Leisure Time Filter Clean | Cartridge Deep Soak

• (1) Leisure Time Filter Clean — 32 fl. oz. (1 quart) concentrated overnight-soak filter cleaner
• Child-resistant cap with integrated pour spout
• Dosing chart and full application directions printed on the bottle label

• Deep-clean overnight soak formula — penetrates filter pleats where surface rinsing can't reach
• Removes organic contaminants — body oils, sunscreen, lotion, grease, sweat residue
• Dissolves scale and mineral buildup — calcium deposits that build up in hard water regions
• Restores filter flow and pressure — clogged filters reduce circulation and force pumps to work harder
• Extends cartridge service life — owners who deep-clean quarterly get 2–3x the usable life from each filter
• Improves water clarity — a clean filter catches the particles that cause hazy, dull water
• Concentrated formula — one quart provides multiple deep-soak treatments
• Universal sanitizer compatibility — works with chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridge, and biguanide systems
• Made in the USA by Leisure Time, a trusted name in spa chemistry for over 40 years

A spa cartridge filter is essentially a pleated tube of microporous fabric — typically polyester or polypropylene — designed to maximize surface area within a compact form factor. Water flows through the pleats, and contaminants get trapped in the pores of the media. Over time, two distinct types of buildup accumulate that a simple rinse can't address.

The first is organic loading: body oils, lotion residue, sunscreen, sweat, hair products, and dissolved organics from bathers. These contaminants are oil-based and don't rinse away with water — in fact, water just beads off them. They coat the filter fibers, block the pores from the inside, and dramatically reduce filtration efficiency. The second is mineral scale: calcium and magnesium deposits that crystallize directly onto filter fibers, especially in hard water regions or spas using mineral sanitizer systems. Mineral scale is rock-hard and physically blocks pore flow.

Filter Clean uses a blend of surfactants and mild chelating agents that attack both problems simultaneously. The surfactants emulsify organic deposits — breaking the bond between oil-based contaminants and the filter media — so they release into the soak solution. The chelating agents dissolve calcium scale by binding to mineral ions and pulling them off the filter fibers. The 3-hour minimum soak time (overnight ideal) gives the chemistry time to penetrate fully into the pleat depth, which is what separates a real deep clean from a surface rinse. After soaking, a thorough high-pressure rinse flushes out the loosened contaminants, and the filter returns to near-new flow characteristics.

Pro Tip: Most hot tubs come with two filter cartridges from the factory — and there's a reason. Rotate them. Run one in the spa while the other is deep-soaking, drying, and resting in storage. When you do your quarterly Filter Clean treatment, swap the dry cartridge in and put the dirty one in the soak bucket. A 24-hour dry period between uses lets the polyester fibers fully shed any remaining moisture and contaminants, which extends cartridge life significantly. If your spa only came with one cartridge, ordering a second pays for itself within a year.

Overnight Deep Soak (Quarterly Maintenance)

1. Drain the spa (Filter Clean treatments are typically aligned with the 3–4 month drain-and-refill cycle).
2. Remove the cartridge filter(s) from the filter housing.
3. Rinse the cartridge thoroughly with a garden hose to remove all loose surface debris — leaves, hair, large particles. This step is essential; surface debris reduces the effectiveness of the soak.
4. Prepare the soaking solution: add 16 oz. of Filter Clean to 4 gallons of water in a clean plastic bucket, plastic bin, or trash can large enough to fully submerge the cartridge upright.
5. Do not use galvanized aluminum or porcelain containers — the cleaning chemistry can react with these surfaces.
6. Place the cartridge upright in the solution. Make sure it is fully submerged.
7. Soak for a minimum of 3 hours. For maximum effectiveness — and for cartridges that haven't been deep-cleaned in a long time — soak overnight (12+ hours).
8. Remove the cartridge and rinse thoroughly with a high-pressure nozzle, working from the inside out and from the top down. Continue rinsing until water runs completely clear and no foam appears.
9. If possible, allow the cartridge to air-dry fully before reinstalling. A 24-hour dry period further restores filter performance.
10. Reinstall the dry cartridge and refill the spa.

Heavy-Buildup or Neglected Filters

For filters that haven't been deep-cleaned in 6+ months, or that show heavy scale buildup, extend the soak to a full 24 hours. After the first rinse, inspect the pleats — if discoloration remains, repeat the soak with fresh solution.

Storage & Handling

• Store in original container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
• Keep tightly closed when not in use
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Do not mix with other spa chemicals in the bottle, bucket, or any storage container
• Dispose of used soaking solution per local guidelines — do not pour into the spa or back into the bottle

Pro Tip: Filter cartridges have a finite lifespan even with perfect maintenance — typically 12–24 months for residential spa use. Watch for the signs that a deep clean isn't bringing the filter back: persistent flow restriction, pleats that look matted or compressed instead of crisp, fiber bands that have torn or unraveled, or visible permanent staining that doesn't release in a 24-hour soak. When you see any of those, it's time to replace the cartridge — not deep-clean it again. Cleaning a worn-out filter is putting good labor after a bad part.

• Product: Leisure Time Filter Clean Cartridge Cleaner
• Size: 32 fl. oz. (1 quart / 946 mL)
• Form: Liquid concentrate (dilutes into soaking solution)
• Active Chemistry: Surfactant and chelating agent blend
• Application: Overnight soak — quarterly or per drain-and-refill cycle
• Dilution Ratio: 16 oz. Filter Clean to 4 gallons of water
• Soak Time: Minimum 3 hours; overnight (12+ hours) recommended
• Treatment Capacity (32 oz): 2 full deep-soak treatments per bottle
• Filter Types: cartridge filters (primary), D.E. grids, sand filter media
• Sanitizer Compatibility: Chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral, biguanide
• Soaking Container: Use plastic only — NOT galvanized aluminum or porcelain
• Country of Origin: Made in USA
• Brand: Leisure Time Spa Care
• Hazmat Classification: Non-hazardous for standard ground shipping

Filter Clean is formulated for use with cartridge filters in all residential spas and hot tubs, regardless of sanitizer type or spa brand. Compatible with the major filter types and pleated materials used in residential equipment.

• Filter types: pleated cartridge filters (the standard residential spa filter type), D.E. (diatomaceous earth) filter grids, and sand filter media
• Filter materials: polyester, polypropylene, and Reemay-style pleated media
• Sanitizer systems: chlorine, bromine, ozone, mineral cartridges (silver/copper), biguanide (Baqua Spa, SoftSoak) — Filter Clean is rinsed thoroughly before the filter returns to the spa, so it does not interact with sanitizer in service
• Soaking container compatibility: use a clean plastic bucket or non-galvanized container only. Do not use galvanized aluminum or porcelain for soaking — the cleaning chemistry can react with these surfaces.
• Companion products: pairs with Leisure Time Instant Cartridge Clean (spray-on monthly cleaner) for the complete filter care routine; works alongside the full Leisure Time Simple Spa Care line
• Brand fit: works with filter cartridges from Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, American Whirlpool, Bullfrog, and every other residential spa brand