Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining and Cleaning Your Pool Cover

It's not just about cleanliness to maintain your pool cover; it's about efficiency, longevity, and the overall health of your pool. A well-maintained cover can significantly keep your pool cleaner. This expanded guide details properly cleaning your pool cover and tips to ensure it serves you as efficiently as possible.

The Importance of Regular Pool Cover Maintenance

There are many types of pool covers, like winter, automatic, safety covers, and leaf nets, which all play a vital role in pool maintenance. Anyway, the pool cover in this guide refers specifically to the "standard plastic pool cover" or a "basic plastic pool cover".

Regular pool cover maintenance is crucial for extending the cover's lifespan and ensuring the pool's safety and cleanliness. With proper care, pool covers can avoid wear and tear, become breeding grounds for algae and bacteria, or lose their effectiveness in heat retention and debris prevention. Regular maintenance preserves the cover's condition and maximizes its benefits. 

Detailed Steps for Cleaning Your Pool Cover

Diving deeper into the cleaning process, here's how you can ensure your pool cover remains in peak condition:

Step 1: Safely Removing the Cover

Removing the pool cover requires care and attention. Ideally, enlist the help of another person to avoid unnecessary strain on the material. Discuss and plan your approach to folding or rolling the cover to prevent accidental tears or damage.

Step 2: Preparing the Cleaning Area

Selecting the right area for cleaning your cover is crucial. Look for a clean, flat, spacious spot to accommodate the entire cover without folding or bunching. A gentle slope can aid in drainage during the rinsing process.

Step 3: Initial Rinse

Start cleaning by removing surface debris with a gentle but thorough rinse. This step prevents scratching the cover during the scrubbing process. A leaf blower can also be effective for removing loose debris before rinsing.

Step 4: Mixing the Cleaning Solution

When preparing your cleaning solution, opt for environmentally friendly soaps that won't harm your lawn or garden if you clean the cover on grass. Consider the dilution ratio to ensure the solution is effective without being too harsh on the cover's material.

Step 5: The Scrubbing Technique

The technique used for scrubbing the cover can make a significant difference. Employ a circular motion to gently lift dirt without stressing the cover material. A soft-bristled broom can be more effective for tougher stains or algae than a sponge.

Step 6: Final Rinse and Inspection

After scrubbing, a thorough rinse is necessary to remove all traces of soap, which can become a magnet for dirt if left behind. This is also an excellent time to inspect the cover for any signs of wear, such as thinning material or tears at the edges or seams.

Step 7: Drying Before Storage or Reapplication

Drying the cover prevents mildew and makes it easier to handle and inspect. Hang the cover over a clean fence or similar structure to air dry both sides simultaneously. If space is limited, flipping the cover halfway through drying can ensure it's scorched.

Step 8: Repair and Maintenance

Addressing minor repairs can significantly extend the life of your cover. Use a pool cover repair kit for small tears, and consider professional repair options for more extensive damage to ensure a watertight seal.

Step 9: Storing Your Pool Cover

If storing the cover, roll it tightly to prevent creases or folds that can weaken the material over time. Consider using a cover reel for easier handling and storage. Store the cover in a rodent-proof container if you keep it in a shed or garage.

Step 10: Making Maintenance a Routine

Incorporate pool cover cleaning into your seasonal pool maintenance schedule. Regular checks and cleanings can prevent the buildup of dirt and algae, ensuring the cover remains efficient and effective.

FAQs about How To Clean My Pool Cover

How often should I clean the pool cover?

Suggest cleaning it twice a year: once before you close your pool for the winter and again before you open it for the summer. However, if your pool is under trees or exposed to frequent debris, you should clean it more often.

What materials do I need to clean my pool cover?

To clean your pool cover, you will need a soft brush or broom, a garden hose, a mild detergent or specialized pool cover cleaner, and possibly a leaf blower to remove loose debris without scrubbing.

Can I use household cleaners on my pool cover?

We advise using a cleaner specifically designed for pool covers or a mild, non-toxic detergent. Harsh chemicals can damage the cover's material and potentially affect the pool's water chemistry when you use the cover again.

Is it necessary to completely dry the pool cover before storing it?

Allowing your pool cover to completely dry before storage is essential to prevent mold and mildew growth. You can spread it on a clean surface in a sunny area until dry.

Can I Follow The Same Routine To Clean A Solar Cover?

Yes, you can follow a similar routine, but you need to be gentler with the bubbles designed to capture solar heat. Use a mild soap for scrubbing to avoid damaging the bubbles, and make sure there is no soap residue left to maintain the cover's solar efficiency. Drying the cover in the shade is recommended to prevent damage from direct sunlight exposure.