5 Pool Cleaning Hacks To Save You Money Long-term

By Author: Rita Holland
Total Articles: 131
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You can cool yourself in a nice pool without emptying your pocketbook. 
If you're like many pool owners, you might believe that keeping that gleaming oasis in your backyard necessitates constant outlays of cash. What if we told you there was a better way? 
With the appropriate information, you can enjoy a crystal-clear pool while also saving money over time. Poolclean's years of experience, mixed with a dash of common sense, have provided us with insights that may just change your pool maintenance game. So, before you grab for that costly chemical or arrange another professional cleaning, take a moment to reflect. 
These five pool cleaning methods are not only validated by science and experience, but they are also budget-friendly.  


Understanding the Chemical Dynamics of Your Pool
Stepping into an out-of-balance chemical pool is a risk not just to your comfort, but also to your wallet. The problem is that an imbalance in pool chemicals does more than just obscure the water or cause skin ...
... irritations. It can wreak havoc on the pool's architecture over time, causing damage and, as a result, high maintenance expenditures. But how do you avoid this? The key is proactive maintenance, which is based on comprehension and vigilance.


Purchase a High-Quality Testing Kit
Consider the testing kit as a diagnostic tool for your pool. Just as a doctor would not prescribe medication without a thorough examination, you should not add chemicals to your pool until you know exactly what it requires. A high-quality testing kit is required in this case. 
"Why invest more when there are cheaper options?" you may ask. The answer is precision. A high-quality kit produces reliable results, removing the need for guesswork.
Savings in the Long Run from Avoiding Overcompensation
Consider this: if you're unsure about your pool's chemical requirements, you may end up adding more than necessary. Overcompensation not only stresses the pool system, but it also means you're wasting money on chemicals you don't need. This wasteful expense mounts up over months and years, slowly but gradually emptying your finances.


The Value of Weekly Checks
Consistency is essential. Checking the pool's chemical balance isn't a once-in-a-lifetime activity. Making it a weekly practise allows you to stay ahead of any potential imbalances. Corrections are simpler and less aggressive when detected early. 
This proactive strategy not only protects the health of your pool, but it also saves money by eliminating the need for dramatic, often more expensive, remedies.


Precise Chemical Additions' Cost-Effectiveness
Every drop counts, especially when it comes to the lifespan of your pool. Precise chemical additions, guided by reliable test findings, ensure that no ounce is wasted. What's so appealing about this method? You'll find that you're buying less chemicals over time since you're using them wisely and sparingly.


Baking Soda's Amazing Properties
When it comes to pool maintenance, you might be neglecting some magic right in your kitchen cupboard. Baking soda, which you've probably used for cooking or cleaning, is also an important pool care ingredient. Surprised? 
Understanding pH and Alkalinity: When you test the water in your pool, you're looking at two important metrics: pH and alkalinity. The pH level of your pool water reveals how acidic or basic it is. Alkalinity, on the other hand, acts as a pH buffer, preventing abrupt changes that might be hazardous to your pool and its users. Maintaining these levels guarantees that your pool is not only clear, but also skin-friendly and equipment-safe. So, how does baking soda come into this picture? Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is good for increasing pool alkalinity without dramatically changing the pH level. This equilibrium is critical since unregulated alkalinity can cause fast pH oscillations.


Why use Baking Soda instead of Conventional Chemicals? 
Alkalinity boosters are most likely available at your local pool store. While effective, some commercial products can be more expensive. Consider baking soda, a tried-and-true, conveniently accessible option. In most circumstances, baking soda is a less expensive alternative to more expensive alkalinity enhancers. It performs the same function, if not better. And what about the savings? They are significant throughout time. You're not only keeping your pool healthy, but also your wallet full.
To put this in context, the price of baking soda per pound is frequently a fraction of the price of specialised pool chemicals. When you consider how much you'd use over the course of a swimming season, the budgetary disparity becomes even more evident. 
It's like having your cake (or, in this case, pool) and eating it too!


