Pool covers are expensive, so pool owners are always looking for ways to make their investment last longer. One of the most reliable ways to do that is by cleaning! We describe how to clean different types of pool protectors so no matter which kind you use, we’ve got you…covered. (We’re sorry, but we had to.) Joking aside, these tips will help you have clean pool covers.
Solid Pool Covers
While the cover is still laying flat on the pool, spray it with your garden hose. Then, carefully remove the cover and take it to a flat area. Apply a few drops of soap to the cover or use a pool cover cleaner that attaches to your garden hose for easy spray-on application. Brush the cover with a broom to work up a lather and wash the cover. Spray the cover again to rinse. Let it dry completely before folding and storing it.
Mesh Pool Covers
Mesh pool covers are easy to clean and generally have less mold growth on them than other types. If your cover does have mold, clean with a mold-killing cleaner, like diluted bleach. Apply your cleaner and wash with a push broom. Rinse the cover and place in your driveway or on a clothesline to dry (the cover will have trouble drying in grass).
Automatic Pool Covers
Reel out the cover. Spray it with your garden hose to get it a little wet, then apply a small amount of gentle soap to the surface. Use a long-handled broom to scrub the cover. Hose the suds off and let the cover air dry. Do not reel the cover back in until it is completely dry.
General Tips
- Check water levels in your pool throughout the winter. If the water level is low and debris accumulates on the cover, the cover will sag. This puts strain on the cover and might make it more difficult to clean and remove later.
- Clean pool covers every 6 months to keep them in good shape and prevent the growth of mold or mildew.
Clean Pool Covers Last Longer
Maintaining pool accessories is a significant portion of the cost of having a pool. To cut down on expense, take good care of your pool equipment to make it last as long as possible. With regular cleaning, your pool cover will give you its very best performance.
It’s good to know that you should wait for your automatic pool cover to be totally dry before reeling the cover back. My wife and I would like to install a pool cover since our old tree’s leaves are starting to fall, but we don’t have any experience when it comes to maintaining automatic pool covers. We’ll make sure to dry our cover after we have cleaned it.
Hi Darrian, thank you for your feedback. Maintaining your pool covers will make your money’s worth because they can be expensive. What do you plan to use to clean your pool cover?