A swimming pool offers opportunities for fun and is great for playing sports during the summer, but maintenance can be expensive. Cleaning the filter instead of replacing it can be an option for those who want to save some money or reduce waste.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparation
Step 1. Purchase a quality cartridge filter
These have a pleated fiberglass mat or a filter medium made of synthetic material, not paper. The cleaning procedures described here will damage cheap filters making them useless.
Step 2. Run the system with the filter as you usually do
When it is dirty, remove it from the pump-filter unit.
Part 2 of 2: Clean the Filter
Step 1. Rinse the filter with a garden pump to remove any debris, and spray the nozzle before it is dry, after removing it
If you let it dry, the remaining debris will remain inside the filter medium and it will be more difficult to eliminate them later.
Step 2. Let the filters dry completely and preferably place them in the sun, as sunlight has algaecidal properties
Step 3. Shake the filter or use compressed air to remove further debris from the fabric
You can tap it on a surface, or use a brush or something else. Remember that these steps are only prior to the actual cleanup, so it doesn't need to be perfect.
Step 4. Set aside any filters you would normally throw away until you have several to clean
Since cleaning involves the use of chlorine and is a long process, cleaning one at a time is not very convenient. A 20-liter bucket is large enough to hold five C-type filters.
Step 5. Prepare a large enough, airtight bucket to submerge the filters
Use a solution made of one part of pool chlorine and 6 parts of water. Immerse the filters in the solution and close the bucket with the lid.
Step 6. Let the filters soak in order to kill any microorganisms and remove any organic contaminants
One day is fine, but keeping them for 3 to 5 days will give a better result.
Step 7. Remove the filters and rinse them in a bucket full of clean water
Shake them holding them one at a time, immersing them and quickly pulling them out of the water. You should see a "cloud" of contaminant coming out of the filter.
Step 8. Place them in the sun to dry completely
Any residual debris on the filter surface should be removed using a stiff bristle brush.
Step 9. Tightly seal the bucket where you soak the filters when not in use, so you don't have to add chlorine every time you clean them
There will be sediments that will settle on the bottom, but will not affect the effectiveness of the solution.
Step 10. A solution of muriatic acid and water will dissolve the minerals accumulated in the filter medium, reducing the amount of water that passes through the filter
Use another airtight bucket. Fill it 2/3 full with water and add muriatic acid until you have a solution of 1 part acid by 10 of water.
Step 11. Immerse the filters in the solution until the bubbles stop
The bubbles are the sign that the acid is reacting with the mineral deposits; once the bubbles are gone, the minerals should have dissolved.
Step 12. Seal the container tightly when done
By keeping it closed, the chemical agents (acid or chlorine) will not weaken and can be reused for other cleaning. If you leave the container open they will evaporate and the solution will lose its effectiveness in a short time.
Step 13. Rinse the clean filters with acid with plenty of clean water, let them dry and shake them to remove any other residue stuck between the parts and they will be ready to be immersed in chlorine
If, on the other hand, this was the next step to chlorine, then they will be ready to be reused in the pool.
Step 14. Reuse the clean filters
Advice
- You can use new filters if you don't want to deal with acid, a bucket full of bleach and used filters.
- Remove as much debris as you can for each stage. Hitting the filter or wiping it with a stiff brush after it has dried in the sun reduces the amount of organic contaminants that will need to be eliminated in the chlorine.
- To clean the filters of swimming pools where several people swim, and where residues of solar oil and more can accumulate, using a liquid soap for dishwashers before taking a chlorine bath can help.
- Using a 5% muriatic acid solution to remove calcium deposits will increase the filtering capacity if the pool water is rich in minerals.
- Throw away scratched or damaged filters to the point that they are no longer usable.
- The chemicals used to clean pools are specific to cartridge filters, but their cost compared to efficiency is quite high.
- Make sure that the pump / filter unit works properly before doing shock chlorination or adding chlorine and other chemical additives to the pool.
- Keep the filters in a plastic bag or other container once you have cleaned them to keep them away from insects.
- Filters can become clogged if clarifiers are used, as this type of product makes the particles dispersed in the water easier to capture in the filter.
- Maintain adequate pool water chemistry to minimize organic contaminants in the water and facilitate the filter task.
- Remove and clean or replace the filter on a regular basis.
Warnings
- The chlorine solution in which you immerse the filters is very strong. Do not immerse your clothes, keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children.
- Organic matter captured by the filter can be irritating. Avoid breathing it and avoid its dust when using the brush or compressed air.
- Be very careful when pouring in chlorine or muriatic acid. Add the chemical product to the water, not the other way around, and avoid direct contact with the skin.
