How to clean above ground pool?

You can tip the pool to drain, siphon the water with a hose, then use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any residual water left on the pool floor. Next, using a circular motion, apply the cleaning solution to the surface of the entire swimming pool. This removes dirt, bacteria and other debris that attaches to the pool.

An essential part of managing an above ground pool is a proper pool maintenance routine so the water stays fresh and free of harmful bacteria.

Whether your pool has algae growth, cloudy water, or gunk buildup, we teach you how to utilize an excellent pool cleaner. It is crucial to remember that above ground pool cleaning is slightly different from in-ground pool cleaning.

The pool water in above ground pools takes a little longer to completely clear algae and debris. If you want to clear a cloudy above ground pool, this article describes how to do so efficiently.

Pool cleaning is necessary so the pool’s water is safe for swimming. Continue reading to find easy ways to clean brown algae out of your pool and hot tub to keep your water clean and clear all summer.

Before choosing an above ground pool cleaning method, it is helpful to understand how your pool filter works.

An above ground pool pump filters water with a sand filter, removing organic materials from the water like dirt, plants, insects, sunscreen, and hair.

Although sand filtration is the most popular, there are two other filters for above ground pools. A cartridge filter and a diatomaceous earth filter are the two different options for a filter system.

No matter what filtration system your pool has, the cleaning tools we show you work well.

No one wants to swim in a pool with excess algae in the water. To clean a green above ground pool and get rid of green algae in the pool, all that is needed is liquid chlorine and a pool pump.

To get rid of algae in pools, start by adding your liquid chlorine to the water. This amount of chlorine destroys living algae in your pool’s water. The next step to remove algae from an above ground pool is to utilize your pool pump.

Run your pool pump or filter for 12 hours to let the algae settle to the bottom of the pool. The pump pulls water from the pool’s skimmer and main drains and flows it through the filter, removing algae from pool bottom as well as other contaminants.

Another option is to use an algaecide to eliminate unwanted algae. Make sure only to use one algae removing method and not combine them.

An essential part of above ground pool care is vacuuming. A pool vacuum connects to the skimmer or a particular suction line. The vacuum head moves around the pool to collect debris, leaves, and other sediments found in swimming pools.

Of course, proper landscaping around the pool can help keep out leaves and branches. Choose some of the best trees to plant around a pool to minimize this type of maintenance.

When it comes to pool vacuums, there are two different kinds – manual and automatic. Pool owners usually prefer an automated pool vacuum because the vacuum does the work for you with minimal human interaction. To vacuum an above ground pool manually, you must guide the machine around the bottom of the pool much like you vacuum a rug.

For a consistent way to clean a pool, run your pool vacuum every day to collect any excess debris that falls into the water.

Both types of pool vacuums are safe for fresh and saltwater pools. With an automatic pool vacuum, above ground pool cleaning is easier.

If your pool has cloudy water, the pH level is not where it is supposed to be. To clear a cloudy above ground pool, the pH levels must fall between 7.3 and 7.6.

When pH levels climb above 7.8, there is too much alkalinity in the water, which reduces how effective chlorine is. To clear cloudy water in above ground pool systems, use baking soda to balance the pH levels.

Baking soda is an alkalinity increaser and has a natural pH of 8.0, allowing your pool water to have balanced pH and alkalinity levels.

When it comes to balancing pool water pH levels, the general rule of thumb is to incorporate one and a half pounds of baking soda for every 10,000 gallons of water to raise the alkalinity by ten ppm.

How to keep a pool clean involves pouring the baking soda directly into the pool’s water, ensuring that you spread out the powder across the pool.

You can also clean a jetted tub with vinegar and baking soda to eliminate stains and sanitize the tub. Use the same solution as a patio furniture wash, depending on the material. It’s great for plastic.

Another thing to help clear a cloudy above ground pool is to ensure the chlorine level is balanced correctly. Test strips indicate the ppm chlorine levels. Hold the strip in the water for a few seconds, then match the color on the strip with the ppm chart.

Although bleach can act as a sanitizer for the pool, it is best to use chlorine. Using either chlorine tablets or granular chlorine, pre-dissolve the measured amount in a bucket and pour the cleaner along the pool liner for the way to shock a pool.

Never pour chlorine directly into the skimmer. When a pool has the right amount of chlorine in the water, it reduces the chances of red eyes and swimmer’s itch.

Backwashing your pool water reverses water flow through the filter, allowing debris and dirt to dislodge through the process.

