Have you ever wondered how kiddie pools feel?
Well, if they could speak, I bet most of them would be sad about the less attention they receive, especially when it comes to their maintenance. Perhaps, the only prevailing practice is to drain the existing water and refill before every use. But that’s not enough!
That’s because just like the inground pools, inflatable pools also need a fair bit of maintenance. Without proper cleaning, the water becomes highly unusable. And no matter how many times you refill, there’s still the risk of your child developing a severe infection, either internal or external. Doesn’t the extra effort now sound worth it?
Hi! I’m Stacy Smith, and today, I’ve curated this handy guide on how to keep kiddie pool clean. Sure, these methods are time-consuming, but not at all difficult.
So, let’s dive in!
7 Ways to Keep Kiddie Pool Clean
1. Cover The Pool
One of the simplest ways to prevent leaves, bugs and debris from entering the pool is to keep it covered. If you have a small-sized kiddie pool, then try using a camping style tarp. But if you don’t have it and don’t feel like buying one either, there’s a quick DIY alternative.
Just get hold of a twin fitted sheet and place it over the pool. Once you have covered the entire surface, grab the excess and tie in a knot. Ensure that the knot is not too tight as it will make the rest of the sheet come out. Remove it carefully (when required), so that the accumulated debris doesn't fall into the water.
2. Skim The Pool
Using a handheld net, skim the pool to get rid of floating bugs, grass, leaves and dirt. Since most inflatable pools (used as kiddie pools) aren’t very big, skimming the water shouldn't be too tiresome. While I prefer having a daily skimming routine, you can do it once or twice every week to prevent excess buildup.
3. Chlorinate The Pool
Sometimes, the problem of a dirty pool isn't just restricted to floating debris. If you notice that the water has gone green or is giving off a foul smell, it’s time to step up your cleaning game.
And one of the best ways to do so is by using chlorine. Apart from killing germs and bacteria, another advantage of chlorine is that it prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs.
This may sound scary, but the efficiency of this technique is second to none. All you have to do is maintain some safety precautions. But before coming to that, I should probably mention that there are small chlorine tablets available for spa and small pools. However, these tablets should be used for those pools that can hold at least 100 gallons of water.
For pools that hold less than 200 gallons of water, using 1 tablet per week should be enough. Likewise, use two tablets weekly for pools with over 200 gallons of water.
However, never throw the chlorine tablets directly into the water. Buy a chlorine float dispenser that can hold one or two tablets (as needed), and put it in only when the pool is not being used. Wait for 24 hours and take out the dispenser before letting your kids use the pool.
4. Chemical Scrub
Another effective way to prevent the water from going green is to avoid the growth of algae on the pool’s surface. For this, the first step is to drain the pool. Next, take a wet rag or towel and wipe the interior. This will eliminate much of the growth that may have already begun.
However, remove any sharp objects like twigs or stone chips, as scrubbing with them can puncture the inflatable pool.
Now, prepare a solution with 5 parts water and 1 part bleach in the pool. Taking a clean cloth, clean the interior again with focus on areas with the most buildup. Rinse thoroughly and refill. Your pool is ready to use!
To keep the water sanitized, use ¼ teaspoon household bleach per 10 gallons of water in the pool and mix well.
5. No-Chemical Scrub
If the bleach method doesn’t sound very appealing, then you can also opt for a natural ingredient. All you have to do is dissolve about ½ pound table salt in some hot water. Pour it into the empty pool and let sit for 24 hours. Jump in and begin scrubbing with a cloth. Once done, drain the saline solution, rinse and refill.
Alternatively, mix equal amounts of vinegar and water in a container and dip a sponge into it. Scrub the empty pool with this sponge till all the dirt is removed. Rinse and refill. Like bleach, you can dissolve about ½ cup vinegar into the water to keep it clean.
6. Use Scrum Balls
Have you noticed a thin layer of oil floating in the pool once your kids get in? This is the sunscreen that gets deposited on the surface, and ultimately settles on the sides. Although it gets removed when you scrub, scrum balls absorb the oil instantly, thereby preventing buildup.
What I really like about this product is that you can keep it in the water throughout. When it gets saturated, clean with hot water and dish soap to reuse.
7. Get A Feet Cleaner
There’s a lot of debris that goes into the water every time your kid enters the pool. By placing a foot cleaner near the pool, you can stop this unwanted entry. To make this activity more convincing, reward them each time they step on it!
Summing It Up
Now that you know how to keep inflatable pool water clean, get to it!
But then again, don’t rely on those once in a while intense cleaning sessions. Not only will it require more effort, but there are less chances of getting an out-and-out clean pool. Hence, I’d recommend:
Skimming as frequently as possible
Scrubbing once in every two weeks
Using scrum balls and feet cleaner
Keeping the pool covered when not in use
Pro tip: use the chlorination or vinegar method to prevent algae buildup. The reduced buildup means that you can increase the interval between scrubbing the pool.
Now that you know how to clean your kiddo's pool, you surely would want to buy some more pool toys, right? Well, we've got just the right guide here!
On that note, it’s time for me to say goodbye.
Till next time!