A good pool owner knows that detailed maintenance each month is a necessary part of having a pool. Even so, there are some creative methods you can apply to the maintenance process. With that, here are five tricks to help with pool maintenance.

REMOVE OILS WITH TENNIS BALLS

When people go into the pool, often they leave behind sunscreen, body, lotion, and hair and makeup oils in the water. Dropping a few tennis balls into your pool and allowing them to float for a few hours will absorb the oils and leave the water more clear.

CLEAN TILE WITH BAKING SODA

You can mix baking soda with water to create a solution that can clean pool tile. Use it to scrub dirty areas around the water some of the other cleaners can’t get to. The baking soda shouldn’t have a damaging affect on the water. In fact, it may help…

USE BAKING SODA TO INCREASE PH LEVELS

Adding sodium bicarbonate—or baking soda—can be used as a cheap alternative to increase the pH levels of your pool when you don’t have anything else available. Note that normal pool chemicals are designed to increase pool pH levels and will be more effective with less of the risk of baking soda.

SWIM IN BATHING SUITS

Given Arizona’s intense heat, sometimes a casual visit to a friend’s house can turn into an unplanned dip in the pool. Most people think normal clothes can suffice for swimming. But, over time, repeated use of the pool in traditional clothes can cause harm to the water. The materials and dye in the clothes can have an effect on the pool chemicals. Make sure everyone tries to use a bathing suit as much as possible.

USE AN INFLATABLE DONUT FOR SNACKS

This one doesn’t help with maintenance, but can make owning a pool much more enjoyable. All you have to do is find a bowl that will fit snuggly in the middle of an inflatable donut. Fill the bowl with snacks and have your food float on the water. Never use, “I’m getting hungry” as a reason to leave the water again!