How to Clean an Inflatable Pool to Keep It Safe and Sparkling, According to Pros

When the days are long and scorching hot, nothing hits the spot quite like a cooling dip—even an inflatable pool can do the trick. But while convenient and consistently refreshing, inflatable pools can get grimy quickly—especially if children and pets are getting in on the fun, too. In order to preserve the integrity of your inflatable pool and keep it sanitary, we connected with pool maintenance and product experts to give the 4-1-1 on the proper cleaning process.

Here's how to keep your inflatable pool clean, safe, and ready for action season after season.

How Often to Clean an Inflatable Pool

Jacob Mendrin, a pool maintenance expert at Pool Care Arizona, says cleaning frequency depends on a few factors. If you have an inflatable pool without a filter system or sanitizer, Mendrin recommends dumping the water out daily and giving the pool a quick clean. "Bacteria doubles in a few hours in the heat of summer, and water can go from clear to cloudy within hours," he explains.

For inflatable pools with working pumps, as long as chlorine and bromine levels are maintained, weekly cleaning is recommended. (To be safe, Mendrin suggests testing the water daily with a pool test strip to monitor water chemistry.)

How to Regularly Clean Your Inflatable Pool

Throughout the summer season, you'll want to clean your inflatable pool regularly. (Before putting it away for the season, a deep clean will be in order, says pool product expert John Uhle—more on that below!)

Remember: When your inflatable pool is not in use, cover it with a tarp to limit debris and algae growth.

Materials Needed:

• Pool skimmer
• Soft-bristled pool brush
• Enzyme-based cleaner (optional)
• Chlorine or non-chlorine shock (optional)
• Vinegar (optional)
• Cleaning cloths
• Buckets

Inflatable Pools Regular Maintenance Instructions:

1. Skim the surface of the pool daily to collect any leaves or bugs.
2. If your inflatable pool doesn’t have a filter, dump and replace the water.
3. Using your soft-bristled brush, brush the walls and floor of your pool to eliminate buildup every two to three days.

Filtered Inflatable Pools Maintenance Instructions:

1. Skim the surface of the pool daily to collect any leaves or bugs.
2. If your inflatable pool does have a filter, replace the water weekly.
3. Using your soft-bristled brush, brush the walls and floor of your pool to eliminate buildup every two to three days.
4. Use a chlorine or non-chlorine shock every one to three days, following the product directions to kill contaminants. An enzyme-based treatment can also help break down oils, sunscreen, and organic residue.
   

Cleaning Trouble Spots (like Seams, Cupholders, or Inflow areas):

1. Fill a bucket with clean water and set it aside.
   
2. Apply vinegar to a cleaning cloth and use it to scrub the area, staying above the water line. (Do not submerge the cloth in the pool.)
   
3. Clean the cloth off in the bucket filled with water as needed.
   
4. To clean areas beneath the waterline, drain the water to the appropriate level and repeat the cleaning process.
   
5. Refill the pool as needed.

Cleaning an Inflatable Pool at the End of the Season

If it’s time to prep your pool for storage, Uhle says you’ll want to be thorough with cleaning and make sure the pool is completely dry after the process. Here’s how to tackle the end-of-season deep clean. 

Materials Needed:

• Handheld wet/dry vacuum
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Soft sponge or microfiber cleaning cloths 
• White vinegar 
• Pool sanitizer
• Pool-grade talcum or unscented baby powder
• Breathable storage bags

Inflatable Pool Deep Clean Instructions:

1. Drain the pool completely.
   
2. Using your handheld wet/dry vacuum (without a filter), collect algae and dirt along the seams and textured spots.
   
3. Mix warm water and dish soap on a soft sponge to scrub the floor and walls of the pool.
   
4. Combine an even mix of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spray the seams, cupholders, and inflows with the vinegar mixture.
   
5. Scrub the sprayed areas of the pool with a clean cloth or sponge.
   
6. Mist the entire pool with a pool sanitizer, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
   
7. Let the pool fully air dry, ensuring that all sides of the pool have adequate airflow. (Leaving it on concrete or grass will only get one side dry.)
   
8. Once the pool is fully dry, apply pool-grade talcum powder—or unscented baby powder—to prevent the materials from sticking to themselves in storage.
   
9. Store the fully dry inflatable pool in a breathable storage bag to prevent tears in storage.