10 Simple Pool Liner Cleaning/Care Tips to Keep Pool Liners Clean
A pool liner can last anywhere from five to 20 years, so liners are pretty durable. But without a proper pool liner cleaner, stains can build up, which can damage a pool liner and take years off its life.
What’s more, most pool distributors don’t often describe how to care for a pool liner to ensure its longevity. If you clean your pool liners without previous knowledge of how to care for your liner, you could shave years off your pool liner.
Kayden Manufacturing here: after more than 20 years of building and maintaining pool liners, we’ve learned what can help a pool liner stay in shape — and what can damage it.
If you’re wondering what you can do to ensure your pool liner stays clean and healthy for years to come, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of cleaning your pool liners. We know all pool liners are different, so we’ll show you which techniques can help you keep your vinyl pool liner clean.
10 pool liner cleaning tips (general maintenance and pool liners)
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General pool liner maintenance
Many of the tips we mentioned above for pool cleaning can also be helpful for general pool liner maintenance. Before we consider how to deal with pool stains, let’s make sure we have an understanding of best practices for general pool liner maintenance.
1. Be mindful not to drain the pool 100%
As a general rule of thumb, you want to stick clear of draining your pool of all its water. Even if the liner looks a bit rough on the eyes, draining a pool 100% can cause cracks in the pool’s shell.
When cracks occur, the liner is more likely to wrinkle and pull the liner out of its tracks at the top of the pool. To clean a pool liner, be mindful not to drain the pool of all its water.
2. Remove debris from the pool
Leaves and other dirt should be removed as soon as possible. Leaf nets can help collect dirt and debris.
The reason dirt and debris should be collected as soon as possible is because if the debris is left to decay in the water, the debris can cause stains on the liner.
Once stains occur, they can be tough to remove if not cleaned as soon as possible.
3. Keep chemicals balanced
Keeping a pool’s chemicals balanced is key. Incorrect pH and chlorine levels can cause damage to a liner (we’ll discuss more about pH levels later in this article).
If the acid of the pool isn’t in the right range, wrinkles can occur.
When dealing with pool chemicals, ensure that the chemicals are dispersed through the water and circulated through the pool. Doing so will ensure your pool liner stays clean and free from corruption or bleaching.
4. Use the right cleaning equipment and pool liner cleaner
The right supplies can help you do a superb cleaning job. When cleaning your liner, use a purpose-made liner cleaner to remove scum and stains.
A soft pool brush is a great piece of pool-cleaning equipment to have. Using a pool brush (versus other abrasive equipment) will ensure you don’t cause tears to your pool’s liner.
Pool liner cleaning tips
Keeping a pool liner clean is all about consistency. Consistent cleaning will ensure a longer-lasting pool liner for you and your loved ones.
Here are six tips to ensure your pool liner receives the tender, love, and care it deserves.
1. Use pool brushes to clean the pool filter and liner
To shake excess dirt loose, use a soft pool brush around the sides and bottom of the pool. While you’re cleaning your pool with the brush, you’ll want to clean the pool filter to ensure the filter doesn’t bring debris back into the pool.
2. Consider using a pool vacuum
Now that the dirt and debris are loose, use a pool vacuum to clean the dirt and debris away. For those using suction, electric, booster, or commercial pool cleaners, be mindful not to leave your pool cleaner unattended.
If left unattended, the cleaner can cause damage to the liner if the cleaner is trapped in one spot for long periods of time.
3. Ensure proper water chemistry
As discussed earlier, proper chemical balances are key to maximizing the life of your vinyl pool liner. Thus, you’ll want to keep the pH level of your water between 7.2 and 7.6.
What’s more, keep the chlorine at 1.5 to 2.5 parts per million. To avoid corrosion levels, the recommended level for calcium is 200 to 500 ppm, while alkalinity levels should be 80 to 120 ppm.
Adhering to these numbers will help correct any staining caused by organic matter, organic matter such as plants or algae.
4. Try cleaning agents or a chlorine shock
“A chlorine shock?” Yes, a chlorine shock.
A water chlorine shock isn’t about shocking you with electricity (fortunately). Instead, a chlorine shock involves adding a high dose of concentrated chlorine to a pool’s water to raise the pool’s chlorine levels.
When you implement a chlorine shock in a pool, the chlorine kills lingering bacteria and pollutants that can stain a pool liner.
Also, you can try using a bleach and water solution — or baking soda — to clean pool liners. Finally, if you prefer a different pool cleaner option, you can find other designated cleaners used just for pools on pool supply store websites.
As awareness around hygiene and the adoption of automated pool cleaning products continues to increase this decade (DataIntelo.com, 2025), you’ll now have access to cleaning agents whose sole purpose is to clean pools.
Note: If you’re curious to learn more about the types of vinyl liners a pool cleaning agent can clean, don’t hesitate to check out our comprehensive list of vinyl pool liners.
5. Use care when scrubbing
In terms of the actual cleaning process, we recommend not scrubbing your pool liner more than needed. Be gentle enough not to tear or scratch the lining, but firm enough to remove stains.
Keeping leaves and grass clippings out of the water helps prevent staining, as does maintaining water chemistry.
Finally, take care of your pool liner, and you will continue to enjoy pristine, crystal-clear water — and a well-kept liner — for years to come.
6. Try a tile liner cleaner or stain remover
If the above-mentioned tips aren’t enough to help remove stains from your pool, consider using a tile cleaner or natural stain remover. A natural stain remover and tile cleaner can help nix pesky marks left behind by organic material or hard metals.
Did you know?
Did you know there’s a simpler, more environmentally friendly, and cost-effective way to replace the water in a pool when you’re repairing or purchasing a new pool liner?
The solution? The Pool Bladder™.
For more quick and helpful tips on pool care, giveaways, and ways to make your pool last longer, check us out on social media!
Prevent stains to avoid damage to your pool liner
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as the saying goes. The same is true for your pool liner.
Since stains crop up now and again, doing what you can to protect your liner will ensure your pool liner lasts for years. Pool liners aside, you can help ensure a longer-lasting pool by following these simple tips:
- Cover your pool in the winter with a durable pool safety cover
- Balance your pool water with the right chemicals
- Ensure you’re using the right cleaning agents and equipment
If after trying the tips mentioned in this article your pool liner is still stained, you may need to opt for a pool liner replacement. Fortunately, we have you covered.
We’ve been building safety covers, pool liners, and quality pool products for pool owners and pool dealers for more than 20 years. Our nationwide network of pool dealers ensures that you receive the right product for your needs at a dealer near you.
To learn more about our pool products, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our pool product specialists today. We’d be more than happy to help!
P.S. – So, you actually read through this whole blog. And, we must apologize profusely for how nonsensical it may have seemed at times. But, you’re actually amazing.
You should really click on the link below and talk to us, because we’ll share just what you’re looking for in our time together. Thanks for reading. We just like to keep you on your toes.
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