Organic Cleaning Tips for Vinyl Pool Liners

Solar pool cover on swimming pool

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Selecting organic cleaners for a vinyl pool liner allows you to make eco-friendly choices and use cleaning supplies that are safe to breathe. Keene State University's Green Cleaning file suggests using safe, non-toxic cleaners. It lists a solution of vinegar and vegetable oil-based soap for cleaning vinyl. To make organic cleaning effective, invest in a brush designed for cleaning pool liners. Organic dish soaps and common household products offer organic options for keeping the pool liner clean and helping to make it last.

Dish Soap

Many companies make organic dish soaps. These products are usually biodegradable products with a vegetable-oil base. Dish soap offers a safe cleaning option for a vinyl pool liner. A dish soap and warm water solution helps to clean off algae and other buildup. Adding white vinegar to the soap and water mixture improves the cleaning power due to the acid nature of the white vinegar. By cleaning the pool liner often to avoid set-in stains from accumulated debris, an organic soap and water solution will usually be sufficient to get the pool liner clean.

Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid, also known as vitamin C, helps to clean vinyl pool liners. Pool supply stores carry it for this purpose. The mild acid helps to remove stains and discoloration without harming the vinyl, according to the Cool Pool Deals website. Ascorbic acid comes in crystal form, crushed vitamin C tablets also work for this, but make sure they're ascorbic acid rather than rose hips. Mixing the ascorbic acid with a small amount of water creates a solution suitable for spreading on discolored areas of pool liner. It's most effective to leave it on for several minutes, scrub the area with a brush and rinse thoroughly afterward.

White Vinegar

White vinegar provides an environmentally safe means to remove mildew and other stains. You apply it with a rag or sponge. Leaving it on for a few minutes allows the mild acid to remove stains. Using a brush on the vinyl pool liner after applying vinegar helps to remove stains and debris. As with removing stains from fabric, brush in both horizontal and vertical directions to thoroughly remove discolorations. It's safe to use undiluted vinegar to treat stubborn stains. This helps with removing brown streaks caused by leaves and other debris that discolors pool liners.

Borax

Borax is a basic household cleaner and a naturally occurring mineral. It's used for disinfecting, deodorizing and stain removal. Borax even helps to prevent mold. It's sold with laundry supplies and is commonly used as a detergent booster and household cleaner for everything from carpet stains to wall washing.

Borax is a strong alkaline cleaner. While it's natural, it can cause eye irritation and is toxic if taken internally, warns Keene State College. It should be stored in a clearly marked container out of reach of children. For pool liner cleaning, combining borax with a bucket of warm water creates a solution that's convenient to apply with a sponge or sponge mop. Making a thick paste of borax with a little water creates an effective stain-remover. Leaving it on for a few minutes gives it time to clean the stain and reduces the time you have to spend scrubbing. As with any product, it's best to test borax in an inconspicuous area, such as on the liner's edge on the back. Borax could lighten the color of colored liners.