How to Clean a Bright Green Pool

A properly cared-for swimming pool has clear, blue water.

Swimming pool water must be cleaned and treated on a regular basis to prevent algae growth. Algae spores enter pool water through rain, pollen and sometimes swimmers. Algae turns pool water green after a short time and continues to worsen the condition of the pool water until treated. Algae must be killed and then vacuumed from the pool water to ensure proper sanitary conditions are present and to return the pool water to its normal blue color.

Things You'll Need

• Algae-killing chemical
• Gloves
• Pool vacuum head
• Pool vacuum hose
• Pool pole

Instructions

1. Prepare the algae-killing chemical. Check the instructions on the chemical product being used for specific treatment directions. Chemical products are applied to the pool water at several ounces of chemical per 10,000 gallons of pool water. The most common algae treatment chemicals are applied at 16 oz. per 10,000 gallons of pool water.

2. Apply the algae treatment to the pool water. Move around the edge of the pool and pour the chemical directly into the pool water.Allow the pool to run until the green has disappeared from the pool water and dead algae is visible on the pool bottom.

3. Assemble the pool vacuuming equipment. Slip one end of the vacuum hose over the nipple on top of the vacuum head. Push the pole end over the vacuum head's handle until the two lock in place. Put the vacuum head into the pool water and let it sink to the pool bottom. Turn your pool on. Hold the free end of the vacuum hose over one of your pool's jets and let the jet fill the hose completely with water. Walk to your skimmer and set the hose end into the skimmer's hole.

4. Vacuum the dead algae from the pool bottom. Move your vacuum head over the pool bottom slowly and pick up all visible dead algae.

Tips & Warnings

• Never mix pool chemicals. Mixing different brands and types of pool chemicals can result in dangerous chemical reactions.

• Wear gloves when handling pool chemicals to avoid skin injury.

References

• Poolinfo.com: Pool Chemical Information