Pulkit D 
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When I was 10, my family had planned a family trip to a resort. We cousins couldn’t wait to dive into the pool, go slippin’ on the water slides, and party in the wave pool.
You’ll be amused to see how this turned out to be. The moment we dived in, the tiles felt a little too slippery. No wait, that’s not the worst part. When one of us came out, we could visibly see a green substance under the toenails. Eww, right?!
Yes, that was god knows what mixed with calcium deposits and dirt. And you’re here probably because you’re in the same predicament. Don’t worry, I’m going to share some tried and tested tips to clean your pool tiles.
Let’s get on with it!
Outline
5 Easy Ways to Clean Pool Tiles Effectively
1. Vinegar
Fill a huge bottle spray with vinegar and add a bit of water. This gives you a vinegar-water solution. Vinegar is non-toxic in nature and helps remove the buildups.
Spray the vinegar solution on the tiles and scrub them. You can use a cleaning brush or even your old toothbrush may work. You can also use a rag—heat it for a few minutes in the microwave, spray vinegar on it, and get scrubbing.
This technique has to be used from the early days itself. After a certain amount of buildup, the vinegar might not work.
2. Baking Soda
Mix baking soda with water and make a paste. Spread the paste on the pool tiles using a cloth. Scrub it out and rinse with water. There you go!
3. Steam Pressure Washer Method
The steam pressure washer is quite a low-effort way to clean the pool tiles. There is no need for scrubbing or brushing. The only con is in its power. These steam-based pressure washers are so powerful that there’s a fair chance of the pool tiles coming out.
Test the washer on a small area beforehand. The person using this also has to take up all the precautionary measures. Protective gear including safety masks, goggles, gloves, etc. is compulsory so that there’s no serious damage.
4. Muriatic Acid
You can use muriatic acid when it is the last option. Muriatic acid is very reactive and very dangerous. Before even opening the container, make sure you are properly equipped with all the safety measures.
Mix a gallon of this acid with a gallon of water to dilute it. Stir slowly or it might cause a reaction. Using a spray bottle, spray the solution on the tiles. Now further, use a scouring pad to remove stains.
Rinse the tiles and make sure to carefully dispose of all the equipment that might come in contact with the acid.
5. Acidic Gel Cleaner
The method of using acidic gel cleaner is done part by part. To start with, all the water is drained till it falls below the stain line. Part by part, the gel is applied to the tiles on the edge. Unlike other cleaners, acidic gel cleaners need 15 mins to settle and work upon the buildups.
After 15 mins, scrub out all the loosened debris using a blade. Later, scrub the tiles with a damp cloth.
How Do Pool Tiles Get Dirty and What Exactly Is the Dirt?
Calcium Deposits
White in color, this scaly substance settles on the pool tiles. Although it looks harmless, it will eventually corrupt the tiles. It is caused when there is an increase in the pH which as a result causes the calcium to separate.
Temperature
An increase in the temperature means an increase in heat. Then when the pool water evaporates, it leaves behind calcium deposits.
Quality of the Water
If you’re in a place that supplies hard water, you might want to be extra careful. The buildup will be higher. Apart from these, there can also be dirt and deposits of algae mixed with calcium carbonate. Calcium silicate is also found to be deposited on the surfaces.
Tips That Could Come In Handy While Cleaning
1. Maintenance of pool chemicals.
Keep a regular check on the levels of chemicals and use only the necessary amounts.
2. Regular cleaning
Don’t wait for deposits to pile up and become prominent. Keep on cleaning regularly with vinegar or baking soda and you won’t have to resort to harsher methods.
3. Minimum usage of chemical cleaners
Use harsh chemicals only when required.
FAQs
Can pool tiles be cleaned using the glass bead blasting method?
Glass bead blasting is the process of shooting glass beads or crushed glass onto the tiles at high pressure. This will remove all chemical buildup and grime, and give you a smooth and clean pool surface.
Get a professional to do this for you.
Is it safe to use CLR to clean the pool tiles?
CLR should NEVER be used to clean pool tiles. When it comes in contact with chlorine in the pool water, it will produce toxic fumes. Also, CLR will destroy the finish of the tiles.
Can I use a magic eraser to clean pool water?
It might sound crazy but yes! Put it in the skimmer basket and leave it for 24 hours in the pool. It will soak up the greenish hue and leave the water looking clear. This method is absolutely safe too.
Check out how this woman discovered how magical the magic eraser truly was!!
Prevention is always better than cure, so make sure you maintain the pool tiles properly.
Keep these little tips and tricks in mind and push your lazy self to do some cleaning. There you go, I did my part, it’s time for you to do yours.
