How To Keep Water Clean In Paddling Pool

Imagine this; it is a hot day, and you get to come back home to tell your kids to wear their swimsuits and run to your above ground pool just outside the house, in your garden! Dreamy, right? But don't forget; these pools also need to have clean water for you to enjoy to the fullest! Cleaning inflatable pool water is a vital aspect of their maintenance . It helps prolong their longevity and is also essential for the swimmer's health. Sadly, not everyone knows how to keep the water clean. But don't worry; we are here to help!

five happy kids in a paddling pool

There are various techniques for cleaning the inflatable pool and hot tub water, like draining it and refilling it with fresh water , filtering it, or even using a leaf rake. Stick with us in this article as we talk about the most efficient and affordable ways on how to keep your paddling pool water clean and enjoy it through the swimming season !

What dangers can lurk in paddling pool water ?

Did you know that there can be horrific dangers lurking in a kiddie pool ? Stop the Jaws music already appearing in your head, and zoom in to all the small monsters that lurk in the bottom of the pool : Cryptosporidium! Shigella! E. coli! Giardia! These germs can cause skin, gastrointestinal, ear, respiratory, neurologic, eye, and wound infections. According to the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control ), the pool is positively rife with bacteria , especially when children from more than one family use it. Don't worry; these are all symptoms that don't appear usually, but it is the CDC 's and our responsibility to inform you about the possible dangers . To help ensure they don't appear, you should warn your kids not to get the water of the pool in their mouths and give them a cleansing soap shower or bath before and after they swim .

Nasty germs can also be found in toys, sponges, inflatables , and slides in a paddling pool . Also, your pet may carry roundworms and toxocariasis that could be harmful to the kids entering the pool. Chemicals like chlorine and disinfectants may damage the eyes, skin, and respiratory system of kids that are exposed to them if you don't use them correctly. Finally, certain insects like to breed in standing water. You should have that in mind if you're leaving your paddling pool out and keeping the water in it. This is more common during any heatwave period .

How to fill your paddling pool the right way

These days we are all conscious about saving the planet, so conserving wate r is a noble thing. This is why you should ensure that the water in your pool lasts as long as possible before you have to refill it. The 3 most common choices for doing so is using a hose, a bucket or the water from your water butt.

At this point, we advise you NOT to use your water butt to fill your pool, no matter how eco-conscious that may seem. You'd be surprised to know that in a 2018 study, 95% of water butts in the UK were found to have deadly levels of legionella bacteria . Therefore the best and only option is to use a hose pipe or bucket and regular tap water and try to conserve the health of your pool's water for as long as possible.

How to keep your pool water cleaner for longer

Either you have a small or larger pool in your garden, there are many ways to keep the water in it clean for a longer period. Here are some ideas to keep the swimming pool 's water safe .

Keep all pets out of the pool . It might be fun to have them around, but as we mentioned above, they can carry harmful bacteria. You may get them a small doggy pool of their own instead.
Keep all toys and inflatables out of the water after you use them. They may harbour bugs; that's why it's best to take them out and clean them off with a disinfectant spray.
Keep any algaecides and paddling pool chemicals in a safe place for pets and children to avoid any accidental ingestion. You may also consider environmentally friendly alternatives that don't contain hazardous chemicals and are as effective.
Purchase a paddling pool cover to use on your pool when you don't use it. They are not expensive, and they keep the water clean and safe.
If the pool has a filter pump , remove it and rinse it every so often. You should also replace it when it's necessary.
Don't leave your pool open , especially under the sun.
Keep the pool clean and free from any dirt and pet hair . Use a scrubbing brush and a cleaner or baking soda for a quick wash-down before filling it again.
If your children play in the pool, ensure they're wearing swimming suits and give them a shower after use.
You may also keep a pool logbook by the pool . This will help you keep track of the pool's chlorine level , how well the water quality is, and how often you should empty or clean it out.
You can use a fitted sheet inside the pool . It will keep any dirt and debris on top of it. You can then pick up the sheet and change it after using your pool to keep it clean.
Invest in a proper pool filter or pool cleaner . They're not costly, and when you buy the suitable model, it will do the hard work for you.

Pool water treatment

If you have a larger paddling pool , you could consider treating the water . Keep on reading to find out all you need to know.

Tablets and liquids for your pool

You can purchase liquids, floating chlorine dispensers and tablets or tablet floaters and skimmers that treat the water in the pool . You can also buy water treatment kits and pool chemical sets. These help prevent bacteria build-up and also help you balance the water PH levels . To find the best products for you, you should read reviews or get expert advice on this matter. There are traditional treatments like chlorine tablets /liquids, but there are also natural products available that don't involve chemicals.

Use any additives in the right concentration

When you're considering using additives , you need to work out the water volume in your pool since you should know the right concentration of the products to put in. If you don't find this in the pool instructions, you'll need to do some calculations :

For rectangular pools , multiply the Length x Width x Depth to get the squared value.
For a round pool , multiply the pool Radius x Depth .

How long can you leave the water in a paddling pool ?

You should change the water in your pool every day . First, drain it and let it dry, then wipe the pool down with a towel and clean it using an anti-bacterial spray, vinegar, and water solution. You may also use bleach to kill any germs, so it is safe for use the next day .

If you have a bigger pool , it will be more difficult and expensive to fill, and that's why you may wish to try alternative methods to keep its water clean. Here are the best ways to stop your paddling pool from going green:

Get a pool cleaning net to skim any floating bugs off the surface quickly.
Use a scoop net to scoop out any leaves and more significant bits of debris that may get into the pool on your kids' feet.
At the end of each day, hose down and scrub the pool's sides and clear any built-up algae.
Use an anti-bacterial spray around all the pool's surfaces, ladders, toys, etc., to stop the water from going green.
Test the pool's water if you're using a paddling pool treatment. Use paddling pool test strips to check the chlorine and alkalinity levels and make any adjustments if necessary.

Hand holding 2 measuring strips to control water quality in swimming pool
Just because your small pool doesn't require much in terms of maintenance, it doesn't mean you can get away with doing nothing! Now that you know all you need to do to minimise the risk to your family, keep the water in your pool safe. Make sure to run regular checks to ensure that everything is clean and working properly. All you need to do is follow our guidelines every time you use your pool, and you'll find it is a lot easier to keep the water clean for longer. So, now that you don't have to worry anymore, get your water pistols and get outside. Have fun and happy swimming!