5 Steps To A Cleaner Pool This Summer

How to Achieve A Sparkling Clean Swimming Pool? 

With summer swinging in, there is no doubt that we are all excited about finally being able to use the pool in our backyards. At the same time, none of us are all that excited about having to clean it first. 

Here are 5 quick and simple steps to follow in the pool cleaning process. Before you start, keep your equipment manuals and product labels handy, as procedures and dosing vary between models and brands. 

1. Clean The Outside Before The Inside 

Pick up the fallen leaves on the rim of the pool or on the platform and surrounding surface. Do this first so that when you start on the pool, waste from the outside does not keep blowing in and doubling your work. Collect all the green waste in a bucket and toss it in the green waste bin. 

2. Vacuum The Pool 

Use a pool cleaner to vacuum the pool so any leaves, stems, plastic bags and wrappers that blew in can be lifted out. Vacuuming also helps lift loose algae and debris from the pool floor. How long this takes depends on the size of your pool and how dirty it is, so work steadily rather than to a set time. Walk around the pool in a slow, overlapping pattern and make sure you don't leave any area unattended. 

Use a soft brush or pool-safe cloth to wipe off any algae deposits on the sides. Check what your pool surface can tolerate before scrubbing, as abrasive pads can mark or damage some finishes. 

3. Clean The Filter 

Your pool could have one of three filter types, and each is cleaned differently. Check which one you have before you start, and always follow the instructions in your equipment manual, as procedures vary between models. 

Cartridge filters are not backwashed. The cartridge is removed from the housing and rinsed, then refitted once cleaned. Check your manual for how often this should be done and when the cartridge needs replacing. 

Sand filters are cleaned by backwashing, which reverses the water flow to flush trapped dirt out of the sand bed. Your manual will tell you how long to run the backwash cycle and whether a rinse cycle is needed afterwards. 

Diatomaceous earth filters are also backwashed, but the filter medium needs to be recharged afterwards. Your manual will specify the correct type and quantity. 

Whichever filter you have, direct the discharge hose away from the pool and from any plants in your backyard, as the water carries dirt and pool chemicals. Check your manual for the recommended cleaning interval, since the water can look clean while the filter is still collecting dirt that is invisible to the naked eye. 

4. Clean The Pool Pump 

Next, clean out the pool pump. Switch the pump off at the power supply before opening it and follow the shutdown steps in your equipment manual. More often than not, you will find lint, hair, leaves and the like inside the pump basket. Left there, that debris restricts flow and puts the pump under unnecessary strain. 

If the pump basket is cracked or the strainer is torn, it will need replacing. Keeping the pump clean matters, as this is where the water circulates from. 

5. Add The Blue - Chlorine 

Chlorine comes in liquid, powder, and tablet form. Tablets are usually the easiest to use, as they sit in a dispenser or floater rather than being added directly to the water. Whichever form you use, follow the dosing instructions on the product label, as concentrations vary between brands. Never mix different chlorine products or add chemicals to the pool while people are in the water and store them out of reach of children and pets. 

Purchasing the right pool maintenance products for the kind of pool you have is important. You can find products online as well as in stores. Sticking with one product also makes dosing more predictable, since concentrations differ between brands. 

There you have it, a summer-ready pool in 5 simple steps. With the water sorted, it's worth looking at the space around it. A pair of sun lounges turns the poolside into somewhere you actually want to spend the afternoon, and our wider outdoor furniture range covers dining settings, lounges and shade to finish the space off.

Last reviewed: September 2026.