasties’ have been proven to be significant triggers for amongst others, asthma, hayfever, rhinitis, athletes foot, eczema and even Legionnaire’s Disease. In the spa bath area the major threats are from moulds, bacteria and fungus. Moulds are tiny fungi to which 5% of the population are allergic. Moulds, fungi and bacteria also join with dust mites to create a cocktail of allergens and spores which guests then breathe in.
There is a simple solution to reduce the risks of disease from the spa bath. In fact, the health department have published the following information for owners and managers and those of us involved in the hospitality and leisure industry.
The Need to Clean Spa Baths
The Problem
- Spa baths circulate water through pipes with the assistance of a pump and a booster heater.
- Spa baths, unlike swimming pools or spa pools do not have a filter so any dirt that is not drained out remains within the piping system.
- Body fats, together with soap residue and other products such as aromatherapy oils become deposited on the insides of the piping system which block off the supply of water to the outlets and are also a hygiene problem.
- Apart from the grease from previous users, this debris is also a harbourage for the survival of bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Staphlycoccus, which can be associated with ear, eye, hair follicle and wound infections.
- Circulating the water by itself does not usually remove this material. A degreasing solution must be used to remove these fats and oils.
The Solution
- There are commercially formulated degreasing solutions specifically manufactured for use in spas.
- When circulated according to manufacturer’s directions, these should remove all fats and debris that are adhered to the piping and deposit the debris in the bath to be drained away.
- This debris is normally brown in colour, and you may be surprised when you use a spa cleaner for the first time at the amount of debris which can accumulate within the piping system.
- Choose a degreaser that also has a sanitising action so that the pipes remain hygienically clean until the bath is used again.
- In the Hospitality indusytry you need to degrease your spa regularly so that your clients can be assured that their use of the spa is an enjoyable and hygienic experience. Between each client or after each room stay are suggested intervals between degreasing.
|
