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Pool Cover: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Care and Cleaning

2024-04-11

It's not just about cleanliness to maintain your pool cover; it's about efficiency, longevity, and the overall health of your pool. A well-maintained cover can significantly keep your pool cleaner. This expanded guide details properly cleaning your pool cover and tips to ensure it serves you as efficiently as possible.

The Importance of Regular Pool Cover Maintenance

There are many types of pool covers, like winter, automatic, safety covers, and leaf nets, which all play a vital role in pool maintenance. Anyway, the pool cover in this guide refers specifically to the "standard plastic pool cover" or a "basic plastic pool cover".

Regular pool cover maintenance is crucial for extending the cover's lifespan and ensuring the pool's safety and cleanliness. With proper care, pool covers can avoid wear and tear, become breeding grounds for algae and bacteria, or lose their effectiveness in heat retention and debris prevention. Regular maintenance preserves the cover's condition and maximizes its benefits.


A well-maintained pool cover can have an impressive lifespan, often reaching up to 20 years. The longevity largely depends on the quality of the cover and the care it receives over time. Regular cleaning, proper storage during off-seasons, and timely repairs of any minor damage can all contribute to extending a pool cover's life. By taking these steps, pool owners can ensure their investment stands the test of time, providing reliable protection year after year.

The Benefits of Ordering a New Winter Pool Cover Early

Planning ahead for the winter season offers several advantages, especially when it comes to protecting your pool. Here's why ordering a winter pool cover early is a smart move:

  1. Beat the Seasonal Rush: Acting early ensures that you're not caught in the last-minute hustle. As the colder months approach, demand for winter pool covers spikes, and ordering now means a smooth and stress-free purchasing experience.

  2. Wide Selection of Options: Early buyers enjoy the widest range of cover options. You'll have ample time to choose the best type, size, and material that suits your pool's needs without settling for leftovers.

  3. Assured Product Availability: High-demand periods often lead to stock shortages. By placing your order ahead of time, you guarantee the availability of your preferred cover model, avoiding any frustrating backorders.

  4. Potential Cost Savings: Many retailers offer early-bird discounts or promotions at the start of the season. Taking advantage of these deals can lead to significant savings on your purchase.

  5. Prompt Installation: Installing the cover before temperatures drop allows for easier and more effective setup. Cold weather can make handling and fitting pool covers more cumbersome.

  6. Extended Product Life: Early installation means your pool is protected as soon as temperatures begin to drop, reducing wear and tear from falling debris and harsh weather conditions, ultimately extending the life of your cover.

In summary, ordering your winter pool cover early prepares you for the season’s end, provides greater choices, and can even save you money. Plus, it ensures your pool remains in top condition through the off-season.

Detailed Steps for Cleaning Your Pool Cover

Diving deeper into the cleaning process, here's how you can ensure your pool cover remains in peak condition:

Step 1: Safely Removing the Cover

Removing the pool cover requires care and attention. Ideally, enlist the help of another person to avoid unnecessary strain on the material. Discuss and plan your approach to folding or rolling the cover to prevent accidental tears or damage.

Step 2: Preparing the Cleaning Area

Selecting the right area for cleaning your cover is crucial. Look for a clean, flat, spacious spot to accommodate the entire cover without folding or bunching. A gentle slope can aid in drainage during the rinsing process.

To clean the cover, it is best that you lay it out as flat as possible. This ensures even cleaning and prevents any trapped dirt or debris from clinging to folds. If available, choose a clean section of your yard that is free from sharp objects or debris that might damage the cover.

By ensuring the cover is spread out flat, you maximize the effectiveness of your cleaning efforts and make the process more efficient.

Step 3: Initial Rinse

Start cleaning by removing surface debris with a gentle but thorough rinse. This step prevents scratching the cover during the scrubbing process. A leaf blower can also be effective for removing loose debris before rinsing.

Step 4: Mixing the Cleaning Solution

When preparing your cleaning solution, opt for environmentally friendly soaps that won't harm your lawn or garden if you clean the cover on grass. 

Consider the dilution ratio to ensure the solution is effective without being too harsh on the cover's material.

Step 5: The Scrubbing Technique

The technique used for scrubbing the cover can make a significant difference. Employ a circular motion to gently lift dirt without stressing the cover material. 

A soft-bristled broom can be more effective for tougher stains or algae than a sponge.

Step 6: Final Rinse and Inspection

After scrubbing, a thorough rinse is necessary to remove all traces of soap, which can become a magnet for dirt if left behind. Be sure to rinse your cover thoroughly, ensuring that all detergent, soapy water, or cover cleaner has been completely removed. You do not want these cleaning agents sitting in the fibers of your cover, as they can attract grime and potentially damage the material over time.

