Pool ownership comes with plenty of fun and joy, but it can also be a pretty big responsibility. There are filters to clean, chemicals to balance, surfaces to skim, among many other maintenance tasks. For many people, maintain their pool is more of a chore than an enjoyable part of owning it. However, a few pool cleaning hacks should make pool maintenance much less of a nightmare. You can take advantage of some of these maintenance techniques in between routine cleaning.
Use Pantyhose to Collect Debris
Using an ordinary skimmer basket to get rid of fine debris such as dirt, grass and dog hair from your pool can be hectic. A simple trick that will make your work easier is to line a pantyhose in your skimmer. The pantyhose will help you to collect more fine debris, even saving your filter from having to work extra hard. This trick also comes in handy when your skimmer net becomes degraded or torn.
Clean Tiles with Baking Soda and a Toothbrush
Baking soda works wonders as a household cleaner, and it can also help to get rid of dirty water lines on tiles. Simply make a paste made from baking powder and some water. Then grab a brush or sponge and scrub away the dirt. Use a toothbrush for corners and tough to reach spots. Baking soda is safe to use on a pool and can also help to maintain your pool’s PH levels.
Tennis Balls for Removing Oils
Who knew tennis balls are good for more than just tennis? You can repurpose a few extra balls to clean your pool. Throw in a couple of tennis balls into your pool and let their velvety texture absorb oils such as sweat, cosmetics, sunscreen and sebum from the pool’s surface.
Use Leaf Blower
Turn on your leaf blower to get rid of leaf litter, or dirt that’s been collecting on your pool cover. When you’re not using your pool and have it covered, make a habit of removing twigs, leaves and other debris on the cover. Letting dirt build up will not only make your pool unsightly but also lead to algae growth and damage to your pool cover.
Try Food Coloring to Detect Leakages
If you suspect your pool is leaking, usually after noticing the water level going down quickly, then you can use food coloring to detect the source. Start by shutting off the pump and look at your pool keenly for evidence of debris or cracks that are attached to the pool surface. Drop some of the food coloring around these areas, and you’ll know there’s a leak when the coloring flows at the spot of the leakage.
In Conclusion
Sometimes it feels like you’re spending plenty on chemicals just to keep your water balanced, and removing leaves and debris out of the pool daily. Pool maintenance may even feel like a never-ending task. Nonetheless, the right pool cleaning hacks make the world of pool cleaning much more straightforward.