5 Tips for Keeping a Pool Clean

Get your pool ready for Spring with help from Bahia Verde Outdoors!

Now that it’s spring, you may be sprucing up your outdoor space for the coming months. If you have a pool, this might mean an extra step or two (or three or four!) when it comes to maintenance. To help you keep your pool clean, inviting, and ready for summer fun, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks we think will be especially useful, so you can get back to lounging in the sun.

Make a Maintenance Checklist

Any pool owner knows that a pool is a big investment. To get the most out of that investment, it’s important to maintain your pool and keep it clean. Adhering to a daily maintenance checklist will help you do just that. We suggest the following:

Test your pool’s pH level and chlorine level
Check the water level. Did it rain a lot recently? Does the water need to be let out?
Empty the skimmer and pump baskets
Skim the surface of the water

Keep Your Skimmer Baskets Clean

Skimmer baskets are excellent for filtering debris, but they don’t always catch the small stuff. To help gather hair, sand, and other debris, take a pair of old tights and wrap them around the basket to bulk it up a bit. The tights will act as an extra layer of filtration.

Tennis Ball Trick

Sometimes when we swim, sunscreen, makeup, and hair products can seep into the pool. While unexpected, tossing a tennis ball in from time to time can actually help with this! The wool and nylon of the ball will work to absorb any oils that may have made their way into the water.

Avoid Algae Growth

Scrubbing the various surfaces of your pool with baking soda and an old toothbrush—another household handy item when it comes to pool maintenance—can help avoid algae growth and keep your pool looking clean and bright. We recommend scrubbing tiles, ladders, and other surfaces once or twice a week.

Plant Smartly

Plants are an easy way to beautify your space, but they can also have practical benefits, including deterring insects and other critters. Below are a few common plants and the insects they help keep at bay (and out of your pool!):

Lemongrass – mosquitoes

Sage – moths

Basil – mosquitoes and flies

Catnip – mosquitoes

Lavender – mosquitoes, flies, moths, and fleas

Marigolds – mosquitoes and aphids

Peppermint – mosquitoes, ants, and spiders

Rosemary – fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and slugs

In addition to those plants—which will contribute color, texture, and a sense of calm to your outdoor oasis—don’t forget to attend to the rest of your space! If you’re hanging poolside, you’ll want to feel at ease, whether hosting or as a guest. Bahia Verde tables and chairs are ideal for unwinding by the pool, especially our Cape Classic Adirondack Chair, with its relaxed, contoured seat, and Folding Adirondack Ottoman and side tables, which are perfect for holding chips and dip, cold drinks, and sunscreen. Plus, all our pieces come in a variety of tropical colors, which will brighten and transform any outdoor entertaining or living space.

String lights can also add a sense of atmosphere, especially in the evening when reflected in the water. As the days get longer, hosting friends for cocktails or a casual dinner by the pool is a lovely way to enjoy your outdoor space and those special, extra hours of light, but taking a dip may be the best reward of all!