A sparkling pool transforms a backyard into a retreat. Neglect it for even a week, and algae, debris, and murky water take over. The cleaning process demands the right tools, proper water chemistry knowledge, and a structured routine that protects both the pool shell and the swimmers who use it.

What You’ll Need

Gather a telescopic pole, leaf skimmer, pool brush, vacuum head, test kit, and chemicals. Water treatment products include chlorine, pH adjusters, and algaecide. Use a stainless steel pole for durability. Salt water pools need a test kit that reads salinity levels. Store chemicals in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.

Time and Difficulty

A full pool clean takes 2 to 3 hours at a moderate difficulty level. Baking soda raises alkalinity when levels drop below the safe range. Properties near christmas hills and bushland areas deal with heavier leaf fall. Poor air quality days deposit fine particles on the water surface. Allow extra time after storms.

Prepare the Pool

Inspect the pool area and remove large debris, furniture, and toys from the deck. Hydrotherapy pools and residential pools both need the same preparation. Turn off automatic pool cleaners before manual cleaning. Empty the pool skimmer basket into a bin. Check the water level sits at the midpoint of the skimmer opening.

Clean the Skim and Remove Debris

Skim the surface with a flat leaf rake attached to the telescopic pole. Work from one end to the other in overlapping strokes. An acid wash treats heavy staining on plaster pools after draining.

The filtration system removes suspended particles that skimming misses. For example, a pool in kangaroo valley surrounded by eucalyptus trees fills with leaves daily and needs twice-daily skimming during autumn.

Clean the Brush the Walls and Floor

Brush all surfaces with a pool wall brush, working from the waterline down to the floor. Algae clings to rough surfaces like the barrier reef holds coral. Use a stiff nylon brush on concrete pools and a softer brush on fibreglass or vinyl.

Royal blue pool finishes show algae spots faster than darker colours. Brush toward the main drain. For example, start at the shallow end steps and work toward the deep end drain in straight lines.

Clean the Vacuum the Pool

Connect the vacuum head to the telescopic pole and suction line. A manual pool cleaner gives more control than automatic models. Move across the floor in slow, overlapping rows. Pool cleaners, both robotic and manual, struggle with fine sediment kicked up by fast movements. Keep a steady pace.

Warning: Never run the pump dry while vacuuming. Air in the suction line damages the pump impeller.

Clean the Clean the Filter

Backwash or disassemble the filter based on the type installed: sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth. The 3 filter types each trap different particle sizes and require different maintenance. Sand filters require backwashing until the sight glass runs clear. A sand filter in a medium pool needs backwashing every 2 to 4 weeks. Cartridge filters require hosing with a garden nozzle. Replace filter media on the schedule set by the manufacturer.

Clean the Test and Balance Water Chemistry

Test the water with a liquid or strip test kit for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and stabiliser levels. pH balance sits at the centre of pool chemistry — a reading between 7.2 and 7.6 keeps chlorine active and swimmers comfortable. Adjust chlorine first, then pH, then alkalinity.

Warning: Adding acid and chlorine at the same time creates toxic chlorine gas. Dose chemicals at least 4 hours apart.

Water clarity improves within 24 hours of correct chemical dosing. Record results in a logbook to track trends. Different algae types respond to different chlorine doses, so identifying the colour of the bloom guides the treatment strength.

Reassemble and Test

Reconnect all equipment and run the pump for a full filter cycle. Check for green algae returning within 48 hours of treatment. A well-maintained pool adds value to real estate at resale. Inspect the pump basket, timer, and chlorinator during this step. Listen for unusual pump noises.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Pool

Avoid adding chemicals directly to the skimmer box, draining the pool without advice, or mixing chlorine with acid. Indoor pools still need ventilation during chemical dosing. Plunge pools with small volumes react faster to chemical imbalance. Never swim within 30 minutes of adding chemicals.

Pool Cleaning Checklist

[ ] Skim — surface debris, empty skimmer basket
[ ] Brush — walls, floor, steps, waterline tiles
[ ] Vacuum — entire floor in slow overlapping rows
[ ] Filter — backwash or clean cartridge
[ ] Chemistry — test and balance pH, chlorine, alkalinity

Infinity pools and standard swimming pools follow the same checklist. Complete each step in order.

How to Maintain Pool After Cleaning

Maintain the pool by running the pump 8 to 10 hours daily and testing water twice a week. Lap pools with higher usage need more frequent testing. Pools & spas benefit from a quarterly professional inspection.

Skim leaves daily. Brush walls once a week. Empty the skimmer basket after storms.

FAQ

What chlorine level should my pool be at? Maintain 1.0 to 3.0 ppm of free chlorine at all times. A reading of 1.5 ppm handles standard disinfection. Pools with heavy bather loads or direct sunlight exposure burn through chlorine faster and sit closer to the 3.0 ppm end of the range.

What is the ideal pH range for a swimming pool? The proper pH range is 7.2 to 7.8, with 7.4 to 7.6 being the sweet spot. A pH below 7.2 turns the water acidic and corrodes metal fittings, pool surfaces, and heat exchangers. A pH above 7.8 reduces chlorine effectiveness and forms calcium scale on tiles and equipment.

What should total alkalinity be in a pool? Total alkalinity acts as a pH buffer and belongs in the 80 to 120 ppm range. Low alkalinity causes pH to swing wildly after small chemical additions. Adjust alkalinity first, then correct pH, because stable alkalinity holds pH steady between tests.

What algae types grow in pools? Three main types appear in residential pools. Green algae floats freely, clouds the water, and responds to standard shock dosing. Yellow (mustard) algae clings to shaded walls and resists normal chlorine levels, requiring a triple-strength shock dose. Black algae sends roots into concrete and plaster surfaces, demands quadruple shock dosing, and returns quickly without thorough brushing.

How much chlorine shock does each algae type need? Base the dose on 1 pound of calcium hypochlorite per 10,000 litres. Green algae needs double that dose (2x). Yellow algae needs triple (3x). Black algae needs quadruple (4x). Run the filter for a minimum of 8 hours after shocking, or leave it running overnight until the water clears.

What is the difference between sand, cartridge, and DE filters? Sand filters trap particles down to 20 microns and require backwashing every 2 to 4 weeks. Cartridge filters capture particles down to 10 microns and need hosing with a garden nozzle when pressure rises. Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters catch particles as small as 5 microns and provide the finest filtration, but require recharging with DE powder after each backwash.

Why does my pool turn green right after cleaning? Green water within 48 hours signals that the chlorine dose was too low to kill all the algae. Algae spores survive weak treatments and multiply fast in warm water. Test free chlorine, shock the pool to reach at least 10 ppm, brush all surfaces to break up colonies, and run the filter continuously until the water clears.

Can I add acid and chlorine to the pool at the same time? Never dose acid and chlorine together. The two chemicals react and release toxic chlorine gas, which causes respiratory distress at low concentrations. Wait a minimum of 4 hours between adding acid (to lower pH) and adding chlorine (to sanitise). Run the pump during that gap to circulate each chemical before the next addition.

How often should I test my pool water? Test pH and free chlorine twice per week during swimming season. Test total alkalinity and stabiliser (cyanuric acid) once per week. After heavy rain, a pool party, or a chemical dose, test again within 12 hours. Record every result in a logbook to spot trends before they become problems.

What does cyanuric acid do in a pool? Cyanuric acid (stabiliser) shields chlorine from ultraviolet breakdown. Without it, direct sunlight destroys up to 90 percent of free chlorine within 2 hours. The target range is 30 to 50 ppm. Levels above 70 ppm lock chlorine and reduce its sanitising power, a condition called chlorine lock.

How To Clean A Pool