How To Clean Your Pool Floats and Toys

There’s nothing that’ll put the damper on a family pool day like a dirty or slimy pool toy. Keeping your household’s innertubes, noodles, dive sticks, and more clean starts with your technique and cleaning solution—but your storage plan matters too. Learn how to keep your pool toys clean all season long!

Home-Made Disinfectant Spray to Clean Your Pool Toys

There’s no shortage of store-bought disinfectants you can buy, but if you’re looking for something natural, we have the solution for you. Start by finding an empty, clean spray bottle. Then mix the following ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon of dish soap
• 10 drops of tea tree oil

Dish soap is a safe and effective cleaner for removing set-in stains, dirt, and mildew. Paired with tea tree oil, which is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and has insect-repelling qualities, it’s a concoction that can’t be beat.

Need something slightly more abrasive? Try a solution that includes baking soda.

While in the pool, your toys will stay clean because of the chlorine; it’s usually in storage that they get dirty. With a few upgrades to your pool toy storage, you’ll be able to keep your floats cleaner between pool sessions.

How To Clean Pool Toys

The pool toy category encompasses a large number of items. Recommended cleaning may vary by type.

Diving Rings, Masks, and More

For smaller pool toys, such as diving rings or masks, you’ll want to spray them and wipe them down with a cloth to help break up any caked-on dirt. For extreme stains, put the above solution in a large bowl or bucket and let the toys soak overnight.

How to Clean Pool Floats

Follow these steps to clean your inflatable pool floats:

1. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water.
2. Use a sponge or spray bottle to spread the solution over the toys and scrub the grime off with a soft-bristled brush.
3. Rinse off all cleaning solution residue with a hose.
4. Make sure to dry any toys before storing them to avoid mold growth or dirt sticking to wet spots.

If your pool floats have mildew or mold, you can use bleach or a DIY disinfectant to kill any growth. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse off your pool floats before you or your family use them.

DIY Pool Toy Storage

Pool days are full of accessories ranging from toys to towels. Keeping your accessories stored properly will keep them cleaner and make access easier.

• On a wooden pallet. Pallets are an easy and inexpensive way to organize items like pool noodles and tools. Pallets can also be painted to brighten your space and are durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions.
• Hanging on a coat rack. Coat racks are easy to install and allow you to hang wet towels for better drying. Make sure they are installed high enough that even longer towels won’t be sitting on the ground.
• In a DIY pool toy net. Make a pool toy net. Use a cargo net or mesh fabric and some outdoor-rated hooks. Find a flat surface such as a poolside fence, shed, or inside your garage. Securely install the hooks and hang the folded net, creating a pocket that will hold your toys but allow dirt and water to fall off.

It’s important to keep your pool toys and accessories elevated in storage and not loose on your garage floor. As they dry, water will fall off and you’ll want to make sure that they aren’t sitting in any puddles, which will lead to mud. Putting them in bins is okay as long as they are dry before going in. Avoid storing them in cardboard boxes, though, as the wetness will eventually lead to mold and mildew, and you’ll have to clean the toys all over again!

Once You’ve Cleaned Your Toys, Let Us Clean Your Pool

A fun day in the sun requires more than clean pool toys. Keep your pool clean with help from the friendly technicians at your local America’s Swimming Pool Co. Whether it’s early in the season or the height of summer, we’re on hand to help you make the most of your pool. Request an estimate online or call (866) 253-0455 today.