How to Clean a Pool

Weekly pool cleaning services can be costly. Luckily, cleaning your swimming pool is actually fairly easy when you follow a few simple steps. In fact, you'll probably be surprised at what a good job you do. Put away your checkbook and start swimming in crystal clear waters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chemical test kit
• Pool skimmer net
• Pool brush
• Pool vacuum
• Chlorine and other pool chemicals

1. Test your pool water to determine the levels of chemicals present. Purchase a test kit at a pool supply store or a retailer like Wal-Mart. Follow the test kit's instructions precisely.

2. Skim the pool with a net to pick up any leaves, bugs or debris floating on the water's surface.

3. Brush the swimming pool with the brush. Start at the shallow end of the pool, and brush the walls from top to bottom. Then brush the dirt and debris on the bottom down to the deep end, towards the main drain.

4. Empty the skimmer baskets located at each end of the pool of any debris that has collected.

5. Check your pool's pump basket, and clean as needed. Turn off your system and turn the skimmers and main drain to "Closed." Remove the basket and clean out debris. Replace the basket and turn the main drain valve back to "Open." Turn your system back on, and then open the skimmer valves.

6. Vacuum your pool as needed. Most of the time simply brushing your pool and running the filter will do the trick. Some pools even have cleaners that run along the bottom of the pool, catching any debris that sits. Follow your pool's instruction manual for vacuuming instructions if necessary.

7. Add appropriate chemicals. Follow the recommendations from the test kit you used in Step 1.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a commercial pool shock treatment occasionally to help boost the power of pool chemicals to clear algae buildup and residue from hair products and lotions.
• Have your pool's water professionally tested regularly for chemicals you can't pick up with a test kit. Bring a sample of your pool's water to a pool supply store. The staff will test it and recommend any additional treatments.

[ponyboy]

on 11/2/2007 Don't brush your pool before vacuuming. Doing so will stir up the dust and will take a while to settle.
Vacuum before you brush, then when you brush you will stir the dirt from any spots you missed with the vacuum and will give your pool a pristine appearance (even though you know that there's a little bit of dust left behind).
Also, it's quicker not to try and vacuum the walls of the pool, just use the brush (yes, after you vacuum). The minimal amount of dirt on the walls won't be visible once brushed and dispersed around the pool.