It is best to backwash your pool once a week for the best above ground pool cleaning practices, generally after you have vacuumed the pool. Turn off the pool pump and switch the valve to its backwash position.

After running water for two minutes, turn off the pump and change it to the rinse position. Run the water for another minute before turning the pump off.

Before you turn the pump back on, reset the filter valve. With a strict pool maintenance routine, understanding how to clean an above ground pool is simpler than it initially appears.

Companies like Intex have been making innovative above ground pools for several years, which provide a fun way to enjoy the heat while being less expensive than in-ground pools.

Above ground pool cleaning is an essential part of keeping the water clean and safe to swim in. Chlorine levels help kill harmful bacteria, while baking soda helps clear a cloud above ground pool.

Your backyard pool is ground zero for summertime fun.

Cooling off on hot, sunny days, drinks in hand, are kind of the best.

But you know what’s not the best?

The cleaning and maintenance that comes with being an above-ground pool owner.

As tedious as it can be, cleaning an above-ground pool is actually pretty simple when you’ve got a simple checklist in place.

In this guide, we’ll take you step-by-step to cleaning an above ground pool like a total boss.

Next stop, cool, crystal-clear pool water!

Nothing quite gets a summer day off worse than peeling back the cover on your above ground pool and seeing dirty, murky water.

A cloudy pool can be frustrating, but getting to the root of the cause is a handy way to avoid it getting cloudy again down the road.

Here are the most common causes of a dirty above-ground pool:

A lot of people like to place their pools under trees, for added shade. Keeping cool works better when you can shade yourself from the sun, after all.

While this isn’t exactly a bad idea, it can make it more susceptible to cloudiness.

Leaves and twigs fall, bugs, bird droppings, along with the potential of other critter droppings and organic matter can find its way into the water.

Even if your pool isn’t near a tree, it can still attract dirt and debris.

If you live in an area that’s windy and/or dry, it can blow dust around and into the water. It doesn’t take much dirt or runoff water from a storm to contaminate a pool and make it look murky.

You can avoid most dirt and debris by routinely covering your pool overnight (which will also save you money on pool heating costs) and when it’s not in use.

Another common cause of cloudy pools is a filter that isn’t being run long enough (or broken altogether!).

If this is your first above-ground pool, you may not know what to expect from a pump and filtration system. The pump should be running long enough to filter the full volume of the pool water over at least once a day.

Alternatively, you may simply need to clean your filter.

If you notice your filter isn’t pushing water through as it normally does, there may be some kind of clog or obstruction going on.

Routinely emptying and cleaning your pool filter will help save you a ton of time cleaning your above-ground pool over the course of the summer season.

For most new pool owners, the most confusing aspect of cleaning and maintaining the water is balancing the pool chemicals.

Use the wrong type or amount of chemicals, and you could be doing more harm than good.

While pH itself may not cause cloudy water, it does make a huge difference in how chlorine and other crucial chemicals react in the pool water.

For example, a notably high pH can keep calcium from dissolving correctly, which can actually cause foggy water.

See also: How to Drain an Above Ground Pool

On the other end of the spectrum, if pH is too low, chlorine becomes particularly reactive, depleting quickly.

This leads to forming combined chlorine (the “smelly” chlorine), also causing cloudy water.

Moreover, it can prevent the chlorine from effectively eliminating bacteria, and algae, among other microorganisms we don’t want in the pool.

This is usually an issue found more in larger above-ground pools and pools that have lots of fixtures and loose pool lining.

Poor water circulation can end up with algae growth, which you may find in the “dead spots” of the pool.

Dead spots are where there’s little-to-no circulation of water, which tend to be located behind pool ladders, by steps, under the skimmer, in cracks, nooks, crannies, and liner folds.

You may be thinking, “but I have a pump that’s supposed to fix that for me!”.

And you’d be right, a pump is designed to circulate your pool water.

However, it’s harder to get that water moving in the spots we just mentioned.

Alrighty, let’s get our Mr. Clean on and get this pool cleaned and ready for action.

First, it’s important to determine if your pool uses a filtration system or not as that will decide our course of action.

For pool owners without a filtration system, you probably have an inflatable pool or one that isn’t supposed to be filled for long periods of time.

In this case, when the water is dirty or contaminated in some way, you simply drain it and refill it.

For smaller above-ground pools, this is ideal, as they need the water to be switched out after just a few uses.

However, after they’re drained, you should scrub and clean the inside to eliminate the growth of algae while getting rid of dirt and grime.

Follow these step-by-step instructions for best results:

Pool owners that have a filter and pump will have a few more steps.

