If you plan on staying at home the most part of this summer, there’s no better way to cool off than by jumping in the pool. But if you want to enjoy your pool, you must keep it clean and well-maintained. Traditional pool cleaning methods often include different chemicals, but these can have major negative effects on water quality and the environment. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can cause skin and eye irritation, especially for sensitive people. By using fewer chemicals, you will benefit both your own and the planet’s health. That’s why, in this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to do so.
1- Robotic Pool Cleaner
If you want a simple, cheap, and efficient method to clean your pool without the hassle, consider buying a robotic pool cleaner. Robotic pool cleaner is a perfect investment thanks to its performance, convenience, and different features. Unlike traditional pool cleaners, a robotic pool cleaner uses electricity rather than a pool filtration system to do its job. This means less energy use and lower electricity bills. Plus, with the help of advanced technology, a robotic pool cleaner can scrub and clean every corner of the pool, including the floors, walls, and even the waterline. You will have a detailed and perfect cleaning for your pool. Even though buying a robotic pool cleaner can seem like a major cost, trust us - it will save you more money in the long run. You will save on pool chemicals, water, and time over the long term.
2- Manually Cleaning the Pool
Another tip to clean your pool without using chemicals is to clean it manually every day - we know, this takes a lot of work. What does manual cleaning mean? It means that you need to remove any debris from the pool daily. Remove them as soon as they fall into your pool so they don’t decompose and release phosphates into a pool (it’s a food for algae). Although this seems like hard work, it will reduce the use of algaecide and phosphate removers. Another manual cleaning task you’ll have to do is scrubbing the pool surfaces regularly - and when we say regularly, we mean twice a week. This makes it easier for your pool’s filtration system to remove any debris or growth that has settled on the pool’s surface. If you stop them from taking root, you will not need the chemicals to remove them.
3- Pool Cover
This tip is based on very simple logic. It will take less time, effort, and chemicals to clean your pool if the dirt and debris can not enter it. A quality pool cover serves many purposes: first, it keeps debris and dirt out of your pool; second, it protects the chemicals you already have in your pool; and third, it reduces the amount of chemicals you have to manage and apply. Having a pool cover also makes your pool area safer. You won’t have to worry about visitors falling into the pool since floating slats cover the whole surface. Some models might also include anti-slip surfaces, for more safety. They are also reliable, easy to install and maintain, and won’t break your budget - all this while keeping the water at the perfect temperature for your family’s comfort.
4- UV Pool System
Using a UV pool system is an almost-chemical-free tip to clean your pool. The ultraviolet light acts as a germicide, destroying any potentially harmful microbes in the pool water as it goes through the filtering system. You won’t have to worry about the risks of UV radiation since you won’t be exposed to it directly. Although this system is effective at destroying pathogens, there are some drawbacks you should consider. First of all, it is not 100% free of chemicals. Because the UV light sanitizes the water only as it goes through the filtration system, you will still need additional chemicals to keep it clean both before and after being sanitized by the UV light.
5- Salt Water Chlorination System
You can also consider installing a saltwater chlorination system to keep the pool clean and sanitized without constantly using and handling chlorine products - it’s an easy and convenient method. The process involves adding salt or minerals to the pool, which the electrodes on the saltwater call transform into chlorine, which actively sanitizes the pool. This is probably the best method to sanitize your pool with minimized handling of chlorine. So, you’re not really adding chemicals to your pool; rather, you have a system that uses natural elements - salt and minerals- and converts them to chlorine.
6- Natural Cleaning Products
If you’re searching for a natural solution to keep your pool clean and safe, you can just look around the house for some common household products. For example, you can mix water and baking soda to create a simple paste, which will be a non-abrasive cleaning that does wonders on pool tile and grout. You can also use it for the concrete or stone pool deck. If you want to use natural cleaning products, this is probably the simplest and most affordable option. You will also increase the alkalinity of your pool this way; it’s much cheaper than other options.
Another household product you can use is Borax - you probably have one box next to the laundry supplies. Claimed to be an effective laundry booster, it is great for eliminating nasty odors from clothes. What you probably did not know is that it’s a good natural cleaning product you can use around the house, including the pool. Simply add water and make a paste out of it. Then, use it to remove sticky residue, slippery spots, and stains from the pool. It is not as cheap as baking soda, but it is still cheaper than other special pool cleaning products.
It’s important to mention again that the pool’s water quality and the environment might both suffer from the overuse of chemicals. Prolonged exposure to chemicals like chlorine can cause eye and skin irritation and harm a person’s health. Additionally, chemical overuse can lead to environmental pollution and loss of our ecosystem’s resources.
