How To Clean The Sides Of Above Ground Pool

9 Easy Pool Liner Cleaning Tips Every Owner Should Follow

Pool Scrubbing Mitt

Last Updated 9/22/21

While most of us would rather be enjoying the pool than cleaning it, cleaning your swimming pool is part of life for pool owners. When done regularly and properly, cleaning will help keep your vinyl pool liner in tip-top shape. As you pull out the sponges, vacuums, and pool scrubbers, check out these tips to help make your cleaning process more efficient and prevent major maintenance issues down the road.

1. Never drain your vinyl liner pool for cleaning.

We can't stress enough that you should NEVER drain your above ground pool during a routine cleaning if you have a vinyl liner. The water in the pool helps secure the pool liner, and by draining the water you risk damaging it. Most cleaning can be done without draining your pool.

2. Clean your pool at least once a week.

Removing debris, vacuuming , and brushing the vinyl pool liner on a regular basis will help reduce the likelihood of major stains and pool maintenance issues. There are plenty of pool apps for your smartphone that can help keep you on a regular cleaning regimen. The more you and your family use your above ground pool, the more often you should clean it.

3. Use a tennis ball to absorb oils.

Whether you shower before using your pool or not, oils from sweat, hair products, and sunscreen get left behind in your pool while swimming. The solution? Throw a tennis ball or two in the water and leave it there. The fibers on a tennis ball can help absorb these oils, keeping your water cleaner longer and preventing long-term damage, stains, and fading to your vinyl pool liner.

4. Try using natural cleaners.

If you're not one for harsh chemicals, there are plenty of natural and organic options for removing stubborn stains on your pool liner. White vinegar or organic dish soap are great alternatives and can help you tackle most mildew and stains with less health and environmental impact. They're also cheaper than many of the other pool cleaners you can buy.

Pro tip: Be careful when using any cleaner to avoid bleaching or fading your liner. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions and test new cleaning products on a small area before moving forward.

5. Always brush toward the floor.

When brushing dirt off the above ground pool walls, always start high and brush down toward the floor. That way, the debris will fall to the floor and be sucked up during vacuuming rather than floating around in the water.

6. Don't forget to pay attention to hard-to-reach areas.

Vacuums and brushes can sometimes have a hard time maneuvering around the obstacles in your pool, like stairs, ladders, skimmers and gaskets. When cleaning your vinyl pool liner, it's best to give those hard-to-clean areas some love by scrubbing them by hand with a smaller tool, like a pool cleaning mitt . It will prevent dirt and debris from building up there over time and damaging your liner.

7. Invest in a robotic pool cleaner.

Robotic pool cleaners are awesome! They reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do and they'll clean your pool faster and better than you can. You can't beat the convenience, and you'll be preventing stains and damage to your vinyl pool liner without doing much work yourself.

8. Test your water chemistry regularly.

Good water chemistry is incredibly important when it comes to cleaning your pool. Dirt and debris can impact your water chemistry, so you should always do a water chemistry test before and after you clean your pool to make sure levels are where they should be. Proper water chemistry will help prevent algae and other debris that can stain and damage your liner, so it's an important preventative maintenance step.

9. Get the pool cleaned professionally at least once a year.

The most efficient way to clean your vinyl pool liner? Have someone else do it! The advanced equipment professionals use goes beyond what you are able to do with your own cleaning accessories and water testing kits. A good cleaning service will also inspect your liner and all your parts to make sure your pool is in good working order, potentially saving you money on serious maintenance issues down the road. We recommend having a professional check out your pool at least once a year.

We hope these tips help you keep your pool cleaner and save you time, money, and energy throughout the swimming season. If your pool liner has seen better days and you need a replacement, we're here to help. LinerWorld has a wide selection of bold, colorful liners for your above ground swimming pool.

Shop Swimming Pool Liners From LinerWorld

For more about cleaning and maintaining your swimming pool, check out these links…

Read Now:
Tips for Cleaning Your Swimming Pool Toys & Floats
How to Sanitize your Pool, Patio, and Pool Accessories
Complete Above Ground Swimming Pool Maintenance Guide

Pool Liner Cleaning Tips