How to Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean: Easy Maintenance Tips

Kiddie pools are a welcome oasis in the summer until they start looking grimy. Although the CDC recommends that you empty the pool after each use, you might be wondering how to keep the water in it for longer. We're here to help! Check out our handy hints for keeping a kiddie pool clean so you can enjoy it all summer long.

Things You Should Know

  • Drain and rinse the pool every day if possible. For a more intense clean, scrub the pool with soapy water and dry it in the sun for at least 4 hours.
  • To keep the water clean, have kids shower and wipe their feet before getting in. Put an oil-absorbing sponge in the pool to capture sweat and sunscreen.
  • Skim debris off the top off the water regularly and use a handheld pool vacuum to suck up dirt at the bottom of the pool.
  • Cover the pool when not in use.
1

Change the water every day if possible.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 1
    Ideally, you'll drain and rinse the pool for the cleanest water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that you always empty the pool when kids are done playing for the day. Then, rinse it and dry it in the sun for at least 4 hours. The sun's ultraviolet rays will actually kill pathogens![1]
    • This is probably easiest to do if you're trying to keep a small kiddie pool clean, but don't worry—if you can't dump the water every day, we've got tips for keeping water in larger kiddie pools clean.
    • Plan on filling up the pool with clean water early in the morning. This way the sun will warm up the water, so it's ready for kids to swim in the afternoon. Always keep an eye on your kids and never leave the pool unattended.
    2. Advertisement
2

Have the kids shower or bathe before they use the pool.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 2
    Kids can bring germs and bacteria into the pool. Giving them a quick bath or shower before they jump in can really cut back on the germs circulating in the water. It's especially important to bathe children that wear diapers because the diaper area is a huge source of pathogens.[2]
    • Don't let kids who are sick or feeling unwell get into the pool with other children. They might introduce pathogens or become physically sick in the pool—you do not want to clean that up!
3

Set a towel next to the pool for kids to wipe their feet on.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 3
    Minimize the dirt and debris that kids track into the pool. Put a clean towel or a small tub of clean water next to the kiddie pool. Then, direct the kids to wipe their feet on the towel or dip their feet into the tub of water right before they get into the pool. It's a lot easier to swap out the towel or clean out the small tub than it is to get mud or grass out of the pool.[3]
    • Tell the kids to go slowly when they're moving from the tub of water to the pool since you don't want them to slip.
    2. Advertisement
4

Skim debris out of the water whenever you see it.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 4
    A flat net skimmer is handy for removing leaves, pine needles, and debris. Just use a handheld net to scoop out debris and toss it into the trash or compost. Doing this frequently really prevents the water from getting dirty fast.[4]
    • If you leave grass or leaves in the water, they'll break down quickly and can cause bacteria to form.
5

Drop an oil-absorbing sponge into the pool.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 5
    The sponge absorbs sweat and sunscreen so the pool doesn't get greasy. If you're like most people, you probably slather your kids in sunscreen before they go out to play in the pool. As they swim, the oils in the sunscreen start to float on the surface of the water. Fortunately, you can put an oil-absorbing sponge in the water and it will soak up the oil—not the water.[5]
    • When the sponge starts getting grimy, just flip it over. If it looks really dirty, take it out and wash it off before you squeeze it and pop it back in the pool.
    • If you don't want to buy an oil-absorbing sponge, drop a clean tennis ball into the pool and leave it for a few hours. It will absorb oil and you can even toss the ball into the wash once you're done.[6]
    2. Advertisement
6

Sanitize the pool if a kid vomits or poops.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 6
    Get the kids out of the water and pop on a pair of gloves. Try to scoop out as much of the mess as you can and drain all of the water. Wash the pool with soapy water and rinse it well. Let it air dry completely. Then, wipe the surfaces with a bleach solution and let it sit for 6 minutes before you rinse it off. Finally, let the pool air dry.[7]
    • To make a bleach solution, dilute 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of bleach in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of room-temperature water. Don't use splash-less bleach because it contains soap used to thicken the product.
    • Remember to clean and sanitize pool toys or water slides that might have come into contact with the mess. Then, let them sit out in the direct sunlight for at least 4 hours.
7

