Keeping a swimming pool clean isn’t rocket science, but it takes hard work. To get that crisp, cleansing feeling when you dive in a pool, you need to skim, brush, vacuum, empty strainers and keep the water sanitized. By the time you’ve taken care of all those steps, you’ll need a dip in the pool to cool off.
Prevent problems by brushing your pool walls weekly---it takes less work in the long run if you remove algae and other culprits early. Use a soft brush on tile or fiberglass walls and a stiffer brush on the walls of plaster-lined pools. If you need more oomph, use a nylon scouring pad and a liquid cleaner available from a pool-supply store.
If your pool water is cloudy, check your filter and clean it, if necessary. Different steps are required to clean sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters.