How to clean a swimming pool liner

The most effective way to clean a swimming pool liner is to firstly empty the pool of water.

For an above ground pool this is a relatively simple task and one that most owners may perform at the end of the summer, or just before the beginning of the main bathing season. For an in-ground pool this can be a more involved and time consuming task.

The advantage of cleaning a drained pool is that you can apply a cleanser and then sponge or brush directly onto the liner surface. This can be done whilst monitoring the result without the dispersion of water affecting the application or visual checking of what you are doing.

How to clean the liner

First and foremost follow any supplier or manufacturer’s recommendations and only use the cleansers that they deem suitable.

The best way to work is to divide the surface area into small workable sections and clean a single section at a time.

Start by applying a mild cleanser using a sponge or soft brush and work it over the area gently by applying a light pressure. If stains or dirt persist then it may be necessary to apply and leave the cleanser before wiping and, in cases of severe stains, repeating the cleaning process may be necessary.

Never scrub or rub the liner in an abrasive way, this will damage the surface of the pool liner.

As each section is cleaned, rinse the cleanser away with water using a hosepipe. Ensure that all of the product has been thoroughly washed away before moving on to the next area. You do not want any cleanser to dry on the surface of the liner.

Once the complete pool has been cleaned (section by section) give all the walls and the base a good hosing down to ensure that any cleanser residue has been completely washed away. Inspect the pool liner to confirm that all dirt, algae, cleanser etc has been removed.

Finally, using a submersible pump extract any left over cleaning water that has accumulated in the base of the swimming pool. A soft brush can be used to direct this water to the pump. Once all traces are removed it is a good idea to hose down the base again with clean water to remove any residue.

Remove the pump when all the water has been extracted and then fill the pool and let the filter run for at least 24 hours (ideally 48 hours) before any chemicals are applied.