If you become a sneeze machine this time of the year and your once-blue pool now looks like zesty lemonade, you’re probably in the midst of the annual pollen battle. Getting pollen out of your pool isn’t all about aesthetics – it’s about saving your sinuses and keeping bacteria at bay.
You can go the chemical route, such as adding aluminum sulfate to clump the pollen so you can vacuum it out. Or, stick to the physical methods like vacuuming and running the filtration system, depending on how coated your pool is.
Either way, with the right steps and a consistent cleaning routine, you’ll have clean, swimmable water again.
| Project difficulty: Easy to Moderate Estimated time to complete: 1 to 5 hours for initial cleanup; 15 to 30 minutes for daily maintenance Project cost: $20 to $150, depending on your pool size, pollen severity, and whether you have to buy clarifiers, enzymes, or upgrade filters |
Is it Algae or Pollen in Your Pool?
Before you begin cleaning, take a moment and check if there is actually pollen in your pool. Why? Because some varieties of algae, particularly yellow or mustard algae, can look remarkably similar to pollen. Even sand in your pool might be mistaken for pollen.
So, how do you know?
- Pollen floats on top of the water, while algae typically sticks to the sides or collects at the bottom of the pool
- Your pool’s filtration system will pick up some of the pollen, but won’t filter algae
- Pollen on the surface of the pool easily moves with the wind, appearing as yellow powder floating on the pool water
- Algae is typically green in color, while pollen is usually dark yellow
- Algae makes the walls, pool steps, and ladder feel slimy to touch, even when not visibly present, whereas pollen doesn’t create sliminess
7 Ways to Remove Pollen from Your Pool
After confirming that it is pollen you’re dealing with, here are a few ways you can get rid of it:
1. Run the Filtration System
Start by running your pool pump nonstop during the pollen season. Pollen can be too fine for the filter to trap, but the more the water circulates, the better the chance your filter will catch it. Add a skimmer sock over the filter basket of your skimmer and pump filter to trap the smaller pollen particles before they reach the filter.
Monitor your filter’s pressure gauge – if it rises more than 10 PSI above normal, backwash or clean the filter. This might raise your energy bill a bit, but it will save you tons of manual labor and headaches.
Pro Tip: “In pollen season, run the pump for 30 minutes in the evening, then again first thing in the morning,” says Nick Preston, owner of Best Coast Pools. “This preempts pollen shading before bedtime and keeps the water from turning yellow overnight.”
2. Add Aluminum Sulfate
Some pollen is too small for the filter system and skimmer to pick up. Aluminum sulfate binds the tiny bits together so they clump and sink, and can be picked up by the filter. Turn off the pump and sprinkle aluminum sulfate evenly across the pool.
A general rule of thumb is to use 2 pounds of aluminum sulfate per 10,000 gallons of pool water, up to 4 pounds if the pool is very dirty.
Broadcast it evenly over the surface. Let it settle for a few hours, then vacuum the clumped-up pollen from the bottom. Then, restart the filtration system.
Pro Tip: “Use just enough to get the job done,” says Preston. “Too much aluminum can gunk up your filter over time.”
3. Brush the Waterline
Pollen floats on the surface and clings to the sides of your pool, especially around the waterline. If ignored, it hardens or “cakes” and forms stains. Use a pool brush to scrub all the pollen gunk around the waterline and base of your pool. This will loosen the buildup and help your pool filter catch more pollen as water circulates.
Pro Tip: “A white pool brush is your best friend,” according to Preston. “It lets you see if the pollen’s actually gone or just smeared around.”
4. Start Skimming Water Daily
During pollen season, get consistent with the skimmer. Pollen settles on the surface overnight, so make it a habit to skim every morning before it gets a chance to stick or sink. Invest in a skimmer net with a fine mesh that’s designed to catch small particles like pollen.
If pollen levels are too high, you might need to skim more than once a day. Remember, skimming regularly will prevent buildup and reduce load on your filter.
