You’ve invited friends over, the weather looks perfect, and the pool... doesn’t. Maybe the water’s looking a little cloudy, or there’s a strange smell hanging in the air. It’s not exactly the first impression you want for your big pool day.

The good news? You can fix most water issues quickly—often within 24 hours or less—if you know what to use and when to use it. Here’s a fast-track guide to getting your pool sparkling clear and smelling fresh before guests arrive.

If your pool doesn’t look or smell right, it’s usually one (or more) of the following:

• Organic buildup: Think body oils, sunscreen, lotions, pollen, or even pet debris.
• Chlorine demand: Your sanitizer is overwhelmed and can’t keep up with the waste in the water.
• Imbalanced chemistry: High or low pH, poor circulation, or elevated phosphate levels can all reduce clarity.
• Filter issues: A dirty or overworked filter can’t properly clean the water.

Whatever the culprit, the key is targeted action—not dumping in random chemicals and hoping for the best.

Even if you're in a rush, a quick test strip can give you insight into whether your chlorine, pH, or alkalinity is way off. If they are, make minor adjustments first, especially if pH is outside the 7.2–7.6 range.

But if your numbers look fine and the pool still looks or smells "off"? Time to dig into the fast fixes.

When you’ve got hazy or cloudy water, but your filter’s running and the chemistry seems okay, a clarifier is often your secret weapon. Clarifiers work by binding tiny particles into larger ones, so your filter can catch them.

Try: E-Z POOL® – This all-in-one weekly treatment contains a built-in clarifier along with balancers and algae control, so if you’re already using it, you’re ahead of the game. If not, it’s an easy way to improve water quality fast and simplify your overall care routine.

Cloudy water and weird smells often go hand in hand. That odor? It’s likely from chloramines—byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with body waste, sweat, lotions, or other organic material.

One of the best ways to break down those problem-causers is with an enzyme treatment.

Try: ENZymePRO® – This natural enzyme product tackles oils, lotions, and grime that cause cloudy water and buildup along the tile line. It also helps your sanitizer work more efficiently, so your water stays cleaner with less chemical stress. Use it weekly or add a maintenance dose before your event for fresher, cleaner water.

This isn’t the time to rely on your normal filter schedule. Run your pump and filter continuously for 12–24 hours, especially after treating the pool.

Make sure your:

• Skimmer baskets are clean
• Filter has been backwashed or rinsed
• Return jets are angled for good circulation

For sand or DE filters:

• Backwash as needed
• Add a filter cleaner if it’s not performing as well as usual

If you’re still not seeing improvement, the filter might be overwhelmed by fine debris. In that case, using Revive!® WEEKLY can help remove those stubborn particles and get the sparkle back.

Before guests arrive:

• Skim the surface one more time for leaves or pollen
• Brush visible spots or steps for good measure
• Check chlorine and pH one last time and adjust slightly if needed

If everything’s clear, and there's no more “pool smell” in the air, you’re good to go.

If you don’t want to scramble every time people come over, consider building these into your regular routine:

• Use E-Z POOL® weekly to simplify your care and keep everything in balance
• Add ENZymePRO® for consistent clarity and reduced scum and odors
• Keep your filter clean and run it longer after heavy use or weather events

A cloudy pool or funky smell doesn’t have to ruin your pool party plans. With the right products and a little prep, you can get back to crystal-clear, great-smelling water in no time.

So go ahead—send the invites, inflate the floaties, and enjoy your pool without the stress. You’ve got this.