5 easy steps to maintaining a sparkling clean pool
Owning a pool should be fun, but regular maintenance is key to keeping it hygienic, safe, and sparkling. Don’t let pool care feel overwhelming—follow these 5 easy steps to maintain your backyard oasis all season long.
Step 1: Skim and brush your pool regularly
This is your essential first line of defence. Skim your pool daily to remove floating debris like leaves and bugs. Brush your pool walls and floor weekly to dislodge dirt and algae spores, especially in corners and steps. Brushing ensures these contaminants are easier for your cleaner and filter to capture.
Step 2: Test your pool water chemistry weekly
Balanced water chemistry is vital for safety and equipment protection. Use a reliable test kit weekly to check and adjust these critical levels:
| pH Levels (7.4-7.6) | Ensures sanitiser efficiency and prevents irritation. |
| Chlorine Levels (1-3 ppm) | Kills bacteria and algae |
| Alkalinity (80-120 ppm) | Stabilises pH |
| Calcium Hardness (200-400 ppm) | Prevents scaling or etching |
Step 3: Clean your pool skimmer basket
Your skimmer basket protects your pump system from leaves and debris. Empty your skimmer basket daily (or every other day) to ensure optimal water flow.
Step 4: Backwash or clean your pool filter regularly
The filter is the core of cleanliness, trapping tiny particles. Keep it running efficiently by cleaning it regularly:
- Sand filters: Backwash when the pressure gauge reads 8-10 psi above normal*.
- Cartridge filters: Remove and manually hose down the cartridges every 4 weeks*.
A clean filter means clear water.
*Always follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 5: Run your pool pump and circulation system
Stagnant water invites algae and bacteria. Run your pool pump for at least 3-4 hours per day to circulate water through the filter and distribute chemicals evenly. Proper circulation prevents “dead spots” and is essential for maintaining hygiene and clarity.
The critical role of filtration and pool cleaner choice
Filtration is the cornerstone of a hygienic pool. Your pump, filter, plumbing and pool cleaner work constantly to remove dirt, debris as well as microscopic particles and pathogens.
When it comes to water circulation, it’s important to note there is a big difference between suction and robotic cleaners so choose carefully:
- Suction Cleaners: These connect to your skimmer or a dedicated line. They actively circulate water from all over your pool through your main pump and filter system. Remember, this is what you have all this equipment for. This ensures that a larger volume of water is constantly filtered and treated, from different areas of your pool, significantly contributing to overall pool hygiene and helping with dead spots. Kreepy Krauly is a well-known name for automatic suction pool cleaners.
- Robotic cleaners: These independent units use their own pump and filter to effectively scrub surfaces. While they offer good spot cleaning, their water circulation is localised as they move around, meaning they circulate only the water in their immediate vicinity, for example bottom and sides if wall climbing and do not work with your pool’s filtration system to the comprehensive move your pool water from bottom to the top via your pool
Enjoy your pool!
