Professional pool cleaners can be costly, but how do you ensure the job gets done right if you don’t pay for one? This article will teach you how to clean your swimming pool spotless without breaking the bank with a pool cleaning service. Use the information below, and your pool will be ready for a swim in no time.
Main Takeaways
- You should skim, brush, and vacuum your pool at least weekly.
- Try opting for an automatic pool cleaner as opposed to a manual vacuum.
- Make sure to maintain proper chemical balance to ensure your pool is clean.
- Don’t forget to clean your pool filter!
How to Clean Your Pool: Routines You Should Establish
To keep your pool fresh and safe, you should clean your pool at least weekly. Here are some methods for cleaning and the supplies you can use to maintain your pool.
Skim and Brush Your Pool
One of the best ways to clean your pool is to put your back into it! Here are the steps to skimming and brushing your pool.
Step One: Use a Pole With A Brush
Although it requires manual labor, using a telescopic pole with a brush is a great way to scrub away algae and grime stuck to the walls.
Step Two: Start On The Edges
Brushing may be spot-specific, but start on the edges and onto the rest of the pool if you have an extra dirty pool.
Step Three: Brush At An Angle
My pro tip is to brush at an angle; this will help remove any unwanted particles hiding in the crevasses. When you do this, the filter should take care of most of the aggravated algae. Read my complete articles on how to brush a pool and how often to brush your pool for more tips.
Step Four: Brush Downwards
Always work the brush downwards in one direction when brushing your pool’s walls. Brushing both ways creates more work and tired arms. Also, try to brush at an angle to cause less friction between the water and the brush.
Step Five: Skim The Edges
After brushing, use a skimmer net to collect all larger debris, such as leaves or insects. Whenever I skim a pool, I start at the edges and go around twice.
Step Six: Skim The Middle
Then I work the middle for anything still floating around by pulling the stuff towards the edges and scooping it out.
Step Seven: Skim The Bottom
Finally, get everything that has sunk to the bottom and bounce the net to scoop up anything that starts floating. It’s important to double-check everything as some debris can be small and evade the net on the first pass.
Equipment Recommendations for Skimming and Brushing Your Pool
- Skimmer net
- Pool brush and pole
Vacuum Your Pool
You can vacuum your pool using an automatic pool cleaner or a manual vacuum.
Automatic Pool Cleaner
Using an automatic vacuum can save you a lot of time as a pool owner. Although they don’t do the entire job for you, they help. Automatic pool cleaners will glide across flat surfaces in your pool and collect debris or algae as they move. They usually require both a hose and an electricity source to filter through the water and deposit the trash they collect into independent storage.
Step One: Start the Vacuum
Before you begin, start the vacuum by pressing the “on” button on the model or using a remote to turn it on.
Step Two: Place The Vacuum In The Pool
Gently place the vacuum in the pool and wait for it to sink to the bottom. The automatic vacuum cleaner will then clean your entire pool without any more work needed from you!
Step Three: Pull Out The Vacuum
When the vacuum has done its job, pull it out of the water.
Step Four: Empty The Filter
Finally, before you put it away, empty the filter and dispose of the debris that the automatic cleaner has collected while vacuuming the surfaces of your pool.
Vacuuming your pool every other day or even every three days should be enough to keep your pool fresh. Just remember to vacuum after you brush.
Manual Vacuum
When purchasing a pool vacuum, I would avoid manual vacuums. They are cheaper but much more time-consuming. It’s worth the extra cost to allow you to relax instead of adding on an extra chore.
If you do choose to manually vacuum your pool, here are my steps to using one efficiently.
Step One: Attach The Vacuum
Attach the vacuum head to your telescopic pole to get started. Then take one end of the pool hose and attach that to the vacuum head as well.
Step Two: Place The Vacuum In The Pool
Put the vacuum head, pole, and hose into the pool and wait for it to sink to the bottom. Take the other end of the hose and put it against the return jet to help get the air out of the vacuum head.
Step Three: Attach Hose To Skimmer
Take the hose out of the return jet, block it with a vacuum plate, and insert it in the skimmer on top of the basket. Make sure to maintain a good suction when you do this.
If you’re not using a vacuum plate, when you take the hose out of the return jet, block the opening with your hand, bring the hose to the skimmer, and insert it into the suction hole at the bottom of the skimmer.
Step Four: Vacuum The Surfaces
Push the vacuum across all the pool surfaces to collect all the particles stuck to the walls and floor. This can be time-consuming, but it’s a great workout!
Step Five: Disconnect The Vacuum And Rinse
Disconnect the vacuum from the telescopic pole and drain the water from the hose. Finally, rinse, dry, and return all equipment to storage.
Equipment Recommendations for Vacuuming Your Pool
Maintain the Chemicals In Your Pool
If the chemicals in your swimming pool are not balanced, there is no point in trying to brush or vacuum your pool. A pool with unbalanced chemical levels will become cloudy and grow algae and bacteria. Keeping your chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels maintained will keep your swimming pool safe and attractive throughout the summer season. Use a testing kit to test the levels in your pool at least three times a week and adjust when needed.
Further Reading on Pool Chemistry
How to Clean a Very Dirty Pool
When opening up your pool for the season or returning home after a long vacation, you may find your pool in a pitiful state. Several problems can go wrong in your pool, so staying informed on the best ways to clean up your water is important.
Here are some of my helpful guides on how to clean up an extra dirty swimming pool:
- How to treat and quickly remove algae
- How to clear a green pool
- How to get rid of mustard algae
- How to get rid of black algae
- How to get rid of white water mold and pink slime
- How to clear cloudy water
- How to remove algae from a saltwater pool
- How to acid wash a pool
- How to properly clean pool tile
How to Clean your Pool Deck
A pressure washer is the most effective way to clean a pool deck. You can go old school with a bucket and a mop, but it will be challenging to get stubborn dirt that has been collecting on the surface for months. The process would also take longer because you must sweep the deck before mopping.
With a pressure washer, you’ll be able to thoroughly clean the deck in just a few seconds. Work your way up and down the deck from the pool edge outwards. Before you use the pressure washer, give the entire deck a spray with a hose to remove any surface dirt in the way.
Don’t Forget to Clean your Pool Filter
The filter is the last line of defense against debris, mud, and algae that will make the pool water murky. You should clean the filter with a proper filter cleaner and degreaser every two to three months to prevent the filter from breaking or leaking dirty water back into the pool. Also, don’t forget to clean your pool cover as well!
Get My Free Pool Care Checklist
Download my free, printable pool maintenance checklist to help you accomplish regular pool care tasks for any type of swimming pool.
Why Cleaning Your Swimming Pool is Important
Nobody wants to go swimming in a dirty pool. A dirty swimming pool can cause accidents and severe health concerns. Some of the microbes that live in a dirty pool include e. Coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Pools that are not regularly maintained won’t be clear and sparkling and will grow algae, becoming green and cloudy.
Bottom Line
Diligence and routine cleaning is key to keeping your swimming pool in excellent condition throughout the season.
Follow my techniques, like brushing at an angle and working the skimmer from the middle to the edge of the pool, and it will make your job easier. When it’s time to clean the filter, don’t procrastinate! After all, your swimming pool is meant to be enjoyed, and a clean one is even easier to appreciate.
Questions about pool cleaning? Don’t hesitate to ask!
