If you have a swimming pool in your house, you must know how many problems happen to the pool tiles. It’s necessary to clean the pool regularly. Let’s see how to clean pool tile with vinegar in this article.
Why Cleaning Pool Tiles Is Important?
Cleaning pool tiles is important for several reasons. Over time, pool tiles can accumulate dirt, algae, and other debris, which can make the pool look unattractive and uninviting.
Also, the buildup of these materials can create a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, which can pose a health risk to swimmers.
Regular cleaning of pool tiles can also help to prevent damage to the tiles themselves. If left uncleaned, the buildup of debris can cause the tiles to become discolored and more prone to cracking or breaking.
In short, cleaning pool tiles is an important part of maintaining a safe and healthy swimming environment, as well as ensuring the longevity of the pool itself.
Common Pool Tile Problems
A pool in good condition should have a clear or bluish hue. The most typical pool issue is that pools have green color. This is most likely overrun with dangerous algae.
Algae tend to infect pools that have chlorine levels that are too low. In this case, it’s better to hire a professional pool maintenance company to eliminate the algae. Then, you should raise the reasonable amount of chlorine in your pool to prevent algae infection in the future. Keep in mind that excessive chlorine could be just as troublesome as algae.
Another common problem of the pool tiles is calcium deposits. When water containing high levels of dissolved salts comes in contact with the surface of pool tiles, it evaporates and leaves behind the salt. This salt will harden onto the surface as scale then.
Calcium deposits are caused by oversaturation of salt and minerals in our swimming pool’s water, resulting from the imbalance between pH levels and alkalinity.
Here are some other common pool tiles problems:
- Cracked tiles: Pool tiles can crack due to weather changes, water freezing, or improper installation.
- Grout deterioration: The grout between pool tiles can deteriorate over time, causing tiles to become loose or fall off.
- Stains: Hard water or chemical imbalances can cause stains on the pool tiles, making them look dull and dirty.
- Tile discoloration: Exposing to UV rays or chemicals in the water can make the pool tiles discolored.
Can I Use Vinegar to Clean Pool Tile?
Before you start to clean pool tile with vinegar, it’s important to understand if it is safe for the material.
Here are some types of pool tiles:
- Mosaic
- Glass
- Ceramic
- Stone
- Porcelain
- Handmade
- Mural
- Custom
- Glazed
Vinegar is an effective and natural cleaning agent that can help remove grime and mineral build-up on pool tiles. So yes, you can clean pool tile with vinegar, as long as you don’t use a harsh brush or scrubber.
Vinegar can effectively remove dirt and grime from the surface of pool tiles without damaging the material, because it is a mild acid.
However, due to its acidic nature, you should always be cautious to clean pool tile with vinegar. It’s best to use white or apple cider vinegar on ceramic and glass tiles in order to avoid staining.
Although vinegar can help you deal with some of the debris and calcium, it can’t replace professional chlorine or other pool cleaners that are necessary for keeping your pool sparkling clean. So, it’s better to have your pool tiles cleaned by a professional pool maintenance company.
How to Clean Pool Tile with Vinegar?
Now that you know that vinegar is safe to use on your pool tile, let’s see how to clean your pool tile with vinegar.
Step 1: Remove the top organic matter.
The first step to clean your pool tile with vinegar is to remove the top layer of organic matter, including any dirt, debris, or algae that may be present on the surface of the tile.
It’s best to use a brush specifically designed for pools and not a general household scrubbing brush as this could damage the tile.
Make sure you reach all corners of the pool before moving onto the next step.
You can also use a pool vacuum to remove any dirt or debris from the bottom of the pool.
As for bigger debris that cannot be removed by the brush or vacuum, use a net to scoop it out of the pool.
Step 2: Make sure you can access your tiles.
This step is to ensure that the water is free of dirt and debris and drains your water just below the tiles.
Once this is done, you should be able to reach your tiles easily.
Remember not to drain the pool completely because you need a small amount of water to clean it pool tile with vinegar properly.
Step 3: Spray the tiles with vinegar
Start cleaning by spraying the tiles with undiluted white vinegar. Make sure all areas of the tile are coated properly and evenly.
Let this sit for a few minutes so the vinegar can break down any dirt or debris on the tile surface.
Step 4: Brush off the mineral deposits.
After that, use a brush or sponge to scrub off any mineral deposits or algae that presents on the tiles.
For cement pools, it’s better yo use a steel brush for the best results. For fiberglass pools, a soft-bristle brush would be perfect to avoid scratching the surface of the tile.
Dip your brush into some water and scrub away at the area that has mineral deposits gently. Work in small circles from one area to the next until all the mineral deposits have been brushed away.
Step 5: Rinse off with warm water.
Once you’re satisfied with the results, rinse off the pool tiles with warm water. Use a hose with a spray nozzle for maximum coverage. Make sure to rinse off the entire surface of the tiles.
After thoroughly rinsing off your tiles, let them air dry completely before you can use your pool again.
What Are the Alternatives?
You can use an alternative cleaning solution instead of vinegar to remove stubborn stains on pool tiles.
Pumice stone
Pumice stones are made of volcanic rock. It’s naturally abrasive and great for removing stubborn stains or marks from a pool tile.
To use a pumice stone, wet the area with warm water first. Next, take the pumice stone and gently rub it against the stained area in small circles.
Keep rubbing until you see an improvement in the stain’s appearance.
Finally, rinse off your pool tiles with clean water and dry off the affected area with a soft cloth.
Commercial tile cleaners
You can also consider using a commercial tile cleaner. These products usually contain a combination of strong chemicals that can help break down stubborn dirt or debris.
However, they can be quite harsh and may not be suitable for all types of pool tiles. So make sure to double check that whether it is compatible with your particular type of tile before using.
To use it, follow the instructions on the bottle carefully and don’t forget to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when handling the product.
After cleaning the tiles, wait a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Muriatic acid
In case all the methods above don’t work, you can use muriatic acid. This acid is a very strong and caustic chemical that should only be used as a last method because of its potential risks and dangers.
Conclusion
There are some common problems to our pool tiles that they need o be cleaned regularly. With the right cleaning chemicals, you can clean tiles in no time.
In this article, we’ve shared with you steps on how to clean pool tile with vinegar. Good luck with getting your pool tile clean!
