Best Pool Cleaner

Cleaning your swimming pool does not have to be an expensive, labor-intensive job. But to keep the interior of the pool clean and fresh will require an unswerving time commitment. You will need to spend four or more hours per week cleaning the pool during the peak swim season, which will probably only be a small portion of the time you plan to spend in the pool and well worth the effort.

1. Purchase the Proper Tools

   • Cleaning the pool will go a lot faster and easier if you use the correct tools, which can be found at your local pool supply dealer.
     A leaf skimmer, which is a long-handled net for skimming leaves, bugs and other debris from the water’s surface is a must-have for pool owners.
     A vacuum is also essential to cleaning your pool. Some vacuums connect to the circulation system of the pool, others are equipped with their own power supply. The vacuum will help you to suction out debris that may have settled on the bottom of the pool.
     A wall and floor brush is a nylon-bristle brush used to clean the floor and walls of pools that are made of fiberglass or vinyl or are painted. An Algae brush is a stainless-steel bristle brush used to clear algae from plaster walls.
     A tile brush is used to remove calcium deposits from tiled walls without damaging the grout. A pumice stone can be used on the harder calcium scales.

   Skim Debris from the Surface

   • Using your leaf skimmer, skim the top of the water’s surface with the net to remove leaves, twigs, bugs and other floating objects before they have a chance to sink to the bottom of the pool. Using the skimmer will make the circulation system more efficient and will reduce the amount of chlorine you will need.

   Clean out the Baskets

   • Strainer baskets are located on the pool deck of an in-ground pool or attached to the side of an above-ground pool. The leaves and debris should be removed from the strainer baskets at least once a week so that they do not obstruct the flow of water. Keeping the baskets clean will also make the circulation system run more efficiently. If the pool filter is dirty, use your hands to remove the debris.

   Vacuum

   • The pool should be vacuumed weekly to reduce the need for sanitizing chemicals and to keep the water looking clear. The vacuums should be skimmed back and forth across the bottom of the swimming pool, slightly overlapping with each stroke just as if you were vacuuming your carpet.

   Clean the Walls

   • Brush the pool walls weekly to clean off the algae buildup and calcium deposits before they become a serious problem. Use a stiff brush for concrete pools and a soft brush for vinyl and fiberglass pools. Do not use anything stiff or abrasive on tile or it will damage the grout. Tile scum at the water line can be taken off with a chlorine-based cleaner and a sponge or tile brush. For really difficult spots, use a pumice stone or nylon scouring pad. Use whatever cleaner the pool manufacturer recommends.

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