How to keep an inflatable pool clean

Our team independently selects, reviews, and identifies the best products. We may earn affiliate commissions on purchases made from links on this page. Read about our links here. This post was updated on July 13, 2024

Inflatable pools are slowly edging traditionally costly inground pools and permanent aboveground pools because of their friendly pricing and space-saving nature among other conveniences.

But bacteria and algae can spoil the fun, if you fail to keep it clean.

This guide will teach you how to keep an inflatable pool clean and as you’ll learn, some of the tricks are quite straightforward.

We shall dive right in:

How to keep an inflatable pool clean: Simple hacks and tricks

These tips will help you maintain a hygienic and safe environment even for family-sized inflatable swimming pools.

Trick 1: Always clean your pool after each round of splashing around

This is pretty obvious for pint-sized pools, right?

You see, there’s no way you’ll be 100% safe if you tend to fold it for storage when dirty. 

And the good news is that these small pools are really easy to empty and clean.

Requirements:

  • Dish detergent
  • Home bleach (for disinfecting your blow-up pool).
  • Sponge.

Procedure:

  1. Start by dumping or draining the water.
  2. Next, take a container/bucket and fill with water.
  3. Now measure and add the recommended quantity of bleach to create a well-balanced solution.
  4. Using the sponge, apply this solution all around the surface of the pool generously and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes before wiping dry. You may use the dish detergent to remove the dirt here, if necessary.
  5. Rinse the surface well to clear residual bleach or detergent.
  6. Your next step is drying the sides and the inside. Simply use a towel for this.
  7. Lastly, let the pool dry in the warm summer sun for about 4 hours. This is important since bacteria and other germs love growing in dump environments.

Besides, sun’s ultraviolet radiation is a natural disinfectant.

You can now fold it for storage or refill it for a fresh round of sunbathing with your friends.

Trick 2: How to keep the water clean for a couple of days

It’s sometimes impractical or impossible to empty and sanitize the pool every day as explained above.

This is especially true for full-sized inflatable pools.

Here you can combine these 2 beneficial methods.

Method 1: Use Chlorine tablets to sanitize the water (or a bleach -water solution)

You might be aware that chlorine tablets are a powerful antidote for algae and other elements and you can add them.

There are several ways of introducing the chlorine tablets:

You can, for instance, put the tablets in a chemical floater (or add them to your pool skimmer).

You’ll be taking out the dispenser during swims and returning it between swims in case you have opted for a dispenser.

For optimal sanitization, shock your pool about once per week (while inflated) with the indicated dose of chlorine to keep bacteria and algae at bay. 

Overall, the tablets work best but you can still use your home bleach as you wait for the delivery of the tablets.

Method 2: Cover it!

This tactic helps keep off a bevy of intruders away including mosquitoes, bugs, twigs, and other flying debris.

If it didn’t come with an own shade, consider mounting a clear plastic tarp over the pool.

I have also seen guys use patio table covers in place of a tarp to protect their pools overnight.

How to set up above ground pool on unlevel ground

How to keep an inflatable pool clean: Useful tools /accessories

The following tools/accessories can help simplify your work when it comes to keeping inflatable pools clean:

·         A Net (pool or aquarium)

For unwanted dirt such as bird droppings, grass, and other matter, a small net can be helpful. You use it to quickly lift all sort of debris from your pool.

·         An inflatable pool filter system

Some brands of inflatable pools (larger sizes) some with a filter pump and this is essential in keeping the water clean and clear.

For those without, I propose that you consider investing in a standalone filter or coming up with a DIY inflatable pool filtration system.

How to keep pool clean: Additional tips

Here now are some useful guidelines.

  • Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before undertaking procedures like draining. You’ll learn critical details including the endorsed detergents and cleaning agents.
  • Exceeding the required chlorine levels can bring more harm than good so consult your owners’ manual or other experts before application.
  • Some stubborn bacteria types occasionally survive Chlorine treatment and it’s advisable to introduce an appropriate algaecide to control such germs.

How to keep an inflatable pool clean: Frequently asked questions(FAQs)

This section answers some of the questions you have sent us regarding how to keep a small pool clean without a filter.

Q1: Can you put chlorine in an inflatable pool?

Of course, yes. And chlorine works wonderfully as long as you don’t violate the manufacturer-specified volumes.

Q2: How long can you leave water in an inflatable pool?

Well, Algae is continuously growing so your pool water may become contaminated (and turn green) if you let it sit for even a couple of days without carrying out the above cleaning/preventative procedures.
The best way to tell if the water is unsafe is by testing the prevailing chlorine and pH level before use. And the gadget below does exactly that.


recommends a pH of 7.2–7.8 and a chlorine concentration of not less than 1 ppm in swimming pools.

In this guide, I have revealed how to keep an inflatable pool clean.

Remember that a contaminated pool can be the source of endless health woes including watery diarrhea, skin infections, or worse.

Follow the above tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

After all, your inflatable pool should be a source of summer time fun, not worry and miserly.

Check out the video below to know how to get rid of blown pool water.

treadmill for 500 lb person

Leave a Comment