Pro Tip: “Early morning’s your best shot,” Preston says. “That’s when pollen settles on the surface before the sun bakes it down.”
5. Shock the Pool
Shocking your pool means adding a high dose of chlorine or another sanitizer to kill off algae, bacteria, and other contaminants. While it won’t remove pollen itself, it will sanitize everything that pollen brings with it, like organic matter and bacteria.
Shock the pool in the evening so the sun won’t burn off the chlorine too quickly. Then let the filter run overnight, and skim the pool the next morning to clear away any leftover debris. You can shock your pool regularly during heavy pollen weeks to keep the water clean.
For more on shocking a pool, check out “How to Shock a Pool” and “When and How Often to Shock a Pool.”
6. Enzymes and Clarifiers
If your pool still looks hazy after skimming and filtering, enzyme-based products can save you.
These treatments chemically break down pollen and other organic debris so your pool’s filter can catch them easily.
Most enzyme products also contain clarifiers, which bind tiny particles together so they’re easier for the filter to pick up. Just pour the recommended dose into the pool with the pump running and leave it for an hour or so.
7. Vacuum
When all else fails, or if you live in a pollen-heavy area, you may have to vacuum the pool manually. Vacuuming removes pollen that’s settled on the floor and hasn’t been caught by the filter.
Use a manual pool vacuum for better maneuvering, and remember to vacuum to waste if your filtration system allows it (so pollen doesn’t return to the pool).
Pro Tip: “A cheap upgrade that pays off fast? Ultra-fine mesh skimmer socks. They trap pollen before it clogs your filter, and they’re easy to rinse and reuse,” Preston says.
FAQ
Technically, it’s not a health hazard if you swim in a pool with pollen. However, it may irritate skin or eyes, especially if you’re allergic.
Pollen can clog pool filters over time, which requires more filter cleaning in the heavy pollen season.
No, chlorine does not kill pollen. It may help break it down over time, but it won’t kill or remove pollen.
Once the pollen is out of your pool, it’s time to focus on keeping it from coming back. A few smart steps will make a big difference during pollen-heavy months.
1. Use a Pool Cover
A pool cover is your first line of defense against airborne pollen. While it’s an investment, it pays off by protecting your pool from dust and other flying debris, reducing pool cleanings and maintenance.
2. Upgrade Your Filtration
Standard filters may miss tiny pollen. Consider upgrading to a fine-micron filter cartridge or adding a filter enhancer like DE (diatomaceous earth) filter that filters down to 3 to 5 microns.
3. Trim Nearby Plants and Trees
If you have pollen-producing shrubs or trees around your house, like birch, pine, or oak, trim them back before or during the season.
4. Check Equipment Regularly
Inspect the pump and filter every couple of days to ensure everything is running smoothly. Clean or backwash the filter as needed, and replace worn-out skimmer nets. Make these inspections a part of your pool maintenance routine.
5. Clean Your Pool in the Morning
Overnight, pollen, leaves, and dust settle on the water. A quick skim in every morning keeps things under control.
Hire a Pro to Keep Your Pool Clean and Free of Pollen
Getting rid of pollen is not hard as long as you’re keeping up with proper maintenance tasks, including daily cleaning in the morning instead of sipping your coffee beside it. If you’re not up for it, simply call a pool care pro to take over. Home Gnome connects you with the best pool experts in your area so you and your swimmers don’t have to worry about pollen and allergies.
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Main Image Credit: vectorass / Adobe Stock
Reviewed by Pool Pro Nick Preston (Owner of Best Coast Pools)
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Editorial Contributors
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Farah Nauman
Author
Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant. She spends most of her time combating the heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.
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Nick Preston
Reviewer
Nick Preston is the owner of Best Coast Pools and a guy who believes great businesses are built on great systems — and even better relationships. He’s been in the trenches of service, operations, and growth and now his passion is helping other pros build businesses — and lives — that they’re proud of.
Learn more