We went from a whirlpool to a freestanding tub and I have NEVER regretted the decision! I hated the nasty crud that would grow in the whirlpool jets! Have you owned a whirlpool tub before? If you have, and are OK with the footprint it takes up in the bathroom and the difficulty in cleaning, then be kind to your back and get another.

The other alternative that is more budget friendly than a freestanding tub is a drop in soaking tub. It’s much more user friendly as well.

The do make freestanding whirlpool tubs.

Nidnay yes! I was just looking at some—

That tub above apparently comes in an air jet version

IMO, the whirlpool versions of the freestanding tubs are not as streamlined and elegant (maybe a little clunky looking due to thicker tub walls needed for plumbing), but they do make them.

I currently am enjoying my first whirlpool tub and it's huge and luckily haven't had any issues with cleaning. I do agree they do look a little clunky but I could live with that! I have found freestanding with a combo air/whirlpool which unfortunately are way out of my price range! Has anyone experienced an air-jet tub?

Dump 3 dozen boxes of Alka Seltzer in your tub. That’s an air tub.

LOLLLLLL!!!!! Hence my preference to water jets over air bubbles!

Have you ever cleaned your whirlpool tub?? We bought a house with a ten year old whirlpool so I bought Oh Yuk and proceeded to clean the jets and internal plumbing. Oh my word the black sludge that came out was disgusting. I cleaned 3 x in total until it was clean and now I do that every few months.

OMG

Oh my! I've owned my place for a year and have not. I'm freaking out a bit right now. I've read to clean it with bleach and vinegar but never imagined black gook is hiding in there cause it looks almost unused. I guess I need to go buy some Oh Yuk! Thanks for the tip!

@nidnay just image using that tub if I hadn't cleaned it first. Disgusting.

Oh gosh.....just the thought of getting in a tub for a nice relaxing soak and then BAM. Disgusting doesn’t quite cover it :)

And that takes us back to my original comment!

Sharon- wow!

IMO a nice deep soaking tub is still my go to. Freestanding tubs require huge spaces to look right not to mention the PITA to clean around . Every client i have ever had that went with a whirpool tub used it for maybe a month and the cursed at how much water it need to actually work properly. For the money you can save by doing a soaker you could go to a massage every month.

If you get another whirlpool just make sure to clean every few months to keep it from looking like mine when we moved in. All of that junk was inside the tubing so you wouldn't know it's there. I'm just neurotic so I would take a bath until it was sanitized.

Having an aversion to sitting in that water is not neurotic....it’s normal!

Yes but most people don't know it's there so happy I'm not one of them. Can you even imagine??? Ewwwwwwwwww!!!!!

The trick to cleaning: DO NOT RUN THE JETS WITH ANY SOAP IN THE WATER. It’s the soap residue in the lines that allows mildew to grow. I run the jets only with clear water (or Epsom salts dissolved) to bubble jet my pains away, then shut off jets and soap. You can get a super easy low suds clean by filling tub with hot water and add tablespoon of dishwasher liquid. Turn on jets, let run. But seriously, no issues with mildew if you only run clear non soap water thru the lines.

Jaws....good point about the soap. The same thing happens with sponges. Sponges that I use with plain water only NEVER get smelly, but the sponges I regularly use with soap need cleaning/replacing all the time (although I now use special sponges that never get smelly or moldy).

I'm also looking for a free standing whirlpool and it took me to this page as I was searching. What brand is this tub and how much is it. Did you have any concerns when installing it.

Hi--I know this post is pretty old but I'm curious if you could share the model that you ended up buying and whether you still recommend it! Thanks so much