This is also an excellent time to inspect the cover for any signs of wear, such as thinning material or tears at the edges or seams. By catching these issues early, you can extend the life of your pool cover and maintain its protective qualities.

Step 7: Cleaning and Drying Before Storage or Reapplication

Cleaning your pool cover is essential to extend its life and ensure it's ready for future use. Begin by laying the cover flat in a clean area, such as your driveway or a section of your yard. Use a mild detergent diluted with water or a specialized pool cover cleaner. Avoid metal brushes that can damage the material; instead, opt for a pool cover brush or a push broom.

Once the cover is free of dirt and grime, rinse it thoroughly to remove all cleaning agents. Leaving any residue can harm the fibers over time.

Drying the cover prevents mildew and makes it easier to handle and inspect. Hang the cover over a clean fence or similar structure to air dry both sides simultaneously. If space is limited, flipping the cover halfway through drying can ensure it's scorched. Avoid drying the cover on grass to prevent damaging your lawn.

Step 8: Repair and Maintenance

Addressing minor repairs can significantly extend the life of your cover. Use a pool cover repair kit for small tears, and consider professional repair options for more extensive damage to ensure a watertight seal.

Step 9: Storing Your Pool Cover

If storing the cover, roll it tightly to prevent creases or folds that can weaken the material over time. Consider using a cover reel for easier handling and storage. Store the cover in a rodent-proof container if you keep it in a shed or garage.

For added protection, you might consider placing the rolled cover in a large container with a lid, like a Rubbermaid bin or a trash can. This extra step can prevent pests from nesting in your cover during the off-season, ensuring it's in perfect condition when it's time to reinstall.

Step 10: Making Maintenance a Routine

Incorporate pool cover cleaning into your seasonal pool maintenance schedule. Regular checks and cleanings can prevent the buildup of dirt and algae, ensuring the cover remains efficient and effective.

Why Avoid Metal Brushes for Cleaning Your Pool Cover?

Using metal brushes on your pool cover can lead to several unwanted issues. Here's why:

  1. Surface Damage : Metal bristles are abrasive and can scratch or tear the material of your pool cover. These scratches may not only mar the appearance but can also compromise the effectiveness of the cover, leading to premature wear.

  2. Compromised Durability : Any damage inflicted by metal brushes can reduce the durability of your cover. A weakened cover can struggle against the elements, and may need more frequent replacements or repairs.

  3. Rust Stains : Metal brushes are prone to rust, especially when frequently exposed to water. This rust can transfer onto your pool cover, leaving behind unsightly stains that are difficult to remove.

  4. Material Compatibility : Many pool covers are made from materials like vinyl or mesh. These are specifically designed to withstand various weather conditions but aren’t suited for the harshness of metal bristles. Instead, opt for gentle cleaning tools designed specifically for pool covers, like soft nylon brushes or specialized pool cover cleaners.

In summary, sticking to non-metal brushes ensures that your pool cover remains intact, aesthetically pleasing, and fully functional throughout its lifespan.

FAQs about How To Clean My Pool Cover

How often should I clean the pool cover?

Suggest cleaning it twice a year: once before you close your pool for the winter and again before you open it for the summer. However, if your pool is under trees or exposed to frequent debris, you should clean it more often.

What materials do I need to clean my pool cover?

To clean your pool cover, you will need a soft brush or broom, a garden hose, a mild detergent or specialized pool cover cleaner, and possibly a leaf blower to remove loose debris without scrubbing.

Can I use household cleaners on my pool cover?

We advise using a cleaner specifically designed for pool covers or a mild, non-toxic detergent. Harsh chemicals can damage the cover's material and potentially affect the pool's water chemistry when you use the cover again.

Is it necessary to completely dry the pool cover before storing it?

Allowing your pool cover to completely dry before storage is essential to prevent mold and mildew growth. You can spread it on a clean surface in a sunny area until dry.

Can I Follow The Same Routine To Clean A Solar Cover?

Yes, you can follow a similar routine, but you need to be gentler with the bubbles designed to capture solar heat. Use a mild soap for scrubbing to avoid damaging the bubbles, and make sure there is no soap residue left to maintain the cover's solar efficiency. Drying the cover in the shade is recommended to prevent damage from direct sunlight exposure.


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 About the author 

Nathanael Greene

Nathanael Greene is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the realm of pool design, construction, and maintenance. His love for swimming pools originated in his childhood, and over the years, this passion has evolved into a deep understanding and expertise within the pool industry. As a blog writer for Beatbot, Nathanael is dedicated to sharing his wealth of experience and insights with a wider audience, aiming to enhance and enrich people's outdoor living experiences.

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