Pool Cleaning Tips

Pools are refreshingly fun, and they are a great way to enjoy your yard during the warm months. There is, however, a lot of maintenance that goes into keeping the pool ready to swim in and looking beautiful.

One of the most important parts of owning a pool is keeping it clean. Leaves, dirt, and other debris accumulate in the water over time, and the floors, sides and steps of the pool need to be scrubbed and kept clean. But what exactly needs to be done to best clean your pool?

There are some important things to remember when cleaning your pool, but to keep the pool clean you'll also need a few basic tools along with cleaning knowledge to achieve the best results. A skimming net, an algae brush, and a pool vacuum are especially important.

Try these steps to get the best result when cleaning:

• Clean Leaves and Debris. First of all, you should skim the leaves and other floating debris from the water's surface. This process could be quick or it could take several minutes depending on how many trees or bushes you have near the pool that could shed leaves. Using a long-handled net, sweep over the surface and pick up anything you can see. Empty the net and repeat this step until the water looks clear and free of debris.
• Brush the Floor and Walls. Algae and dirt can collect and spread over the bottom and sides of your pool, so you'll need to scrub regularly. Use a scrubbing brush with a long handle made for cleaning your swimming pool. Go over your whole pool, paying attention to any areas with build-up. If your pool has any tile, you may need to scrub these areas with a special brush to keep them clean.
• Use a Vacuum. You can find and use vacuums made for your pool. You should use one of these on your pool every week or so. You also have the option of setting up an automatic pool cleaning system. These will suck up dirt and debris at the bottom of your pool and save you time and effort. This can, however, be expensive.
• Clean Strainer and Filter. Be sure that you regularly empty any strainers and clean or replace filters as needed. This will ensure that your water stays as clean as possible.

Pools can be a lot of fun, and with the proper care and maintenance they can look great and stay clean.