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. Stagnant water without chlorine can become unhealthy water in as little as 24-48 hours.
You can reuse pool water for up to 3 days! With an adult, at the end of the day skim the top of the pool to remove any bugs and bits and then top up with some fresh water. Use an old bed sheet to cover the pool overnight to keep the water cleaner, this will help to warm it up in the early morning sun too!
Bacteria thrive in very warm paddling pool water. If you do not use water care products and the pool is used a lot, we recommend that you replace the water every day.
For small, inflatable paddling pools, it's recommended to drain them daily to mitigate the risk of illness and prevent the spread of germs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Use Sterilising Fluid and Water to Keep Your Pool Safe
All you need to do is grab some sterilising fluid, the product used to keep baby bottles clean, pop a capful into the pool and leave it to dilute in the water. This method will limit the growth of any algae in the paddling 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. Stagnant water without chlorine can become unhealthy water in as little as 24-48 hours.
Expert Davy Merino of the blog InTheSwim Pool says to use chlorine tablets to keep things clean without having to dump all the water out. "Most inflatable pools need just half of one 3-inch tablet per week, or several 1-inch tabs at a time, replaced promptly when they dissolve," he says.
It is essential to regulate chlorine levels in a pool between 1-3 ppm, as levels exceeding 5 ppm can be hazardous. Swimming in a pool with high chlorine levels should be avoided.
It is recommended you use your pump for around eight hours every day, so no, you should not really have days when the water is not being circulated. Standing water quickly becomes prone to accumulating dirt and bacteria, leading to the need for additional chemicals and cleaning.
“It's important to change the paddling pool water every day – drain it and let it dry at the end of the day and use an anti-bacterial spray to kill any germs so it is safe to use the next day.”
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.
Once you've deflated your pool, it is recommended to store it in the box it came in, but this isn't always possible if the box becomes damaged or misplaced. If this isn't possible, you can use things such as a large rubbish bin with a lid, tote boxes, or zip-up storage bags.
The water can sit there until it evaporates, however, a swimming pool will loose it's useful Chlorine in 24 to 48 hours. There are products that will extend the life of the Chlorine, but, in my experience, not by much.
Check the temperature before getting in
Filling up the paddling pool with water straight from outdoor taps makes for a notoriously cold playtime. So, make it a bit easier to enjoy by adding a kettle or two of boiling water.
As much as you can
If your question is “How often should I run my pump to keep the pool at its best?” the answer would be 24/7 for as much of the year as the pool is in operation.
It's best to run your pool pump during the day
Not only does sunlight give fuel for algae to grow, it also destroys your pool chlorine and this is why you should always run your pool during the day!
Keep the pump and filter on while you are away.
Most pumps come have an automatic timer that makes this very easy. Set it before you leave to ensure the pool filter system will run at least 8 to 12 hours per day.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.
If you have a small inflatable pool it's advised to empty it every single day to make sure that you don't get anything nasty lurking in the water. This is because you can't add chlorine or other chemicals to the water in a dinky pool. You should do this whether your pool water looks clean or dirty.
Chlorine can irritate the eyes, skin, hair, and teeth. Occasionally swimming doesn't cause significant side effects, but people who swim frequently are more likely to experience chlorine side effects. Pools with too high chlorine levels and built-up chloramines can also irritate the respiratory system.
Not ideal. More importantly, however, Tim points out that 'there is little evidence or scientific proof to show that Epsom Salts acts as a disinfectant, which could leave harmful bacteria lurking in the paddling pool, even after cleaning has taken place.
When filling a small pool on a hot day, make sure the water stays disinfected for kids to play in by adding a little chlorine bleach. Here's how to keep your inflatable pool water clean and splash-friendly.