Congrats on your new pool!
From here begins the daily rhythm of care that keeps your water clear, safe, and inviting all year round. It might feel like a lot at first, but give it a little time, and it’ll become second nature.
For the most part, your filter and pump will work behind the scenes to keep it in pristine condition, BUT even they need a little bit of support from you to stay efficient. That’s what this guide is for: the small, manageable tasks that take pressure off your system and prevent bigger issues down the line.
From the tools you’ll need to what to avoid tossing into the water, we’ve summed it all up in this guide.
Essential Pool Care Tools
Before we talk about the tasks involved in caring for your pool, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need.
You don’t need a full-blown arsenal to keep your pool in shape, but only a handful of reliable tools that make routine maintenance easier, faster, and more effective. Once you understand what each one does and why it matters, you’ll find the whole process a lot less overwhelming.
1. A Telescopic Pole
This is the base of your toolkit – it’s a long, extendable pole that other attachments connect to, like skimmer nets, brushes, or vacuums. It is adjustable in length, so you can easily reach across different parts of your pool without bending over or having to get in.
A good one will cost you anywhere from $20 to $40, and it’ll last a long time with proper care.
2. Leaf Skimmer Net
Connected to that pole, you’ll often be using a leaf skimmer net. This is what you’ll use for daily surface skimming – removing leaves, bugs, petals, or whatever else the wind decides to drop into your pool.
While it may seem like a small chore, skimming is one of the most effective habits to reduce the strain on your pump and filter system. By scooping debris out before it sinks or gets pulled into the skimmer basket, you’re actively preventing clogs and keeping your water cleaner.
A decent skimmer net usually runs between $10 and $25.
3. Pool Brush
Now, for the stuff that clings to the pool walls – like algae, dirt, or sunscreen residue – you’ll need a pool brush. These brushes come in different bristle types depending on your pool’s surface (softer for vinyl, stiffer for plaster or concrete).
Brushing might feel a bit tedious, but it’s key to preventing buildup that can stain your pool or create slippery spots. It also helps your sanitizer do its job by loosening up algae and grime that might otherwise be protected by a film.
You can expect to pay around $15 to $30 for a solid pool brush.
4. Pool Vacuum
To clean the pool floor, especially debris that sinks and settles, a pool vacuum helps heaps.
If you’re just starting out, a manual vacuum that connects to your pole and uses suction from your pool’s system will do the job just fine.
Over time, though, many pool owners upgrade to automatic cleaners – either suction-side, pressure-side, or robotic models – that can clean the floor (and sometimes the walls) with minimal effort on your part.
Manual vacuums cost around $30 to $80, while automatic ones start around $200 and can go up to $800 or more, depending on the features.
5. Pool Test Kits
Of course, cleaning is only one part of pool care. The other half is making sure your water is balanced and safe, and for that, you’ll need a water testing kit or test strips.
These let you monitor key factors like chlorine levels, pH, and alkalinity. If your water is off, your pool could turn cloudy, irritate your skin and eyes, or make it easier for algae and bacteria to take hold.
Test strips are simple to use and cost about $10 to $20 per pack, while liquid test kits are a bit more precise and usually run between $25 and $50.
6. Some essential chemicals
At a minimum, you’ll need a sanitizer (like chlorine), pH adjusters, and something to shock the pool every so often. You might also eventually use algaecides, stabilizers, or clarifiers depending on your pool’s needs.
Chemicals aren’t something you want to guess at – so once you start testing regularly, you’ll know exactly what your water needs and when.
Your initial investment in a starter set of chemicals is usually around $100 to $150, but it goes a long way.
7. A Pool Cover
Finally, this is one tool that doesn’t clean the pool directly, but it makes a huge difference in how often you have to. A pool cover is one of the smartest things you can buy. Whether you go for a simple tarp-style cover, a solar cover to retain heat, or a safety cover that locks into place, they all do the same core job: keeping things out of your pool.
A cover can save you hours of cleaning by blocking debris, reducing evaporation, and even helping the water stay warmer longer.
Depending on the type, a good cover ranges from $75 for a basic version to $500 or more for a high-quality or custom-fit one.
Key Parts of Your Pool to Care For
Owning a pool doesn’t mean you need to memorize a hundred different technical parts – but it does help to know which areas of your pool need your regular attention and why.
