Maintaining your pool doesn’t have to be a hassle! With the right tools and chemicals, you can keep your pool water crystal clear, balanced, and safe all season long. Whether you’re a new pool owner or looking to simplify maintenance, having the right supplies makes all the difference. In this post, we’ll cover the top five essential pool supplies you need to ensure a clean and healthy swimming environment.
1. Chlorine Tablets or Pool Sanitizers
Why It’s Essential: Proper sanitation is key to preventing algae, bacteria, and cloudy water. Chlorine tablets are one of the most effective ways to keep your pool water disinfected.
- Options: Traditional chlorine tablets, saltwater chlorinators, bromine, or mineral-based sanitizers.
- Best Practices: Use a floating dispenser or in-line chlorinator to evenly distribute chlorine.
- Alternative: If you have a saltwater pool, a salt chlorinator can generate chlorine naturally for a gentler approach.
🛒 Recommended: BioGuard® chlorine tablets for long-lasting sanitation.
2. Pool Test Kits & Water Balancers
Why It’s Essential: Balancing your pool water helps protect swimmers and pool equipment. Regular testing ensures proper pH, chlorine levels, and alkalinity.
- Key Levels to Monitor:
- pH (7.2–7.6) – Prevents irritation and equipment damage.
- Alkalinity (80–120 ppm) – Keeps pH stable.
- Calcium Hardness (200–400 ppm) – Prevents scaling or corrosion.
- Chlorine (1-3 ppm) – Keeps water safe for swimming.
- Best Practices: Test water at least twice a week using test strips or a liquid test kit.
🛒 Recommended: BioGuard® 5-way Test Strips for easy and accurate water testing.
3. Pool Skimmer & Brushes
Why It’s Essential: Leaves, bugs, and debris can quickly accumulate, making your pool look dirty and clogging your filtration system. A pool skimmer helps remove floating debris, while brushes prevent algae buildup.
- Types of Skimmers:
- Manual Hand Skimmers – Ideal for quick, daily clean-ups.
- Built-in Skimmers – Automatically filter debris before it settles at the bottom.
- Pool Brushes:
- Soft Bristles – Best for vinyl and fiberglass pools.
- Stainless Steel Bristles – Ideal for concrete or plaster pools.
🛒 Recommended: A durable telescopic pole with interchangeable skimmer and brush attachments.
4. Pool Vacuum or Automatic Cleaner
Why It’s Essential: Dirt and algae can settle on your pool floor and walls, requiring regular vacuuming to maintain a clean swimming environment.
- Types of Pool Vacuums:
- Manual Vacuums – Affordable and effective but require effort.
- Suction-Side Cleaners – Attach to your pool’s existing filtration system.
- Pressure-Side Cleaners – Use water pressure to collect debris in a bag.
- Robotic Vacuums – High-end option that works independently of the pool’s filtration system.
🛒 Recommended: Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner for hands-free, automatic cleaning.
5. Pool Shock Treatment
Why It’s Essential: Even with regular chlorine use, contaminants like sweat, oils, and rainwater can build up, leading to cloudy or unsafe water. Shocking your pool helps oxidize these impurities.
- When to Use Pool Shock:
- After heavy pool use (e.g., pool parties, storms, excessive debris).
- Weekly maintenance to keep water fresh.
- If algae or cloudy water appears.
- Types of Shock:
- Chlorine Shock – Quick and powerful, best for clearing up cloudy water.
- Non-Chlorine Shock – Ideal for routine maintenance without adding extra chlorine.
🛒 Recommended: BioGuard® Smart Shock for fast-acting water clarity and sanitation.
Conclusion
Owning a pool is all about enjoyment, not stress! With these five must-have pool supplies, you can keep your pool sparkling clean with less effort and more time for fun. Regular maintenance with the right products ensures a safe and inviting swimming space for family and friends.
Need help finding the right pool supplies? Visit our Paquette Pools & Spas store or contact our team for expert advice on pool maintenance.
