What Can You Do If Your Plastic Pool Has Algae?

Change the Water

• Change the water in the pool not only once the sides of the pool begin to get slimy with algae, but after every use. Algae can be transferred into the water of a plastic pool not only by being carried through the air but also on the clothes and skin of children and on the fur of animals who may easily pick up pieces of algae elsewhere. Changing the water will eliminate only part of the problem in a pool that has already developed an algae problem, but because of the small size of most plastic pools, this is an easy and basic step.

Wash Thoroughly

• Wash the entire pool thoroughly to get all traces of algae off the sides of the pool. The uneven sides and designs of a plastic pool can present a convenient place for algae to cling to, so using a scrub brush can help loosen algae clinging to the sides. Even as children given a bath with simple soap and water before entering the pool won't bring as many types of bacteria into the water, soap and water will also go a long way in cleaning the pool. Rinse and repeat until there are no signs of algae left in the pool. Algae is a microscopic organism, so going over the surface of the pool several times with the brush never hurts.

Allow to Dry

• Algae thrives in moist conditions, so allow the pool to dry completely before refilling, which will help ensure that any algae not removed by soap and scrubbing is killed before the pool is refilled. Set the pool out to dry in the direct sunlight for at least a few hours. The sunlight and drying period will also help to act as a sanitizer for other types of bacteria and organisms that are likely to grow along with the algae.

Store Properly

• Store the pool in a garage or shed, out of the elements. The longer the pool sits outside filling with rainwater and exposed to the environment, the more likely a reinfection with algae becomes. In addition to algae, a plastic pool that is left unattended for any amount of time will also become a breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes.

  Storing the pool properly extends to setting it up. When setting up the pool in the yard, place the filled pool in the shade or partial shade. Directing sunlight on a full, still pool will encourage algae growth.