Think of your pool as a small ecosystem: every part works with the next to keep the water clean, safe, and enjoyable. If even one component starts to lag behind, it can throw the whole balance off. So let’s walk through the main parts of your pool setup and what each one needs from you.
Pool Surface (Tiles, Liner, or Plaster)
Your pool’s surface is constantly in contact with water, chemicals, and swimmers, so it’s no surprise that it needs regular care.
Whether you’ve got smooth vinyl, sturdy plaster, or ceramic tiles, the surface can easily collect oils, dirt, sunscreen, and algae. Left alone, this grime not only makes your pool look cloudy or green but can also lead to staining, slippery spots, or even long-term surface damage.
So, brush your pool walls and floor weekly to stay ahead of buildup, especially in corners and along the waterline where algae love to hide.
Skimmer Basket and Pump
Your pool skimmer acts like a pre-filter – it catches leaves, bugs, and floating debris before they sink or clog up your system. AND, it’s very easy to forget about. When that happens, and your skimmer basket gets too full, water can’t flow through properly, which puts more pressure on your pump and filter.
The pump, meanwhile, is the heart of your pool’s circulation system. It pulls water from the pool, pushes it through the filter, and returns it, freshly cleaned.
For both to do their job well, you’ll want to empty the skimmer basket every few days and check your pump basket regularly, too. These small check-ins help the system run smoothly and extend the life of the equipment.
Pool Filter (Sand, Cartridge, or DE)
While the pump moves water, it’s the filter that actually cleans it.
Depending on the type you have – sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth (DE) – your filter traps dirt, algae, and tiny debris that slip past the skimmer.
- Sand filters need backwashing (reversing water flow to rinse out debris) every few weeks.
- Cartridge filters should be taken out and hosed down every month or so.
- DE filters, the most powerful of the three, require backwashing and occasional recharging with fresh DE powder.
Keeping your filter clean isn’t optional; it’s what keeps your water looking crystal clear instead of murky or cloudy.
Heater (If You Have One)
Not all pools have heaters, but if yours does, it deserves a little attention too.
Pool heaters, whether gas, electric, or solar, help keep your water warm and swim-friendly. But over time, calcium buildup and debris can affect how efficiently they run.
A clogged or corroded heater might still warm the water, but it’ll take longer and cost more. Most of the maintenance here is preventative, like flushing the system annually, checking for leaks, and having a technician inspect it every season. That way, you’re not caught off guard in the middle of a chilly swim.
Plumbing and Equipment (Hoses, Valves, Connections)
Behind every clean pool is a web of pipes and hoses that move water in and out without you ever seeing it happen.
Most of this plumbing is tucked away near the pump and filter area.
Check regularly for signs of leaks, cracks, or loose fittings – especially around joints and connections. Even a slow drip can cause pressure loss, higher energy bills, or water waste.
Tightening a hose clamp or replacing a worn-out valve might sound small, but it can save you major hassle later.
Pool Lights and Electrical Components
Last but not least, there are your pool lights and any other electrical components – timers, automation systems, or heaters. Because water and electricity don’t mix well (as we all know), this is one area you want to be extra cautious with.
If a light goes out or a timer isn’t functioning right, don’t just ignore it. It could be a hint that there’s a problem with the sealing. But don’t try to tackle this on your own. It’s best to let any electrical maintenance beyond cleaning the light fixtures be handled by a qualified technician for safety reasons.
Tasks You Should Do Regularly
Keeping a pool in good shape doesn’t mean having to do all at once – it’s about doing a few simple tasks regularly, at the right time, so that problems never get a chance to grow.
Skimming the Surface (Daily or As Needed)
This one’s simple but powerful. A few minutes with a hand skimmer each day can make a world of difference. Leaves, bugs, petals, even stray wrappers – anything floating on the surface – can sink and start breaking down, making your water murky and giving algae a head start.
Skimming removes this debris before it becomes a problem. And the cleaner your surface is, the less work your filter has to do. It’s one of those small, satisfying habits that set the tone for an easy-maintenance pool.
Brushing the Walls and Floor (Weekly)
Algae and grime tend to build up on surfaces over time – especially in corners, steps, and along the waterline.
Giving the walls and floor a good brush at least once a week helps prevent that slippery green film from forming. It also loosens up dirt and particles that your vacuum and filter can then sweep away.
