Summer is here! Though you may be ready to dive in, do you have a system in place for keeping your pool clean? No matter which one of the common pool stains you’re trying to get rid of, our four ways to clean pool tile are here to help you keep yours sparkling.
3 COMMON POOL STAINS
- Algae
- Calcium
- White Mold
Pro Tip: When it comes to the tools, cleaners, and methods that will work best for your pool, your owner’s manual will be your best friend!
Option #1: Push away the algae with a pool brush
For everyday cleaning, use a soft pool brush to keep buildup at bay. Two to three times a week, go in with a handheld option (If you’re already swimming), or one with a handle (Some are 20 feet long) to scrub away any algae, and you’re good to go!
Option #2: Use pumice power to cancel calcium stains
Did you know pumice can help you keep your pool clean? Though different from the kind used for exfoliation, natural pumice stones can remove any of the major pool stains.
HOW TO CLEAN WITH IT Pool surfaces made of tile, plaster, and concrete have been shown to work well with natural pumice. Follow these steps to use your 100% natural pumice stone.
- Wet your stone and the surface you want to clean (Pool water is fine).
- Gently scrub a small section of the stain at a 45-degree angle.
- If only the stain is removed, you should be good to finish removing the entire stain!
Clean and reset your pool pumice stone by soaking it in soapy hot water before air drying, or use an old toothbrush to scrub it with dish soap before doing the same. Afterward, store it somewhere cool and dry to prevent bacteria from making it their newest home.
Pro Tip: If any small pieces break off, they should readily be filtered out by your pool system.
Option #3: Make white mold move over with a bevy of supplies
White mold may not be a type of pool buildup at the top of your mind, but it’s crucial to address any you may see to maintain your pool’s safety (More likely in indoor pools, due to less sunlight).
Though white mold dies when it dries, it’s often joined by pink slime, which can get people sick. This set of steps is longer than the others, but once you’re done, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your laps again.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Because white mold can get into everything, you’ll need most of your pool supplies to get rid of it, including:
- New filters for your filter pump (2-3)
- Pool chemicals
- Chlorine shock (meant to spike chlorine levels after exposure to contaminants)
- Soft brush (long or short handle)
- Pool skimmer
- Pool vacuum
HOW TO CLEAN IT
Day 1
- Examine and run your filter pump to rule out any concerns with how it operates.
- Clean your filter pump’s filter to remove any mold it may be harboring.
- Balance your pool chemicals.
- Add chlorine shock and let it run for 3 days, keeping the chlorine at 30 ppm the entire time.
Day 4
- Remove any white mold from the pool walls with a soft brush.
- Skim what you removed.
- Follow it up with a pool vacuum.
- Use a soft brush before skimming any leftover white mold floating around.
- Deep clean your pool accessories, like toys, lights, and ladders.
- Clean or replace the filter again.
- Balance your pool’s pH.
- Jump in!
No matter if you’re cleaning a little or a lot, you’ve got what you need to keep your pool tile gunk-free. Here’s to cleaner cannonballs!