Pool Utilisation on Time
Natural detritus is the unseen foe that every pool owner must battle with. Nature graciously provides leaves, twigs, pollen, and other organic things to our pools every day. While it may appear insignificant at first look, these unwelcome guests have a greater impact on the health of your pool than you may imagine.
Natural debris, you see, not only makes your pool look unkempt, but it also puts undue strain on your pool's filtration.A filter that is constantly pelted by debris needs to work harder, lowering its effectiveness and lifespan. This implies you'll have to spend money on replacements sooner than you'd prefer.
But here's a great trick that will save you money: Swim at the right times.
Choose either early mornings or late afternoons. Why, you might ask? There is usually less tree debris blowing around during these times. In this war against extra trash, the serenity of dawn and the settling darkness are your allies. You can substantially reduce the number of hours you spend cleaning and the frequency with which you replace or repair your pool's filtration system by making this easy move.
Consider this. With less debris, your filter will perform in a less stressful environment, extending its life. This not only saves you money on changing filters or employing expert cleaning services, but it also provides you with more peaceful, debris-free pool moments.
This isn't just another pool guide suggestion; it's the result of years of on-the-ground knowledge. By altering your pool usage schedule, you are effectively taking a preventive rather than a reactive strategy. In the long term, it is strategies like these that distinguish a perpetually struggling pool owner from a wise one.


Filtration
comprehending your pool's filtration system is like comprehending the beating heart of your pool. Just like our hearts keep us alive by circulating blood throughout our bodies, the filtration system keeps your pool clear, clean, and healthy by cycling and cleaning the water continuously. However, like any machine, it has costs, both in terms of upkeep and energy bills.Have you ever considered how the length of your filter's run-time affects your monthly expenses? While it may be tempting to run your filter continuously to ensure continuous cleansing, this isn't always the most energy-efficient technique. Most pools require their filters to run between 8 and 12 hours each day on average. This, however, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the size, usage, and amount of debris in your pool, you may require more or less filtration time.
Begin by scheduling your filter to operate for 8 hours per day. Adjust the duration by an hour each day until you reach the sweet spot of crystal-clear water with no unnecessary run-time. In the long run, this tiny trial could result in huge energy savings.
However, the efficiency of a filter is more than just its run-time. Cleaning should be done on a regular basis. Filters acquire material over time, and a clogged filter has to work harder, consuming more energy and so costing you more. Regular filter cleanings not only increase the life of the filter but also optimise its performance, resulting in greater savings.


Accept DIY Surface Skimming
There's a widely held misconception in pool cleaning that only automated equipment and high-tech tools can provide you with a spotless pool. However, often the most basic tools—those within arm's reach—can be just as effective, if not more. 
The long-handled net is more than a throwback or a temporary solution. This dependable tool is your first line of defence against common pool invaders such as leaves, insects, and other floating debris. By skimming the surface of your pool on a daily basis, you actively prevent these floaters from settling to the bottom. And why is this so important? Sunken trash, on the other hand, begins to disintegrate, disrupting the chemical equilibrium of your pool. Consider it as permitting uninvited guests to linger, resulting in a chaotic party in your water.
How does this do-it-yourself skimming save you money? It's straightforward. 
You can greatly reduce the frequency of deep cleanings and intensive chemical corrections by minimising debris breakdown and probable chemical mayhem.
Consider the savings from purchasing fewer chemicals and possibly eliminating a professional deep-cleaning service. When these expenditures accumulate over time, they can be exceedingly costly. But, with a net in hand and a few minutes of your time, you'll be well on your way to a gleaming pool and a fatter pocketbook.
Remember that having the latest tool or the most costly gadget isn't always necessary. It is all about understanding your pool's needs and responding to them quickly and efficiently. After all, you wouldn't crack a nut with a sledgehammer, would you?