Important Pool Cleaning Tips to Keep in Mindpederk – Getty Images
The warm weather and humidity of summer beckons families to cool off and take a dip in their backyard pools. Pools are a great way to gather family, friends, and neighbors on a hot summer day, whether for a relaxing dip or a big block party complete with food, games, and swimming. However, like most things in life, pools require cleaning, maintenance, and work to keep them safe to swim in and attractive. Before you move to a new place with a pool, or build the pool of your dreams, check out these 10 tips for cleaning pools before you dive in.
Adding chemicals
When you first get a pool, the professionals will help you set up a chemical system to keep your pool water clean and healthy. After the initial setup, however, it is important to follow the chemical manufacturer’s instructions carefully when adding chemicals to your pool and when handling pool chemicals in general. Chemicals (most commonly chlorine) come in a variety of forms, including liquids, powders, and tablets. Don’t be afraid to try a few options to see what works best for you and your pool.
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Brush the sides and tiles
Standing water in a pool can be prone to algae growth. Therefore, it is important to prevent buildup by brushing the sides and tiles of your backyard pool at least once a week. You will need a tile brush and a special pool tile cleaner. Make sure the cleaner you choose works well with your materials (e.g. fiberglass, tile, vinyl).
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Check the skimmer baskets
Swimming pools have skimmer baskets to catch debris that floats around outside. To keep your pool clean, check the skimmer baskets daily to remove all debris, from small leaves to lost pool toys. Rinse the baskets with a water hose to keep them free of smaller debris such as grass clippings and hair.
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Create a cleaning schedule for your pool
It can be a challenge to keep track of everything you need to do to maintain the cleanliness and health of your pool. One of the best ways to make sure you don’t miss anything is to create a summer cleaning schedule. Incorporate your pool cleaning duties into your regular cleaning routine to keep everything in tip-top shape, and share the schedule with your family or housemates to avoid becoming overwhelmed. The amount of cleaning you do will vary depending on factors such as how often you use your pool and where you live.
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Don’t forget the skimmer
In addition to the skimmer baskets, don’t forget to also purchase some long-handled pool skimmers to actively use. These will help remove obvious debris from the water’s surface and keep the water clear and free, so your backyard pool looks clean and inviting to jump into at any time.
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Invest in a pool cover
A pool cover is a big commitment, but it is also one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your pool. Keeping your pool covered when not in use will significantly reduce the amount of debris that can build up. It will also help protect your pool from sunlight when not in use, as exposure to sunlight will make chlorine less effective over time. A covered pool will also help maintain a consistent temperature to prevent algae and bacteria from growing. Save yourself some headaches and invest in an automatic pool cover if your budget allows.
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Give the pool a shock
After extreme heat, heavy rain, or a big pool party, you may need to shock your pool with a large dose of chlorine. This will help to eliminate any potential contaminants. Shocking your pool and adding a larger dose of chlorine than normal will help to balance the water chemicals. Be sure to test your water before shocking to determine if you need to do it. It is recommended to shock your pool at night when no one is swimming. This also gives the water and chemicals time to stabilize for the next use.
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Test the water regularly
Elements such as rain, sun, and the number of swimmers are just a few of the things that can affect the cleanliness of your pool, so make sure you test the water regularly, at least once a week. Purchase a test kit to measure pH levels and adjust the chemicals in your pool as needed to keep it clean and hygienic for swimmers.
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Throw some tennis balls in it
Tennis balls are often thrown into dryers to fluff up laundry, but they can also be thrown into the pool to absorb excess oils from products like leave-in hair conditioners, makeup, and oils from sunscreen. Just make sure your dog doesn’t pick them all up.
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Vacuum
Just as you vacuum your home, especially high traffic areas, you will want to do the same with your backyard pool. You can opt for a manual option or an automatic vacuum that will go along the bottom of the pool and clean it for you. It is a good rule of thumb to vacuum your pool at least once a week.
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