Best Way to Clean Kiddie Pool

Every parent knows that as soon as the weather gets warm, the kids will be begging to go to the pool. And when you need a break from the commute to the city or neighborhood pool, a kiddie pool makes a great addition to your lawn.

That said, when you have a kiddie pool, the question of cleaning it can become a difficult one. Many parents are so focused on buying the best kiddie pool they can that they don’t stop to think about how to clean their selection. Here we’ll look at some of the ways to keep your kids’ pool clean all summer long.

Cleaning Hard Plastic Kiddie Pools

A hard plastic kiddie pool is usually the easiest to clean—you don’t have to worry about scrubbing at collapsible inflatable walls. And while you can easily get a decent clean with soap and water, a more detailed cleaning regimen will help reduce bacterial growth and keep your pool cleaner for a longer period of time. Here are some of the steps to take:

• Warm water and vinegar—After emptying the pool, a mixture of 10 parts water to one part vinegar can help remove slime and any mold that may have begun to grow. Vinegar also is sometimes used to reduce odors. Kiddie pools don’t usually smell, but just in case, this mixture is a good one to start with.
• Soap—After scrubbing the pool with a water and vinegar mixture, a soap scrub is a good next step. If your kiddie pool is prone to grime buildup, a stiff-bristled brush can help.
• Bleach—A mix of one part bleach to 25 parts water is a final step to help kill any residual bacteria and keep your pool looking fresh. Always make sure you rinse out the pool thoroughly after this step, as this eliminates your risk of accidentally leaving bleach in the pool itself.

Cleaning Inflatable Kiddie Pools

If you and your kids have a preference for the magical, it’s easy to see how kiddie pools of the inflatable variety could be a great choice for your backyard. They come in almost every conceivable variety, from the utilitarian to the whimsical.

However, these pools can be tough to clean, especially if you aren’t someone who regularly cleans out the pool. Generally speaking, it’s good advice to clean your inflatable kiddie pool briefly after each use. Just dumping out the pool and then wiping it out with diluted bleach or a soap and water solution will help. And after rinsing it out a final time, leaving the pool to dry in the sun for at least four hours is a necessary last step. It takes the sun about four hours to kill any remaining dangerous bacteria.

Because of the somewhat slippery nature of the pool surface, it can be harder to detect mildew buildup on the walls of an inflatable pool. This is why wiping the pool down with a towel after washing can also help. A dry towel will help remove any slimy buildup, which can grow into a mildew or mold problem.

You can, of course, wait for a few days in between cleanings. But inflatable pools are particularly known for harboring E. coli and other bacteria that can cause diarrhea and serious illnesses in children. Giving the alternative. A few minutes wiping down a pool after use is usually preferable to dealing with the alternative—a sick child.

If you’ve waited awhile between cleanings, a bleach or soap solution will still work. It may just take more time (and more scrubbing). But unlike cleaning a hard plastic pool, you’ll want to avoid bristle brushes, as these can rip the pool’s walls. A towel or auto cleaning cloth is a good idea, especially if there’s grime you need to scrub away.

However, you might be someone who has a very large inflatable pool. As more and more options are offered on the market, some companies are manufacturing very large inflatable options. These pools can be outfitted with pumps similar to those used on above-ground pools. A pump may be a bigger initial expense, but it can keep your pool water clean and ultimately save money on the water bill. Before taking steps to purchase a pump, always do your research—you don’t want to waste money on a too-powerful pump or buy one that doesn’t have the capacity to turn your pool volume properly.

In conclusion, while cleaning a kiddie pool might be something you dread, it doesn’t have to be. By knowing your options, you’ll be equipped to keep your kids’ pool clean and safe. And if you find yourself in need of more tips for kiddie pool care, you can always visit https://poolhomeschool.com/ —it’s your guide for kiddie pool reviews and information on the care of all things kiddie-pool related.