Reduce The Stress – 5 Simple Cleaning Tips For Pool Owners

Reduce The Stress – 5 Simple Cleaning Tips For Pool Owners

We’ve all been there. You’ve put on your swimwear, grabbed your towel, applied sunscreen, and you’re about to jump into the pool– but before you do, you notice something is just not right... There are bugs on the water surface, some green substance along the pool tile, and the water looks a little cloudy. Yuck!

Owning a pool should be about relaxation and enjoyment, not heavy maintenance or exhausting chores. For busy homeowners, the key to efficient pool cleaning is working smarter, not harder. Here at Betta, we’ve learned a lot about what it takes to keep pools clean while developing our robotic pool skimming companions, and we wanted to share a few tips that we’ve learned with you. It might not seem like it, but with just a few simple habits and the right tools, you can keep your pool clean, safe, and inviting to enjoy without unnecessary strain.

So, below are five easy pool cleaning tips designed to help you maintain your pool comfortably and confidently:

1. Focus on Surface Debris First

Leaves, bugs, and pollen may seem harmless, but when they sink, they create more work later. Removing debris from the surface early with a pool net keeps the pool cleaner overall and reduces the need for heavy vacuuming.

The recommendation from most pool cleaners is to skim the surface a few times a week, especially after windy days, but this can get especially tiring to cover the whole pool. To mitigate some of the muscle strain, try to avoid overreaching beyond your arm’s full extension, and be sure to use a lightweight skimming net with a telescoping pole.

While manual skimming nets work fine, many homeowners also find that automatic surface skimmers are the best way to keep debris under control with almost no effort. We have to shamelessly plug our own Betta skimmers here, as they work 24/7 to keep your pool’s water surface clean so you don’t have to. But don’t take our word for it, our customers love Betta because they lessen the pool chore load by skimming leaves, bugs, pollen, and other debris.

Check out these fun Betta that some of our creative customers have personalized:

2. Brush Strategically, Not Aggressively

You don’t need to scrub hard or even every day to keep your pool clean. To prevent algae from growing, we recommend lightly brushing walls, steps, and corners once a week, paying special attention to stairs and waterline tile. You can choose brushes with ergonomic handles and poles that adjust to your height to limit overreaching.

Gentle, consistent brushing saves energy and helps avoid slippery dirty surfaces that can become a safety concern.

3. Keep the Pool Filter Clean to Reduce Manual Cleaning

A clean filter keeps dirt from settling on pool surfaces, meaning less brushing and skimming for you.

Make sure to always turn off the pump before performing maintenance. Check and clean the filter on a regular schedule, and rinse cartridge filters or backwash sand/DE filters as recommended.

A well-maintained filter helps the entire system run efficiently and reduces the need for physical strain while cleaning.

4. Maintain Balanced Water to Avoid Bigger Problems

Balanced water chemistry is one of the easiest ways to prevent algae, cloudy water, and slippery pool surfaces. Test the water regularly using easy-to-read or digital testers.

Keep chlorine and pH levels within recommended ranges, and try to identify and address small imbalances early instead of waiting for bigger issues.

Consistent testing takes just a couple minutes each time, and helps avoid time-consuming cleanups later.

5. Set a Simple Weekly Routine and Stick to It

One of the easiest ways to reduce physical strain while cleaning is to avoid letting pool tasks pile up. A short, predictable routine keeps maintenance light and manageable.

Pick one or two consistent days each week for pool care, and break tasks into small steps (brush one day, test water another).

Use timers or automation systems so equipment runs without manual adjustment. Automatic pool companions can be helpful as well, like our Betta pool skimmers, as they can assist in taking off an entire task from your cleaning schedule. A steady routine with the right equipment prevents heavy cleanups and helps pool care feel like a simple habit rather than a chore.

Enjoy Your Pool—Without Any Extra Work

The best pool care routine is one that’s simple, safe, and sustainable for you to complete each week. By staying consistent and using modern tools to reduce your efforts, you can keep your pool clean without overexertion.

A little regular maintenance goes a long way—and it ensures that your pool remains a place of relaxation, not a chore.

Were these tips helpful? Have any of your own tips that you’d like to share with our Betta community? Share your thoughts below!