There’s always going to be gunk falling into your pool, but if you can keep those pesky leaves, sticks, bugs, and debris from sticking around too long, that cleaning job will go much faster.
Vinegar works well to wipe away calcium build-up, and it shines up metal surfaces like a champ (like your ladder handles). It’s also a great non-abrasive cleaner for the floor of your pool.
1. White Vinegar
White vinegar is a natural pool cleaner and can do everything from removing grime to lowering the pH of your pool water. It is also a very effective disinfectant, which can help to kill bacteria and other microbes. It can also be used to remove stubborn stains from your pool tile, especially if they are caused by metal. Vinegar can be applied to a sponge and then scrubbed over the affected area to remove the stain. If the stains are particularly stubborn, undiluted vinegar may be more effective. This can be mixed with salt to form a slurry, which can then be applied to the affected areas with a sponge. This is a very effective way to get rid of calcium buildup, as well as other gunk and rust.
Vinegar can also shine up metal surfaces like the metal rings on your pool ladder. Just dip a sponge in diluted vinegar and rub it over the surface of your metal pool accessories. It will make them shine like new! It can also be used to clean and shine stainless steel pool equipment.
Another great use for white vinegar is as an algaecide. It is very effective at killing and dispersing algae in your pool. You can use it alone or as a supplement to your regular pool chemical treatments. It can also be used to create homemade algaecide with other household ingredients. This can be a much cheaper option than purchasing a commercial product.
It is important to remember that when using vinegar or any other acidic solution, it is important to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. You should also test any solution on a small, inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire pool. This will ensure that it doesn’t damage the surface of your pool tile. If you are unable to remove the stains from your pool tile with white vinegar, you may need to consider using a more abrasive cleaner, such as a pumice stone. Before you start rubbing away at your pool tiles, remember to wet the affected area with warm water to prevent any possible surface scratches.
2. Lemon Juice
Keeping your pool in tip-top shape can be a costly endeavor. And although store-bought cleaning products are an effective way to keep your water sparkling clean, many household items are equally useful — and less expensive!
One of the most common and versatile household cleaning supplies is lemon juice. Not only does it act as a natural clarifier, but it also works as an excellent sanitizer for your pool. Mix it with salt to create a powerful slurry that can easily get rid of grime and rust from your pool’s surfaces. For stubborn stains, apply pure lemon juice directly to the surface and scrub away.
Another great substitute for expensive commercial cleaners is rubbing alcohol, which is capable of getting rid of any sticky residue or marks that may have accumulated on your pool toys and pool deck. Be sure to diluted it before applying, however, as rubbing alcohol can be harsh on your pool’s surface if used undiluted.
If you’re having trouble spotting leaks in your pool, try using food coloring to pinpoint their location. By placing a few drops near any suspected areas, you can watch as the color moves through the water and alerts you to the leak’s exact location. This is a great hack for locating cracks and leaks in the pump lids, plumbing systems, and any other open spaces in your pool.
Known for its ability to add a little extra zing to desserts and baked goods, lemon balm is an excellent plant for preventing bugs in your backyard. You can also grow it around your pool to make it a bug-free oasis. Just be sure to remove the flowers, as they are a popular insect food source.
While a pool is the perfect place to relax and cool off during the dog days of summer, it’s important to properly maintain it so that your family can swim safely. With these easy hacks, you can avoid the hassle of frequent trips to your local pool supply store and save money on expensive cleaning products and equipment. Always be sure to test your water quality before and after using any product, though, as it can have an impact on your pool’s pH balance and other vital statistics.
3. Citric Acid
You may have a box of borax in your laundry supplies because it’s good for cleaning laundry and the home, but it’s also a natural pool cleaner. It helps remove calcium build-up, grime, and stains. It’s also a great shiner for metal surfaces like ladder handles. Simply dip a sponge in the diluted vinegar and rub it over the surface to brighten it up. It works just as well as commercial metal polishes and is much cheaper!
Baking soda is another non-abrasive, natural pool cleaner. You can use it to clean algae off your pool tile, brushing the walls to prevent and remove stains, and even scrub away sticky residue or slippery spots from the deck. It’s less expensive than most special pool cleaners and also can help boost the alkalinity of your water (add 1.5 pounds per 10,000 gallons to reach the ideal level).
It’s not as harsh as muriatic acid, but it still needs to be handled carefully. Always wear protective clothing to avoid splashes that burn and protect your eyes if you accidentally get some in them. This acid is a powerful stain remover but can also damage a swimming pool if not properly rinsed and neutralized with a base. Acid washing is a job best left to professional cleaners.
Adding a citric acid to your pool is one of the most effective ways to clear up metal stains, especially iron and copper. Citric acid acts as a reducing agent to lift the stain-causing metal particles from surfaces, turning them into colorless, soluble ions. You can buy it in a concentrated form or in a formulated pool stain remover.
Once you’ve added the citric acid to your water, stir the water thoroughly so it gets evenly distributed throughout the entire pool. Leave it to do its work for 12 to 24 hours. Remember to test the water before you go swimming, especially after a heavy storm or bad weather. This will ensure that your cyanuric acid is in the proper range to keep the chlorine working effectively. If your cyanuric acid is too low, your pool can’t be sanitized, which can lead to algae and bacteria build-up.
4. Bleach
When it comes to keeping your pool water clean, chlorine and pH are the first line of defense against germs that can make you sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends maintaining a sanitizer level of between 1-3 ppm. Although there are many different kinds of sanitizers, bleach is an inexpensive option that can be used to quickly and effectively kill bacteria in the water and on surfaces around the pool.
Bleach can also be used to remove stains from your pool deck. Mix a solution of one part bleach to three parts water and apply the liquid to the affected areas, then scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly. This is especially helpful after a pool party or other event that sees a lot of people enter and exit the water.
In addition to its cleaning properties, bleach is also used to kill algae and bacteria in your pool water. This is called shocking the pool, and it’s necessary to sanitize your pool water on a regular basis. Chlorine levels in your pool can degrade over time due to sunlight, swimmers, leaves, insects and other factors, but shocking the water regularly will help keep bacteria and algae at bay.
Another benefit of chlorine is that it’s great for removing rust from your metal pool equipment. Mix a solution of bleach and water, then soak the equipment in it for half an hour before rinsing it off. This will effectively sanitize the equipment, making it safe to use again.
One downside of chlorine is that it creates a lot of gas, which can be dangerous to anyone in close proximity, but particularly young children and infants. This is why it’s important to store your jugs of chlorine in a cool, dry place indoors and not outside. In addition, if you’re using liquid chlorine treatments for your pool, be sure that the jugs have at least 10% sodium hypochlorite and don’t contain any unwanted colors or fragrances.
If you are out of vinegar and lemon juice, check your medicine cabinet for rubbing alcohol (also known as isopropyl alcohol). It’s great for removing sticky gunk and polishing stainless steel surfaces. It’s also an effective substitute for chlorine in a pinch because it has similar disinfecting properties.