This was my firsthand experience with how to properly handle a mold-filled inflatable pool. I had newly gotten the pool for my boys of which they really enjoyed spending or having a nice time in the pool.
However, after a while the confusion set up. Within a few days, we began to feel the pool being slimy, then after a few days, the green molds became visible. The challenge then came up.
The pool needs washing but how do I do that without damaging the pool. This led me to do my own research and also speak with friends. The discovery made is what I shall be sharing with you in this short article just in case you are presently in the same situation I found myself in a while ago.
To clean mold off an inflatable pool, you will need to drain the pool, dry the pool and scrub the pool lining with a piece of rag or cloth that is damped in cleaning solution. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the pool and then rinse the pool with clean water. Fill the pool up with water and enjoy a good swim in a sparkling pool.
Table of Contents
What Is An Inflatable Pool?
This is a form of swimming pool that can easily be collapsed, portable and produced from synthetic materials such as Vinyl. A Vinyl or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a form of plastic resins made from ethylene and chlorine.
Most known inflatable swimming pools are either rectangular in shape or round. Usually, they come with the following: filter pump, needed chemicals, repair kit with patch inclusive in case of accidental puncture, foot pump, a cover.
Clearly speaking, inflatable pools easily breed bacteria ranging from E-coli to Shigella and a host of others which is usually as a result of the presence of molds caused by the dirtiness of the water in the pool.
This can easily cause a number of illnesses and diseases due to the very low concentration of chlorine present in the water of the pool unlike the standard pool found at gyms or schools and other places whose water is always carefully treated. The most probable solution to this menace is to thoroughly wash the pool each and every time it is used.
Also placing or giving close monitoring to your kids each time they are in the pool is equally important.
Why Do I Need To Clean An Inflatable Pool?
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ ‘ so goes the saying. Swimmers who swim in dirty water are prone to having all sorts of problems. Ensuring the water is clean is as good a safety precaution for both adults and children against every form of illnesses and infections which can easily be acquired or infected with in dirty water.
Swimming in dirty water has contributed immensely to the majority of some infections like the ear, skin, eye, nose and throat infection. Therefore, it is not just essential but mandatory that swimming in that water be prohibited and necessary caution and precaution be made in ensuring the cleanliness of water in the pool especially the inflatable pool as the water in this usually and easily gets dirty.
How To Clean Mold Off An Inflatable pool
Having to clean an inflatable pool and rid it of mold is not much a difficult task to undertake but rather one that needs proper guidance and care in order to prevent doing damage to the pool. The processes to undertake includes: draining the water, scrubbing and a few other steps to follow:
Step 1: Draining of the water
One way to easily detect that the water in a pool needs to be changed is that it appears cloudy with either a greenish or yellowish color. In addition, the inside of the inflatable pool begins to feel slimy. Having observed this, the next best thing to do is to drain the water. This you can easily do by making use of the drain plug in the pool (most inflatable pool come with drain plugs) or by deflating the pool to let the water run out in case you pool doesn’t come with a drain plug.
Step 2: Drying the pool
The goal here is basically to get out all the water in the pool. Having drain the pool, dry or wipe out any trace of water observed with the aid of a rag or a dry towel.
Step 3
Employ the use of a cleaning solution in cleaning your inflatable pool. Though sanitary wipes can equally be used, the downside to this is that you need a whole lot of this to get the job done. In or when using cleaning solutions, one with bleach or a sanitizer should be your go to cleaning solution.
Step 4: Scrubbing the lining
Prior to bleaching or making use of the cleaning solution, with a bid to remove the grime or the presence of slimy residue on the surface of the pool, you may need to scrub the pool down with soapy water. However, if the pool isn’t really dirty, washing with soapy water may be just enough.
To scrub the pool, pick a rag and your cleaning solution and start with the walls of the pool. Clean up the entire surface of the pool to get rid of any mildew or mold that may be present.
Step 5: Rinse the pool
Thoroughly rinse the pool to rid it of bleach and cleaning solution. This can easily be done with the aid of a bucket or a garden hose and you can or may need to do that several times to have this done. For a much easier and faster cleaning, you can lean the pool against something.
Step 6: Refilling the water
Once the aforementioned processes have been duly or succinctly followed, you may then add fresh or clean water again to the pool. The changing of the water in the pool may be done every 2-4 days depending on usage.
How To Prevent Molds From Growing On My Inflatable Pool?
Aside the above steps to be taken in keeping an inflatable pool clean, there are a host of other things you can do to get rid of molds from your inflatable pool. Below are a few tips to equally keep your inflatable pool with a filter pump clean:
Filter Pump
When your pool comes with a filter pump, the job of keeping it clean becomes pretty much easy especially by making use of chemicals and the pump. The major function of the pump is to circulate the water thereby cleaning out the debris present therein and this process is carried out throughout the day.
Pool Vacuum
Size sometimes matters when it comes to the cleaning of your inflatable pool. Larger pools will always at some point or the other have debris settle at the bottom of the pool where the action of the filter pump cannot easily reach. You can also pick some of the debris with your hand but that can’t be easily done. There is therefore a need for a pool vacuum which helps to keep the bottom of your pool clean and the water also last longer before having to change it.
Pool Cover
Algae easily grows in the presence of sunlight. Therefore, covering the pool when it is not being used is not just one easy way to reduce the rate of cleaning and time taken to clean but to also prevent debris and leaves from falling into it. Therefore spending a few amounts to save you a whole lot of stress is quite beneficial.
However, not all inflatable pools come with a filter pump and as such still needs cleaning to get rid of the molds or Algae that may have formed over time. Therefore, below are a few tips to help in successfully and easily clean your inflatable pool that does not have a filter pump.
Use a Skimmer Net
With the presence of excessive debris in the pool, molds grow quicker and faster on the walls of the pool. One way to easily get that out is to make use of a skimmer net. This comes in various sizes and forms but highly effective in keeping debris like leaves, pines, dirt etc away from the pool.
Oil Sponge
Easily engage the use of this sponge to rid your pool water of body oil and lotion that may settle in. Just soak the sponge in the water and leave it to work its magic of soaking any oil that may have settled in the water thereby leaving your water clean for a longer period of time.
Cover
Though sometimes difficult to find for smaller pools, finding an alternative or something to cover the pool when not used is highly essential as it helps them to be clean for a longer period of time.
Molds can be a serious problem to deal with as they form or make the pool wall slimy. Formed as a result of dirt or debris found in the water. Cleaning therefore is mandatory once this is observed. However, proper steps and procedure needed to be taken when cleaning your inflatable in case it damages it.
The aforementioned steps of having to first drain the water, dry the pool, getting and making use of a cleaning solution, scrubbing and rinsing of the pool should be strictly followed and when properly done, it should leave the pool sparkling clean.
