It is very important to drain the kiddie pool completely after every use. Allow it to fully dry under the heat to get rid of any moisture left. For cleaning, you can use bleach or vinegar (diluted in water) to disinfect it.
The bleach recommended for pools is chlorine. If you don't want to keep emptying and refilling your small inflatable pool often, this is an option. But, use the right amount of chlorine bleach for pool sanitization. The standard measurement is a quarter teaspoon for 10 gallons.
Salt is often presented as a healthier alternative to adding chlorine to a kiddie pool, since saltwater is gentler on the skin.
Saltwater In An Inflatable Pool
They do make saltwater systems for above ground pools for those who don't want to use chemicals. For example, this Intex Pool Saltwater System found on Amazon. This is a great system for people who want to get rid of all the hassle that comes with using chlorine.
Baking soda will raise the total alkalinity of the water. The alkalinity keeps the pH stable which then allows the bleach to remove more bacteria and contaminates. About a 1/2 of a teaspoon of baking soda will treat 26 gallons of water.
Epsom salt travels through saltwater pool filters and chlorine generator cells, softening buildup and making cleaning easier. When cleaning, add between 35 and 45 lbs. of Epsom salt to the pool. Allow the salted water to circulate for several hours before attempting to clean the filter or chlorine generator cell.
People sometimes add relatively small quantities of epsom salt to the pool to help make future calcium deposits easier to clean off.
Small inflatable or plastic kiddie pools and water slides don't have the same protection against germs that a swimming pool, hot tub, or water playground do. That's because it is unsafe to add germ-killing disinfectants, such as chlorine or bromine, to the water in kiddie pools and water slides.
How do I keep a kiddie pool clean without chemicals? If you simply do not want to use chemicals to keep your kiddie pool clean, there is an alternative. Rather than chlorine, use Distilled White Vinegar. Add 1/2 Cup for every 100 gallons of water in your pool.
A rule of thumb is 1.5 lbs. of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water will raise alkalinity by about 10 ppm. If your pool's pH tested below 7.2, add 3-4 pounds of baking soda. If you're new to adding pool chemicals, start by adding only one-half or three-fourths of the recommended amount.
Start by draining all the water from your kiddie pool. You can pull the drain plug for a gradual drain or deflate the pool and let the water spill over the deflated sides. Next, grab a bucket and fill it with water. Add a few drops of soap to the water and stir well until it gets nice and soapy.
For small, kiddie splash pools, drain the water before you begin cleaning. Once drained, use a wet rag or towel to wipe around inside. This will remove much of the algae growth that may be beginning. Use a mixture of bleach and water (one part bleach to 5 parts water) to clean the interior.
When chlorinating wading pools, use 1/8 cup per 100 gallons of new water. Mix required amount of Clorox® Regular Bleach2 with 2 gallons of water and scatter over surface of pool.
For most inflatable pools or plastic kiddie pools following the guidelines listed above, the water should be changed every two weeks at a minimum. If you are not adding chlorine to kill bacteria, drain the pool every other day.
The use of baking soda in pools can spot treat algae
It can turn any backyard pool murky green or cause unsightly black spots on the walls and floor of any swimming pool. If your algae come in the form of black spots, it can be extremely tough and frustrating to try and get off your pool's interior.
There are alternatives to chlorine including bromine, ionizers, and ozonators, though with each you'll still need to use some chlorine. A fourth alternative is PHMB, which doesn't require the use of any chlorine. All four have drawbacks, including cost.
However, pool salt is not the same as some popular kitchen varieties. People use Himalayan salt, Epsom salts, Kosher salts, and other salts in their food, but these often have additives or minerals that give them their distinctive flavors and properties that are bad for pools.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used as an Epsom salt alternative as well. Baking soda is not only used for therapeutic purposes as well as a remedy for sunburn and itchy skin but also to ease sore muscles by adding into baths. A bath with baking soda can be detoxifying and soothing.