After you create the backyard of your dream by adding a state-of-the-art hot tub, you might be ready to call up your friends and invite them over for a soak. After all, what good is a spa if the people you love can't enjoy it? Although you might be tempted to play it fast and loose, having a no-holds-barred party might be hard on your new investment. Here are two hot tub rules you should implement before you throw your first party, and how they can help you to protect your new toy:

1: "Shower before entering."

If you have ever lounged in the hot tub at your community recreation center, you may have noticed the stark contrast between that public water and the crystal clear water in your new tub. Although you might assume the problem stems from poor chemical care, the issue might lie in the number of people who use the tub, and the grime they bring into the water.

To fend off dirty water, ask your visitors to shower before they step foot in your hot tub. In addition to helping your guests to acclimate to the hot water, showering first can also keep these substances out of your spa:

• Sweat: You and your buddies might feel like taking a dip after football practice, but sweat can throw off the pH of your hot tub. To keep your hot tub safe and the water beautiful, the pH should be between 7.0 and 7.6. However, since sweat is moderately acidic, it can lower the pH of your hot tub—clouding the water.  
• Makeup: Sparkly body lotions and facial makeup might make your girl friends look great, but it can wreak havoc on your pool interior. Over time, rinsed-off makeup debris can accumulate around the edges of your hot tub, making the inside look filthy.
• Suntan Lotion: Believe it or not, even something as innocent as suntan lotion can create spa water problems. Because sunscreen and tanning oils can partially wash off in the water, they can create unsightly foam and make spa surfaces slimy and difficult to clean.

To make rinsing off easier for your guests, consider having an outdoor shower area installed. These areas don't have to be fancy—just a place where someone can quickly hose themselves down before hopping into your spa. To make makeup removal easier for the ladies, consider keeping makeup remover wipes on hand, along with a trashcan. To reduce sunscreen usage, try to place your spa in the shade, such as under a beautiful pergola.

2: "Don't drink and dip."

Since drinking goes hand in hand with relaxing, it might seem like a no-brainer to install a mini-fridge stocked with wine coolers or beers next to your hot tub. Unfortunately, drinking while using hot tubs is a dangerous habit that should be avoided at all costs. Here are a few problems you might encounter if you allow friends to drink in your hot tub:

• Glass: If glasses, beer bottles, or wine decanters are dropped in or around your hot tub, glass fragments could make their way inside. Unfortunately, since it can be hard to see through bubbly water, your friends or family members could be cut by the shards. Glass might also make its way into your hot tub filtration system, creating difficult-to-remove clogs. 
• Judgment: If you allow your guests to become inebriated during their stay, they might also make poor decisions that could damage your hot tubs. For example, if one of your friends decides to do an "epic" cannonball into your tub, it could fracture the shell and cause irreparable damage. Also, a drunk friend might be less likely to comply with your other rules and encourage others to do the same.

After you know which hot tub rules you want to enforce, don't be shy about posting them near your spa. You might feel silly being so strict, but by setting the ground rules early, you might be able to protect your investment long-term.