How to Sanitize your Pool, Patio, and Pool Accessories

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been thinking a lot more about health, safety, and sanitation. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through the use of pools. Keeping your pool and patio area as germ-free and sanitary as possible is a great step in protecting your loved ones from illness. With that in mind, we’ve put together a quick and easy guide for sanitizing your deck/patio, pool, pool toys and accessories, and more. 

Sanitize deck/patio

1. Clear off the deck. This means moving plants, patio furniture, and other items that may get in the way of cleaning. 
2. Mix up a cleaning solution. What you use may depend on what type of material your deck or patio area is made out of. Oftentimes, a bleach solution is acceptable for outdoor materials but check with the material manufacturer. If using bleach, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. You may also want to add a touch of dish soap for better smell and additional cleaning power.
3. Spread the bleach-water solution around your deck and let it sit for 1 minute. 
4. Scrub the deck with a push broom or scrub brush.
5. Rinse the deck clean with a hose or power washer. Try to avoid grass, landscaping, and your neighbor’s yard if possible. 

Sanitize patio furniture

1. Remove any tablecloths, seat cushions, and other fabrics from the patio furniture. 
2. Mix up a cleaning solution. Use an EPA-registered household disinfectant or a bleach solution as noted above. Consult your owner’s guide or the manufacturer to determine what type of cleaner is best for your outdoor furniture. 
3. Wipe down all surfaces, especially tabletops and armrests where there is a lot of contact. 
4. Rinse the furniture off with the hose or power washer. As noted above, try to avoid grass and landscaping. 
5. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing tablecloths, cushions, and other fabrics. If possible, dry them in the dryer. Heat is known to kill germs and bacteria. 

Sanitize door handles and other surfaces

1. Use your bleach cleaning solution or household disinfectant noted above. Make more if need be. 
2. Wipe down any and all surfaces, especially doors, your pool ladder or stairs, and other high-traffic areas that people frequently touch. 

Sanitize pool toys and accessories

1. Dip a rag or sponge into your cleaning solution and lightly clean each of your pool toys and floats. 
2. Once cleaned, rinse your floats, toys, and pool accessories with the hose to remove excess cleaner. 
3. Let all pool toys, floats, and accessories dry fully before putting them into storage. Laying them on the grass in the sun is generally a good option. 
4. It’s a good habit to clean your pool toys on a regular basis — we recommend working it into a weekly cleaning routine.

Sanitize swimsuits and towels.

1. Follow wash instructions as noted on the garments using detergent. If able, wash them on the hot cycle (at least 104 F is recommended to kill viruses and bacteria), then put them in the dryer for 45 minutes. Drying your laundry in the sun can kill germs, thanks to the ultraviolet rays, but can be problematic if you have allergies, as they can also collect pollen while drying. 
2. Avoid letting wet towels and swimwear sit after swimming. This allows mold and mildew to start to form. 
3. Don’t forget to sanitize your washing machine, laundry baskets, and hampers regularly and wash your hands after working with dirty laundry.

Clean your pool

1. Make sure your pool filter and pump are working properly. Constant movement is important because stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria and algae. 
2. Test your water. Making sure your water levels are safe and that you’re using enough chemicals, like chlorine and bromine, to help kill harmful germs is crucial. You should test your water on a daily basis and adjust chemicals as needed. 
3. Clean your pool using a net, vacuum, and scrubbing mit regularly. The more often you use it, the most often you should clean it. 
4. Use a pool cover when not in use. This will help keep dirt, debris, and animals out of your pool and keep it cleaner throughout the pool season. 

You can learn more about cleaning your pool in our full above ground pool maintenance guide. 

If you’re looking to make your pool safer and more sanitary this summer while you’re hunkered down at home, LinerWorld is here to help. We’ve got everything you need for fun in the sun on your quarantine-cation!