Vacuuming the Pool (Weekly)
Even if you skim and brush religiously, some debris will still settle at the bottom of your pool. That’s where vacuuming comes in.
You can use a manual vacuum (which works like vacuuming a carpet), or an automatic pool cleaner that runs on its own. Either way, vacuuming once a week helps remove sand, dirt, leaves, and other gunk that can slip past your skimmer and settle in hard-to-reach areas.
Checking and Adjusting Water Chemistry (2–3 Times Per Week)
Water balance can shift quickly due to rain, sun exposure, or heavy usage.
Testing the water two to three times per week helps you catch any imbalances early – before they turn into cloudy water, irritated skin, or algae problems.
You’ll want to focus on three key levels: pH (ideally 7.4 – 7.6), chlorine (1 – 3 ppm), and alkalinity (80 – 120 ppm). You can use easy test strips or a digital test kit. If levels are off, adjusting them is usually as simple as adding a measured dose of the right chemical – no chemistry degree needed.
Emptying Skimmer Baskets (Every Few Days)
Your skimmer basket is like your pool’s garbage bin. It catches floating debris before it gets sucked into the pump or filter. But just like any bin, it needs to be emptied regularly or it’ll overflow – or worse, block water flow entirely. When that happens, your pump has to work harder, and circulation suffers. A quick check every couple of days is usually enough.
Cleaning the Pool Filter (As Recommended)
How often you clean your filter depends on the type you have and how much your pool gets used.
A sand filter usually needs to be backwashed every few weeks.
Cartridge filters should be removed and rinsed off with a hose once a month.
DE filters require backwashing and a fresh coating of DE powder now and then.
Always check your manufacturer’s instructions.
What Not to Put in Your Pool
When it comes to keeping your pool clean and healthy, what you keep out is just as important as what you put in. Here’s what to avoid – and why it matters.
Household Chemicals
It might feel tempting to toss in a bit of bleach or dish soap if the pool looks dirty, but household cleaning products are not made for pool use.
Many of them contain surfactants, oils, dyes, or fragrances that don’t break down properly in pool water. They can cause foaming, cloudiness, or chemical imbalances that mess with your filtration system and irritate skin and eyes.
So stick to chemicals specifically labeled for pool use – these are designed to dissolve safely and maintain balance without unwanted side effects.
Food and Drink
It sounds harmless, especially if you’re just having a poolside snack, but food crumbs and spilled drinks can introduce sugars, oils, and other organic material into the water. These act as a buffet for bacteria and algae, making your sanitizer work harder and your water dirtier, faster.
Sugary drinks in particular can cause sticky residues, attract insects, and leave behind cloudiness that’s tough to fix. If you’re eating near the pool, do it on dry land, and keep drinks covered and away from the waterline.
Leaves and Large Debris
A few leaves blowing in now and then is no big deal, but letting them pile up can cause real trouble.
As organic matter breaks down in water, it releases tannins (which stain your pool), feeds bacteria, and clogs skimmers and filters.
Large debris like sticks, seed pods, or mulch can even scratch your liner or damage pump components.
Non-Pool Toys
Toys that aren’t made for pool use, especially foam or fabric-based toys, can start to break down in chlorinated water, leaving behind tiny particles, dyes, or oils that cloud your water and gum up your filter.
Worse, certain plastics might leach chemicals or become brittle and snap apart, creating choking hazards.
So, only use pool-safe toys that are labeled as water-compatible, made of durable materials, and designed to float without flaking apart.
Undiluted or Improper Pool Chemicals
Even pool-safe chemicals can cause problems if added incorrectly.
Pouring chlorine or acid directly into one spot can bleach your liner, damage pool surfaces, or cause harsh reactions if mixed improperly.
Always read the label and follow instructions. For most chemicals, it’s best to pre-dissolve them in a bucket of water and then distribute them evenly around the pool.
And never, EVER mix chemicals before adding them – that’s a recipe for dangerous fumes or unexpected reactions.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your pool is really just about staying consistent with a few simple routines.
Once you get into the habit of skimming, brushing, testing, and keeping the right tools on hand, it all becomes second nature.
The more regularly you show your pool a little attention, the less likely you are to run into big (and expensive) problems later.
So stay proactive, trust your filter and pump to do their part, and enjoy having a sparkling, stress-free pool that’s always ready for a swim.