Using your pool skimmer or net, collect larger debris that has fallen into the water (leaves, debris, etc).

One of the problems unique to above ground pools is that they don’t have a drain system that makes cleaning debris a more manual task.

Your filter pump will circulate all pool water through the filter to eliminate debris and other grime.

However, you should ensure the filter pump runs for at least 8 hours a day for best results so that it has a chance to filter ALL the water in the pool.

You can automate this task by using a pool pump timer so that it turns off and on on its own, based on your preferred schedule.

When dirt and debris gets caught in the filter, it can leave the pool cloudy.

If your pressure gauge is 8-10 pounds above the norm, try backwashing your pool.

If you’re not sure what the “normal” pressure is, check out the filter manufacturer’s guide.

(You can also reference this more detailed guide about how to backwash a pool sand filter.)

If you’re using a cartridge filter it needs cleaning every now-and-then.

To do so, turn off the filter, take out the cartridge, and spray it down with a garden hose when you see the pressure meter reading 5-10 pounds above normal.

Easey-peasey!

This should be done on a weekly basis or more, depending on where your pool is located and how much tree overhang and organic debris is landing in the water.

You’ll be surprised how much stuff lands in the pool that isn’t as obvious, from dead insects to leaves to dirt from the feet of pool users.

The pump basket is where all the dirt and debris collects, so make sure to take out the basket and empty the contents.

If needed, spray it out with a garden hose to get rid of any remnants.

This should also be done regularly, depending on how quickly the pool water becomes contaminated.

Ideally, this should be done every day so it never becomes clogged up.

Alright, now that we’ve filtered the pool water, cleaned the filter, removed any foreign visitors, and emptied the pump/skimmer baskets, it’s time to put some sweat equity into the pool by giving it a good brush.

Attach a pool brush to a telescopic pole, making sure it can reach all wall surfaces and hit all the corners, behind the pool ladder, and so on.

Opt for a brush with nylon bristles that won’t tear up your pool liner.

Depending on the amount of grime and angle, you may choose to use a handheld brush as well.

Always brush in a downward motion to loosen up any algae and dirt.

Okay, we’re almost there!

The final cleaning task is vacuuming the pool.

I like to do this last, after all the scrubbing and basket-clearing, as you get a chance to sweep up the last remnants of any dirt, organic matter, or other uninvited party guests.

A basic pool vacuum hooks up the pump and filter system, sucking up and filtering the water.

(You can reference this article on how to vacuum an above ground pool for more information on this specific task.)

Once done, it’s time to put our lab coat on and get down with some chemistry.

Awesome—we’ve basically gotten to the end of our little process!

Now it’s time to pull out our trusty pool testing kit and see where things are at with pool chemistry.

Ideally, the water should have:

Treat as necessary to achieve those ranges, and you are basically back in business.

And as always, run the pool pump and filter so that water is properly circulating and being cleaned.

Pool vacuums are perfect for this!

There are two kinds: the handheld pool vacuums that have a long telescoping pole and the automatic, robotic pool vacuums that work on auto-pilot.

Both connect to the pool filter system to get after all that dirt, debris, and algae that is forming on the bottom and even the sides of your pool.

Automatic pool vacuums obviously have the added benefit of doing most of the hard work on its own.

You’ll need chlorine (either liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets), a good pool shock, water balancers, algaecides, and cyanuric acid.

Other chemicals you may require in the cleaning process include flocculants, stain removers, and dedicated vinyl/tile cleaners for scrubbing the pool liner clean.

And of course, you will want a digital pool testing kit or your basic pool test strips to make sure that the pool chemistry is balanced.

Whether you already have an above-ground pool in your backyard or are looking to set one up soon, it’s important to know how to clean above-ground pools first. Without proper maintenance and care, your pool could become dirty or even unsafe to swim in due to chemical imbalances.

While you could hire a local pool cleaning service and pay them to maintain your above-ground pool, maintaining and cleaning a swimming pool on your own is fairly straightforward. DIY pool care not only saves on pool maintenance costs, but you may also find that you enjoy spending time keeping your pool swim-ready. Read on to learn more about above-ground pool maintenance, including what you need to do to keep your pool clean, the water clear, and the chlorine and pH levels balanced.

