Pools are a great way to cool down and refresh on a hot day, but a clean and crystal clear pool is a definite must for an enjoyable swim. The good news is that cleaning and maintaining a pool doesn't have to be that troublesome. And the more frequent you do it, the less of a chore it becomes.
To help you get a better idea of how you can better clean your pool, here's a checklist you can follow.
Step 1. Get Rid of Any Solid Debris
People who are often busy usually hire people to clean their pools. Quick pool cleaners usually just skim the pool surface with a net of some kind. But if you have time on a weekend, you can easily do it yourself.
Just take your handy skimming tool and remove all forms of debris in the pool. This can be leaves, pieces of paper, and the likes. After gathering all the waste, make sure to stash it in the trash away from the pool, so it doesn't get swept back in by the wind.
If there are trees, bushes, or shrubs near the pool, try trimming them to avoid their foliage falling off into the water. If the plant species have pollens and blooms, try replacing it with something less messy.
Step 2. Put the Vacuum in Place
Point the nozzle of the vacuum's return jets towards the sides of the pool. This will prevent too many bubbles and ripples from forming so you can still see the pool's bottom.
After you connect your vacuum to its hose, prop the pole up while the vacuum head is floating above the pool water. After that, you can just use one of the jet's nozzles and fill your free hose. Keep doing this just until water ends up pouring out of your vacuum.
Once full, put the vacuum head under the water. Then keep your hand on the hose just until you have it connected to the skimmer.
Step 3. Start Vacuuming
This part usually takes some time. But just move across the pool as if you're mowing your lawn. Complete the cleaning process by removing algae that press against the sides of the pool.
Step 4. Check the Chemicals
This step should be done weekly. Although it will require a few tools, this can still be done by a complete newbie. Just adjust the water's pH level first.
If the pH is above 7.6, make use of muriatic acid. And if it's below 7.4, use soda ash.
Step 5. Clean Out the Pump Filter
Shut the system first before cleaning out the filter. Then, shut the skimmer valve. After that, just remove the lint pieces and other debris stuck in there.
Step 6. Use Chlorine
There are many ways to do this, depending on what resources you have. If your pool has a chlorinator, you'll most likely end up with chlorine sticks that dissolve in water. You can also make use of a floating container with chlorine in it. But keep kids and pets away from the pool while the chlorine dissolves.
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