Wednesday, February 25, 2015

4 Ways to Keep Skin Healthy in the Hot Tub



4 Ways to Keep Skin Healthy in the Hot Tub 


We have all heard that it is a “dry cold” up here and our skin confirms this statement!  There is probably nothing better than sitting in a beautiful hot tub on a cool night. Enjoying the warmth of the tub, whether you're relaxing on your own, or enjoying the company of others. Unfortunately, sometimes if you have sensitive skin you are prone to have your skin dry out from using the hot tub. Here are 4 easy solutions to prevent dry skin while using a hot tub frequently.
  1. Hydrate your body. Staying well hydrated can help you avoid dry skin. If your body does not have enough water in your system, it will absorb the hot water while you are soaking in the tub. You can avoid that by drinking at least three glasses of water before entering a hot tub.
     
  2. Apply Baby Oil. Before entering a hot tub apply baby oil to your exposed skin for 10 minutes before entering the tub. Baby oil is designed to keep body moisture locked in. Upon exiting the tub you will notice more water drops will rest on top of your skin and will not absorb directly into the pores.
     
  3. Apply a Conditioner to the Water. There are certain water conditioners that contain moisturizing ingredients that can help prevent dry skin when using a hot tub. You simply add the solution to the hot tub. Before purchasing a product make sure it is oil free; you want to avoid allowing any leftover oils to remain in the water. Follow the instructions on how much of the solution to add to the water.
     
  4. Shower in Cool Water. Upon exiting the hot tub, showering in cool water will offset the long soak in the high temperatures. The cold water seals the skin's pores preventing them from getting clogged, compared to hot water which opens the pores.
Take good care of your skin this year while you are enjoying your hot tub and prevent your skin from drying out with these four tips from Arctic Home Living.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Winter Relief - 6 Tips for Hot Tubing During the Winter



There is nothing better than slipping into your bubbly warm hot tub on a cold winter's day in Alaska. It's great to grab some good friends, or a loved one to sit outside and watch the snow fall while in the hot tub. However, in order to keep your hot tub running smoothly throughout the winter, you will need to take proper care of it. Here are a couple practices you should follow to help ensure a trouble-free winter with your hot tub.

  1. Complete maintenance
    Performing regular maintenance throughout the winter is extremely important (even if you're not using your hot tub daily). Be sure to monitor the water chemistry, and keep the sanitizer levels up. If you neglect regular maintenance during the winter, your hot tub will pay for it in the summer.
     
  2. Invest in a quality hot tub cover
    Trust us, a high-quality hot tub cover is worth the investment. A well-insulated cover can help keep the heat inside your hot tub, which can reduce the hydro and energy costs used to heat your tub. Another suggestion is to use a thermal blanket over top your regular hot tub cover as an added measure to help with insulation.
     
  3. Maintain the water temperature
    As the weather gets colder, it takes longer for your hot tub water to heat up. A more cost-effective method is to maintain the overall water temperature of your hot tub on a daily basis. You will spend more money reheating your hot tub (if you let the water get extremely cold), compared to keeping it at a balanced temperature all the time. This will also reduce the risk of the pipes freezing.
     
  4. Clear yourself a dry path
    Using your hot tub on a cold winter's night is awesome. There is nothing more fun, then watching the snow fall around you, while being toasty warm in the tub. To prevent yourself from freezing when you enter and/or exit the tub, make sure to have a direct path from your door to hot tub. You can easily lay down an outdoor mat, or stones to create an accessible and easy-to-clean path.
     
  5. Keep your head dry
    Soaking up the warmth of the hot tub in the winter can be very soothing. However, it's important to keep your head and hair dry. If you submerge yourself underwater then sit outside in the cold with wet hair can cause you to get sick.
     
  6. Stay warm and be smart
    You'll have to be the judge of when to use your hot tub, depending on the weather outside. If there is a blizzard going on in your backyard, chances are you should probably skip the hot tub for the night. Another tip is to bring a towel, robe, or coat outside with you before you enter the hot tub so you can keep warm after you exit. If you find that you're cold while sitting the hot tub, try wearing a hat to help keep your body heat in.

So next time you see some snow falling, why not grab your swimsuit and enjoy winter from the comfort of your hot tub? If you have any questions about how to keep your hot tub operating smoothly throughout the winter months, come into Arctic Home Living. We have three convenient locations to serve you better. We are your go-to store when it comes to cheap hot tubs in Anchorage, Alaska. With our knowledge, skills, and friendly sales staff, we can help keep your hot tub running effortlessly in Alaska all winter long.