RELATED: Planning Guide: Above-Ground Swimming Pools

It’s essential to maintain the right balance of chlorine and pH levels in any kind of pool. Chlorine keeps pool water clean and eliminates bacteria, microorganisms, and algae. However, chlorine levels diminish over time with exposure to the sun, swimmers, and more. Testing your above-ground pool’s chlorine levels daily with a pool test kit—such as this multi-purpose HTH test kit—can help you keep the chlorine level between the recommended 2.0 and 4.0 parts per million (ppm). When needed, add liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets, with Clorox Pool & Spa Chlorinating Tablets coming highly recommended in our guide to the best chlorine tablets.

In addition to testing the chlorine level, it is also important to check the pool’s pH level daily. The pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. With a balanced pH, you can avoid cloudy pool water or water that irritates swimmers’ eyes. Keeping the pH between 7.4 and 7.6 also helps prevent the pool’s pump, ladders, and other surfaces from corroding. If needed, you can add some baking soda to increase the pH level of the water.

After testing and adjusting your pool’s pH and chlorine levels, you should also use a skimmer net to remove bugs and other debris from the surface. Our researched guide to the best pool skimmers has plenty of terrific choices.

Shocking an above-ground pool on a weekly basis is another important aspect of pool maintenance. Pool shock treatments like HTH Super Shock Treatment, the favorite in our guide to the best pool shock, help remove contaminants like bacteria and algae from the water. This powdered form of chlorine increases the water’s level of “free chlorine.” Shocking the pool can be especially beneficial if several people recently swam in it or following a rainstorm.

You should shock your pool in the evening. Otherwise, midday sunlight can break down the chlorine before it’s fully able to do its job. After adding shock to the pool, turn the pump on and let it run for 8 or more hours. Avoid swimming in the pool until the following day.

Running the pump daily is an important part of above-ground pool maintenance. The pump has the important job of circulating the pool’s water, which is one reason why you want to choose the best pool pump possible, such as the Hayward MaxFlo XL Pool Pump.

When the water in your pool moves around, it helps keep the pool clean. More dirt and debris will find their way into the skimmer baskets, and algae growth will become less likely. Because pumps may not circulate your water perfectly, use a pool brush or another long pool supply to agitate the water in spots with poor flow.

While you don’t need to leave your pool’s pump running constantly, running it for at least 8 hours each day is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, some manufacturers may have different recommendations, so it’s always a good idea to consult your pump’s user’s manual.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Above-Ground Pool Steps

Whether you have a cartridge, sand, or diatomaceous earth (DE) filter for your above-ground pool, make sure to clean it regularly. The pool filter is responsible for removing particles from the water, leaving it clean and safe for swimming. Without proper cleaning, the water in the pool may become polluted. It is also possible for the filter to become clogged, leading to a larger problem.

Check the manufacturer’s recommendations and clean your filter regularly. Cartridge filters should be removed and cleaned with a water hose about once a week, and they need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years. Sand and DE filters should be backwashed about once per month and replaced or refilled every 3 to 5 years.

If you need an above-ground pool filter, consider the Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump, the top pick in our guide to the best above-ground pool filters.

When thinking about how to maintain a pool, don’t forget to empty the skimmer and pump baskets daily. The skimmers pull leaves and other smaller debris floating on the water surface. These debris are then held in the skimmer basket, stopping them from finding their way to the pump or filter. Emptying these baskets as part of your above-ground pool cleaning routine will keep your pool cleaner and help prevent clogs.

In addition to emptying skimmer baskets, you should also check and empty your above-ground pool‘s pump basket every day. This basket holds debris that made it past the skimmer baskets or were pulled in through the pool’s drains. Emptying this basket daily can keep the debris from getting into the pump itself and clogging the impeller and reducing the amount of water that is flowing through the system. Before emptying the basket, remember to turn off the pump.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Above-Ground Pool Vacuum

If you live in an area where pools must be winterized, doing so properly will ensure it’s in a safe and usable shape next year. While you could pay to have a local maintenance service winterize your pool, you can also do it yourself to save money.

To winterize the pool, start by performing a thorough cleaning. It’s actually best to leave above-ground pools filled with water for the winter, rather than draining them. After cleaning the pool, ensure the chlorine and pH levels are balanced and add in winterizing chemicals, such as In the Swim’s Pool Closing Kit.

Then, remove and safely store the pump, filter, skimmer, pool lines, ladders, and any other accessories and supplies. Finally, cover the pool using an air pillow and pool cover. The air pillow will hold up the cover, preventing it from freezing with the water in the pool.

• Drain the pool water.
• Pick out/scoop any dirt and debris left behind.
• Use a specialized pool cleaning solution or use some chlorine dissolved in water to scrub down all of the surfaces of your pool.