How to Best Clean Stains in Concrete Swimming Pools
- 1). Water down the entire pool to force all dirt and debris to the center of the drain. Make sure the drain plugs are pulled to release the water used to clean out the pool.
- 2). Sweep up all debris and place it into garbage bags. Working with a clean or mostly clean concrete area is needed when rinsing away stains with acid wash. Gently scrub the wet concrete to help lift up any dirt and grime stuck to the surface.
- 3). Combine 1 gallon of acid with 1 gallon of water. Pour the water into the metal bucket first, and then pour the acid into the water. This is a safety procedure to make sure if there is a splash, the water splatters and not the acid. Stir with the metal rod.
- 4). Lay the hose on the edge of the pool so it slowly fills with water.
- 5). Pour the acid wash mixture into the metal watering can. Go along the perimeter of the pool, sprinkling the mixture down the edges until the walls are covered and it trickles down to the bottom. If the 50/50 mixture is not strong enough, use a small amount more of the acid. You don't want it to eat away at the concrete, so don't make it too strong. Also test it on an unseen area outside of the pool to see how the concrete takes to the wash.
- 6). Get into the pool and use the wire brush to scrub away at the stains. Do not scrub too hard.
- 7). Get out of the pool, and pour in 2 lbs. of soda ash to neutralize the acid wash. Let it bubble and foam for about 30 minutes and then drain the pool. Put the plugs back in, fill the pool, drain it one more time, and then refill it the final time.
