Swimming Pool Store

Homeowners who have above ground swimming pools are confronted with a choice when it comes to pool filters.  If they get the cheapest filters, which are made of pleated paper, they will have to dispose of them when they get dirty.  This means spending extra money replacing the cartridges, which can cost more in the long run than getting quality filter cartridges that can be cleaned.

Higher quality swimming pool filters are made from pleated spun polyester or fiberglass material instead of porous paper.  The pleats increase the surface area of the filter, allowing for more water to be filtered in a smaller space.  The higher quality material means that you can clean the filter instead of just throwing it away when it is dirty.  Here's how to clean a dirty filter.

First of all, remove the filter from the pump assembly and rinse it well with the spray nozzle of a garden hose.  Do not let the filter dry before you spray it off or the debris will be much harder to remove.  When it is well rinsed, let the filter dry in the sunshine, which is a natural germicide.  After the filter dries, remove the loose residue by blowing gently with an air compressor, tapping it against a surface or vacuuming. 

The next two steps are most efficiently done when you have saved up four or five used cartridges.  You will be soaking the cartridges in two different chemical baths.  The first is a solution of pool chlorinator and water mixed in a one to six ratio. (Always add chemical to water, not water to chemical.  This is a very strong solution, so be careful, use rubber gloves, and keep kids well away.)  Keep the cartridges in the bath in a covered five gallon bucket for several days.  Rinse and shake the filters in clean water and let them dry in the sun again.  You should see debris come off them.  Let them dry in the sun again.

The second bath is made of three gallons of water with two gallons of muriatric acid added.  This acid wash is good for removing calcium deposits in areas where the pool water is very hard.  Soak the filters until the solution stops bubbling.  Rinse again in clean water and dry them again.  Shake out any remaining residue, and you are ready to reuse your filters.

If you keep you washing solutions in five gallon buckets with tight fitting lids, you can use them for several sessions of cleaning pool filters.  Do be cautious with chemicals and keep them out of reach of children.  Also, when storing cleaned filters for future use, keep them in a plastic bag to keep them clean.