How to Clean Your Pool Filter Cartridge: The Easy Ultimate Guide

We need to consider what the filter cartridge actually does for our pool systems before we get into the process of cleaning. The cartridge works to trap sand and debris from the water traveling through our pool's filtration systems. Crafted of sturdy fabric or polyester material, it works like a big sponge, capturing everything from leaves and twigs to microscopic dirt and bacteria. A filter works better the more maintained it is.

To help you start, here is the complete tools and materials that you would require. You will not be needing anything that fancy or costly. The most important tool is a hose that can deliver a strong stream of water, as that will be used to rinse the filter. If you wish to become even more thorough, you can contemplate the use of a power washing machine. Another helpful product is the filter cleaner, which can accelerate breaking down some oils, stubborn contaminants stuck in the cartridges. If you don't have any special cleaner in your household, white vinegar is a cheap alternative that can do wonders as well. You'll want a soft bristle brush on hand to give the filter a scrub if necessary, along with gloves to protect your hands as you work.

Once you've got everything set up, make sure your pool pump is off and the power supply has been disconnected. Of course, safety first, and turning off the pump is always recommended, to avoid an accidental injury when servicing the filter.

Next, carefully pull the cartridge out of the filter housing. This can involve unscrewing the lid or valve that keeping the cartridge in place, which really depends on the type of filter system you have. Once the cartridge has been exposed, gently pull it out of the housing. The cartridge must be handled carefully — if you drop it, you can destroy the material. 

If disassembled, inspect the cartridge for visible damage. Inspect for any cracks, tears or excessive wear. If there is any visible significant damage, it might be time to replace the cartridge. If the cartridge looks intact, you're ready to move on to the next step.

Start by giving the cartridge a thorough rinse with your hose. Make sure you spray it at all angles, focusing on the pleats, as this is where the dirt and debris tend to accumulate the most. Rinsing at high pressure will help dislodge any loose particles. If you have a power washer available, this can be particularly effective in getting the filter back to its original state. However, be gentle—while the pressure can help loosen debris, using too much force could damage the filter material.

Remind yourself that this is going to take a while. In between each pleat, spray the cartridge so that you can extract as much dirt as possible. If your filter is very dirty, this step might take some time, but it's better to rinse it out well before you resort to deeper cleaning methods!

Now that you have rinsed off most of the debris, you can give the cartridge a deeper clean. Soaking is the absolute best way to break down oils, grease and other stubborn contaminants that can't be removed by a rinse, using a solution designed for pool filters specifically. Filter cleaners are available as well, and are designed to dissolve the accumulated gunk without damaging the cartridge material. For best results, follow the instructions on the cleaner's package. An easy DIY solution, if you don't have a filter cleaner, is to soak the cartridge in a mixture of water and white vinegar. As a natural cleaning agent, vinegar can assist in removing mineral deposits that build up over time.

Soak the cartridge for a minimum of one hour. This will allow the cleaning solution to do its job loosening any filth that may be trapped in the pleats. By now, you should see that the filter looks a lot cleaner already, but a little bit of additional scrubbing will help, too.

Take a soft brush—nothing too harsh—and gently scrub the pleats of the filter. Focus on areas that still look dirty or have accumulated stubborn grime. Scrub in the direction of the pleats to avoid damaging the fabric. This step doesn't need to be aggressive; just a light brushing will usually do the trick. If the filter is still particularly dirty, you may need to repeat the soaking and scrubbing process a couple of times.

Rinse the filter again to wash off any residual cleaning solution or debris after scrubbing the filter. Let it be rinsed well under a stream of water — making sure that every corner of the pleats is rinsed thoroughly. Then, shake the cartridge gently to remove excess water. You don't need to get it completely dry, but it shouldn't be dripping wet before you put it back into the filter housing. If required, allow it to air dry for a few minutes.

When the filter gets clean and dry, replace it back into the filter housing. Make sure it is tight on the parts too. Reassemble the filter system and turn the pool pump back on to check if it flows. Tiny instantaneous heating system· Right away, you should notice an increase in the pool's water filtering ability. If everything is working right, your filter should now be at peak efficiency again.

There are a number of things to take into consideration when it comes to how often you need to clean pool filter cartridge. With most pools, you only need to clean the filter every few months. But if your pool sees a lot of action or is near trees, you should clean the filter more frequently. If you notice the pressure gauge on your filter showing higher than normal, or the flow of water seems sluggish, that assembly needs some cleaning.

Don't wait until your filter is so clogged that it's making circulation of the water difficult; keep the cleaning of your filter a part of your pool routine regularly. To keep it running smoothly, clean your filter every month or two.

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