Summer is a time of fun in the sun. It’s a time when you can leave the stress of everyday life behind and enjoy a lazy afternoon in your backyard or have barbeque nights with your friends, summer is a time to be outside.
And what do you need for all that summer fun? Well, an inflatable swimming pool is a must-have item for many people at that time of year. What is also a must-have? A way to clean it when it gets moldy. In this article, we will teach you how to clean mold off inflatable pool!
What Causes Mold on an Inflatable Pool?
If you’ve ever owned an inflatable pool, chances are that you’ve experienced the frustration of having it get moldy. What causes it? Well, many different factors can cause this unwelcome guest to show up on your inflatable pool. Here are the most common reasons:
Improper storage – if you fail to properly drain and dry an inflatable swimming pool before storing it for the winter, mold will almost certainly appear. Even a little humidity can create a great environment for bacteria to grow inside of the folds of the pool.
Poor water circulation – if your pool is left unused for days, the water circulation will be poor. As a result, the water won’t receive enough oxygen to ward off the growth of bacteria that cause mold. Constant water circulation is crucial to keep your pool fresh.
Water temperature – While most people enjoy jumping into warm pools rather than cool, it should be noted that warm water makes for a great environment for mold and bacteria to develop and grow. It’s recommended that you keep your pool at a temperature lower than 85 °F / 30 °C.
Infrequent water changes – Many people fail to change their inflatable pool water often enough. As a result, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria are left behind in the water where they feed mold spores that may have settled on the pool’s surface. It’s suggested that you change the water in an inflatable pool every week.
Chemical imbalance – Most inflatable pools come with their chemical testing kit. If you fail to maintain the chemical balance of your pool, whether it’s caused by adding too many chemicals or not enough, mold will begin to grow. The pH level should be kept between 7 and 7.4 for optimal health of the pool and people who swim in it.
How to Clean Mold Off Inflatable Pool
Now that you know the reasons for your pool getting moldy, it’s time to learn how to clean it.
What you will need:
- Protective gloves, goggles, and a mask
- A bucket or a bowl
- Damp cloth
- Sponge
- Hose or a bucket with clean water
- Bleach
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush (optional)
Now that you have everything you need to fight that mold, let’s get started.
1. Drain Your Pool
You should start with draining all the water from the pool. Many pools have a drain plug, which you should just pull out. Others may have a simple valve you can turn to allow the water to flow out. Some pools may require a garden hose draining method. Just make sure the water is totally out of the pool before starting to clean it.
2. Put on your safety equipment
When working with bleach, it is always necessary to use the proper safety equipment. If you don’t, you may experience irritation to your skin and eyes.
3. Make the Cleaning Solution
I prefer to do this step outside.
Take a bucket or a bowl, depending on your pool size. For larger pools you might need more mixture than for kiddie pools.
Mix bleach, baking soda and water in a 1:1:1 ratio, to create a smooth mixture.
You can create the mixture inside the house as well if you make sure that the room is well-ventilated.
4. Scrub the Mold Off Your Pool
After making sure that every inch of the water has been drained from the pool, it’s time to start scrubbing off the mold.
Take a damp cloth and dip it into the cleaning solution you’ve made. Apply the mixture over the pool’s edges and bottom, as well as its nooks and crannies. I usually let it sit for 2-5 minutes because this allows the bleach time to kill the mold spores and I’ve also noted that it makes the scrubbing easier.
After letting it sit, take a sponge and start scrubbing your pool gently. Apply a bit of pressure when necessary, but the dirt and mold should come off fairly easily.
For the parts that are hard to clean with a sponge, for example around the drain plug, a toothbrush comes in handy!
5. Rinse Your Pool Thoroughly
When you are finished scrubbing all the mold from your inflatable pool, it’s time to rinse it properly.
A garden hose is always great for rinsing something that big, but if you don’t have one, use a bucket or a bowl with clean water.
Rinse your pool with clean water and spread it around with a clean sponge or a towel. This step needs to be done with care, to make sure that all the bleach is washed away with water. Personally, I like to rinse my pool twice to be on the safe side.
6. Let it Dry
After you’ve rinsed your pool thoroughly, get a dry towel or cloth to wipe off the water that is still on its surface. Then, let it dry out in the sun for 1-2 hours.
7. Fill It Up
When your pool has dried, it’s time to start refilling it. Add the right amount of chemicals to prevent mold growth in the future and when your pool has been refilled, feel free to jump in!
That’s it, you’re done! You know how to clean mold off an inflatable pool!
Feel free to comment below, on how this method worked out for you, and if you have any other tips, I’d love to hear them!
