How to Remove Organic Pool Stains With Ascorbic Acid

Organic pool stains, the brown and green stains on the walls and bottoms of your pool and pool liner, are caused by decaying leaves, algae or even the presence of a dead animal. These stains are not harmful but will leave an unsightly presence that will make your pool less enticing on a hot summer day. You can treat these stains with ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, tablets, which are available at a drugstore or grocery store.

Vitamin C tablets
Zippered plastic bag
Book or rubber mallet
Cloth
Plastic scrub brush
Plastic bucket
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Drain the pool of all water. It will be impossible to treat the pool stains if the pool is full.
- 2
  Locate ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, tablets at a grocery store, pharmacy or health food store. Purchase vitamin C tablets, not caplets.
- 3
  Pour the tablets into a zippered plastic bag. The amount of tablets required depends on the size of the job. For instance, if the stains are caught early and are minor, use five to six tablets. More tablets are required for a more extensive undertaking.
- 4
  Zip the plastic bag and gently crush the tablets, using your hands, a book or a rubber mallet until they are crushed into a fine powder.
- 5
  Climb into the empty pool and open the zippered bag. Dampen a cloth with plain water and lower it into the bag.
- 6
  Scrub the affected area with the ascorbic acid-covered cloth.
- 7
  Work the crushed ascorbic acid tablets into the organic stain with a plastic scrub brush.
- 8
  Continue to scrub until the stain is removed.
- 9
  Rinse any remaining vitamin C tablets or residue away with water. Bring a bucket filled with water to rinse away any hard-to-reach stains. Otherwise, use a garden hose to rinse away the ascorbic acid powder.

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