Suck up dirt from the bottom of the pool.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 7
    Reach for a handheld pool vacuum if the pool starts to look grimy. If you've had water in the pool for a few weeks, the bottom might look dirty even after you've been skimming the surface of the water. Hook your garden hose up to the pool vacuum and slowly run it across the bottom of the pool so the vacuum filter catches the dirt.[8]
    • Use the pool vacuum whenever the bottom of the pool feels gritty or if you haven't been using the pool in a while.
    2. Advertisement
8

Rig a pool filter to clean the water in between uses.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 8
    A pool filter cleans really dirty water and keeps it fresh in between uses. The best filters have tubes attached to a pump that sits next to the pool. The pump circulates the water and filters it, which really cuts down on your cleaning time.[9]
    • Some pumps need to be raised off the ground so you may need to set yours on a board next the pool.
9

Scrub the inside of the pool when you're done using it.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 9
    Clean the pool with soapy water once you've drained it. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water and dip a soft bristle brush into the solution. Clean the bottom and sides of the pool, but don't scrub too hard or you might tear the material. Then, rinse off the pool and let it dry completely before you store it or refill it.[10]
    • Although you should wash the pool before you store it for the season, go ahead and clean the pool whenever it looks like it needs a little TLC.
    2. Advertisement
10

Cover the pool when you’re not using it.

  1. Image titled Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean Step 10
    This is a really easy way to stop debris from falling into the water. Some kiddie pools come with covers or you may be able to buy small covers that fit your pool. If you can't find a pool cover that fits, just cover the pool with a clean tarp and weigh down the sides with something heavy.[11]
    • It's always a good idea to keep the pool covered when kids are around. Even better—keep the filled pool somewhere that kids can't access on their own.

Tip

  • You may have heard of putting baking soda into a kiddie pool. However, baking soda won't disinfect or keep the water clean. It's better to use baking soda as a cleaning product when the pool is empty.

Warnings

  • While the CDC advises against using bleach to keep the pool water clean, it is effective at sanitizing the pool after a kid poops or vomits.[12]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • The CDC also advises against putting chlorine or disinfectants into kiddie pool water because it's too difficult to precisely treat the water.[13]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

Other wikiHows

Get Effects on Snapchat
How to
Get Effects on Snapchat
Get Rid of a HeadacheHow to Relieve & Prevent Headaches & Migraines Fast
Unclog a ToiletHow to Unclog a Toilet: With a Plunger and without a Plunger
Use Uber
How to
Use Uber
Take a Screenshot in Microsoft WindowsHow to Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
How to
French Braid
Play Poker
How to
Play Poker
Care for OrchidsHow to Take Care of Potted Orchids
How to
Make a Piñata
How to
Make Guacamole
Meditate
How to
Meditate
How to
Surf
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/inflatable-plastic-pools.html
  2. ↑ https://waterandhealth.org/healthy-pools/safe-fun-kiddie-pool/
  3. ↑ https://inthewash.co.uk/cleaning/how-to-keep-paddling-pool-clean/
  4. ↑ https://mybackyardlife.com/how-to-keep-inflatable-pool-water-clean/
  5. ↑ https://mybackyardlife.com/how-to-keep-inflatable-pool-water-clean/
  6. ↑ https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/15241078/parents-ways-paddling-pool-water-clean-washing-bowl-hack-genius/
  7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/inflatable-plastic-pools.html
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/nOrfuyukzog?t=195
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/Nuw9VrI90jE?t=29
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/UVx6NCXeKkg?t=74
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/D8xV9zjujbE?t=150
  3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/inflatable-plastic-pools.html
  4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/inflatable-plastic-pools.html

About This Article

Jessica Gibson
Co-authored by:
Jessica Gibson
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor who's been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 1,579 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 1,579
Categories: Outdoor Play Equipment
If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Advertisement