Uh-oh… you’ve got a green pool on your hands. Whether it's the result of a busy summer, a few rainy days, or just a little neglect, it’s no fun staring at murky water that looks more like a swamp than a sparkling oasis. But don’t worry!
Cleaning up a green pool is totally doable, and with a little patience, you’ll have it back to its crystal-clear glory in no time.
Ready to turn that green mess back into a pool party paradise? Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Check the Water’s Chemistry First!
Before you start anything, it’s essential to know what you’re dealing with. Green water could be caused by a few different factors—usually algae, but sometimes a chemical imbalance too. The first thing to do is test your pool water with an AquaChek test strip (or any good pool testing kit you have). You’ll want to check:
- pH levels: If the pH is too high or too low, it’ll make it harder for your chemicals to do their job.
- Chlorine levels: Low chlorine is typically the culprit behind green water.
- Alkalinity: Low alkalinity can cause your pH to swing out of balance.
If you haven’t already, balance your water chemistry before moving to the next steps. You can’t successfully treat algae with improper pH or low chlorine!
Step 2: Shock the Pool (And Yes, It’s Called Shocking!)
Once your water chemistry is in check, it’s time to give your pool a good "shock" to obliterate that algae and bacteria lurking in your water. We recommend EZI Chlor as it's a very strong shock which also lowers down you pH and helps with the clarifying process. Just make sure you follow the instructions.
Pool shock is basically a heavy dose of chlorine or other oxidizing chemicals designed to kill off algae and contaminants fast.
How to shock your pool:
- Choose the right shock: You can go with a calcium hypochlorite shock (the most common) or liquid chlorine (easy to pour but can be a little harsh on surfaces if over-applied).
- Follow the instructions: Read the label on your shock carefully—there will be specific amounts based on your pool size.
- Evenly distribute the shock: Pour it around the perimeter of your pool in front of the return jets. This helps it spread more evenly through the water.
- Let it sit: Let the pool water sit with the shock for at least 8-12 hours (overnight is best) to give it time to work its magic.
While you wait for the shock to clear up the green, go ahead and grab a cold drink. You’ve earned it!
Step 3: Brush, Brush, Brush! 🧽
After your shock has done its work, it’s time to get physical with that algae. A good, old-fashioned pool brush is your best friend here. Go around the pool and scrub the sides, steps, and any other areas where algae might have settled.
Why? Because algae doesn’t just float around in the water—it can cling to pool walls, ladders, and even the floor. Scrubbing helps break it up and get it circulating in the water so your filter can catch it!
Step 4: Vacuum Up the Algae
Now that you’ve broken up that stubborn algae, it’s time to vacuum the pool to remove it from the water. Use a manual vacuum or an automatic pool cleaner to suck up any debris that’s floating around, especially the dead algae that’s now floating freely.
Pro tip: If your pool is super cloudy, vacuuming can be tricky since the debris is floating everywhere. In that case, use Backyard Pools Clarifier to speed up the process. It may help to run your pool filter for a few hours first to clear up the water a bit.
Step 5: Run the Filter Non-Stop
Your pool filter is going to be your best friend during this whole cleaning process. After you’ve shocked, scrubbed, and vacuumed, it’s time to let the filter do the heavy lifting.
- Set your filter to “filter” mode (if it has multiple settings).
- Run it 24/7 until the pool clears up. It’ll help remove all that algae, dirt, and any leftover contaminants. Set your chlorinator if you have one to manual mode and shock function.
It might take anywhere from 1-3 days depending on how bad the green is, so be patient! Don’t skip this step—your filter is crucial to the cleanup process.
Step 6: Backwash or Clean the Filter
As your filter works its magic, it will slowly fill up with debris. Backwash your filter (if you have a sand or DE filter) or clean your cartridge filter when you notice the flow of water slowing down. This will help the filter work more efficiently and prevent clogging.
Tip: Backwash your filter until the water coming out of the backwash valve runs clear.
Step 7: Clear the Water (And Your Mind)
After the filter has run for a while and the pool water starts clearing up, it’s time to check your water levels again. Test the pH, chlorine, and alkalinity once more to ensure they’re all within the ideal ranges:
- pH: 7.2–7.8
- Chlorine: 1–3 ppm (you may need to add more if it drops after shocking).
- Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
Adjust if needed and let the water settle before you dive back in. If the water’s still a bit cloudy, give it a little more time and keep the filter running.
Step 8: Enjoy the View!
And just like that, your pool is back to looking sparkling clean and ready for action! 💦 You’ve fought off the algae, restored the balance, and now you can enjoy a crystal-clear swim.
Pro tip for the future: To avoid green pool drama in the future, make sure you test your pool water regularly (every week or so) and keep up with routine maintenance like brushing, vacuuming, and shocking.
Bonus Tips for Preventing a Green Pool:
- Cover your pool when it’s not in use to keep debris and rainwater from throwing off your chemical balance.
- Use an algaecide, every few weeks to give your pool an extra layer of protection against algae. Backyard Pools All Purpose Algaecide can be used in any pool.
- Keep an eye on chlorine levels, especially after rainstorms or heavy usage.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
Cleaning up a green pool can seem daunting, but with the right steps and a little elbow grease, you can have your pool looking like a refreshing oasis again. So grab your pool brush, put on your favourite tunes, and tackle that algae head-on. Before you know it, your pool will be as clear as your summer plans!
Got any green pool horror stories or tips for the next swimmer in distress? Share them in the comments below—let’s all make sure no one has to swim through algae again!
