Cleaning and winterizing an inflatable pool
Is the bottom slimy, are the tubes dirty? Before storing or filling it, a good cleaning is necessary to avoid algae.
Recommended Materials
- White vinegar
- Soft sponge
- Dry cloth
- Talc (for storage)
Steps to follow
Step 1
Empty the pool. Use the water to water the garden (if it hasn't been chlorinated for 48h, chlorine evaporates naturally).
Step 2
The 'slime' on the walls and bottom is biofilm (colonies of bacteria and algae). You have to scrub mechanically. Use a soft sponge with pure white vinegar. It is an excellent natural disinfectant, anti-limescale and non-toxic.
Step 3
Do not use abrasive products (scouring powder, green side of the sponge) which could scratch or pierce the fragile liner.
Step 4
Rinse thoroughly with a water jet to remove all loosened dirt.
Step 5
Drying: this is the key step for winterizing. Let it dry in the sun, turn it over several times. There must not be a single drop of water left in the folds and corners, otherwise black mold will develop during the winter and permanently stain the plastic.
Step 6
For storage: once dry, sprinkle generously with talc all over the plastic before folding. Talc absorbs residual moisture and prevents the plastic from sticking to itself (which often tears it when unfolding the following year).
Step 7
Store it in a closed box, away from frost and especially mice (who love to nibble on soft plastic).
Frequently Asked Questions
How to repair a hole ?
Use a special pool patch (which sticks even underwater) or a piece of liner with flexible PVC glue. Clean, dry and sand the area very lightly before gluing for better adhesion.
How to keep the water clean longer ?
Use a protective cover at night, a landing net for leaves, and a small floating chlorine diffuser adapted to the small volume of water (never put a chlorine tablet directly on the bottom, it burns the liner).
Precautions
- Do not leave stagnant water at the bottom (mosquitoes).
- Do not drag the pool on the ground (stones).
