As a pool owner, the odds are good you’ve heard every maintenance tip under the sun. Whether it’s vacuuming, skimming, or using specific chemicals to maintain your water, we know all the hits. From famous pool hacks to high-end chemicals, there’s always some tip going. And you should know – you’ve tried them all.
But it’s the lesser-known pool hacks that can really transform your pool and help maintain your water from year-to-year. These pool maintenance tips can give you the upper hand. So let’s take a look at four of our favorite picks to keep your pool clean, and get ready for a great summer by the pool!
1. Get More Out Of Your Skimmer
Having a skimmer basket in your pool is a great way to filter out the leaves and other plant debris that might be floating around at any given time. But there is a downside: they aren’t always reliable and can leave a lot behind.
So how do we get more out of the humble pool skimmer? It’s actually easier than you think, with the first of today’s pool hacks! Simply wrap an old pair of pantyhose around the material basket on your skimmer. Now you have a double layer, which will catch random pieces of plant matter more effectively.
And it doesn’t have to be plant-related for it to get into your pool, either. Think hair, soil, and nearby litter. These are perfect for the tiny holes in this fabric and, combined with weekly cleaning, will make for a more efficient pool skimmer.
2. Repel Insects
We’ve all had to deal with unwelcome insects during an otherwise-fun summer afternoon by the pool. Mosquitos and other pasts aren’t just a nuisance to swimmers, but also after they also die in huge numbers and can leave a big mess to clean up.
You might find them clogging up your skimmer baskets. Maybe they’re just floating on the surface in an unappealing mat of dead bug debris. Whatever the case, you can keep them subdued fairly easily with a few lemongrass plants strategically placed, nearby. These plants contain citronella, a well-known mosquito repellent. There are also various citronella candles and outdoor fixtures you could consider, but plants are perennial and won’t wear out unless the plant itself dies.
As a bonus tip: you can also create a decoy wasp or hornets’ nest by filling a brown paper bag with plastic bags. These are a great deterrent, for wasps as well as other biting insects, as they will not build a nest within 200 feet of a competing nest.
3. Use Tennis Balls To Remove Oils
It might not be pleasant to think about, but using your pool over the course of a summer leads to many different kinds of oils getting to the water. Sunscreen lotions, hair products, face cleansers, and the natural oils produced by our skin are going to be a factor with every person in your pool, and it’s not like you want to stop inviting people over, right?
Luckily for you, pool hacks have the solution: a tennis ball in your water. Throw in two or three, depending on the size of your pool, and the fibers on the ball will help to absorb any undissolved oils in your water. You’ll notice the difference especially if you’ve had a sheen of oil on top of your water, as your pool starts to clear up.
4. Make Everyone Wear Swimsuits
It’s easy to want to go easy on a guest if they forget their swimsuit. “Sure! Just go in your shorts, it’s no problem!” If it’s every now and then, this kind of thing won’t hurt, but these fibers can start to add up over time if you don’t reign them in. The dyes can bleed into your water as they react with the chlorine, with the result being cloudy, less clear water.
Swimsuits are made with specific materials for this exact reason. As far as you can, make it a rule that guests always wear swimsuits in your pool.
Looking for more pro insights into owning and maintaining your pool? Check out some of our other awesome blog content, today. Then, when you’re ready to make a real splash, get in touch with us to find out more about our industry-leading custom pool selection.
