Summer may be winding down, but your pool’s job isn’t quite finished. And neither is yours. Whether you’re planning to keep swimming into fall or start prepping for pool closing, this is the perfect time to give your water (and equipment) a well-earned refresh.

The truth is, your pool has been working hard all summer. High temps, frequent use, sunscreen, storms, and pollen all take a toll over time. Even if the water looks okay now, skipping this late-season cleanup can lead to cloudy water, algae, scaling, or a rough start next spring.

Here’s a quick and effective end-of-season cleanup routine that will help restore balance, reduce buildup, and set you up for a smoother fall, no matter what your next steps look like.

Start with the basics, but go a little deeper than your usual weekly maintenance.

• Skim the surface to remove lingering leaves, bugs, and pollen.
• Brush the entire pool, including steps, corners, and behind ladders.
• Vacuum or run your robotic cleaner to pick up what settles on the floor.

Even if you’ve kept up with regular care, this round of extra attention will help dislodge buildup before it becomes a bigger issue.

Your skimmer and pump baskets may have more trapped debris than usual after weeks of warm weather, rain, and heavy use. Clear them out and take a few minutes to inspect your filter.

• Backwash (sand/DE) or rinse and inspect (cartridge).
• If it’s been a while since your last deep clean, this is a good time to use a filter cleaner.
• Check pressure readings and note any changes.

Cleaning the filter now gives it a head start on whatever’s coming next, whether that’s continued use or closing prep.

Water that’s been through a full summer season can start to drift out of balance, even if you’ve been testing regularly.

Key things to check:

• Free chlorine or sanitizer levels
• pH and total alkalinity
• Calcium hardness
• Cyanuric acid (stabilizer)
• Phosphates, if you’ve had algae or cloudy water issues

A minor imbalance now can turn into a major issue if you let it sit. Address any out-of-range levels and consider a preventative treatment before things get worse.

Product to consider:

E-Z POOL® is a convenient way to reset water balance and provide built-in protection against algae, scale, and cloudiness. If your routine slipped during the summer, restarting now can restore order fast.

Body oils, sunscreen, lotions, sweat, and swimmer waste build up over the summer, and they don’t just disappear. These organic contaminants increase chlorine demand and can leave behind hazy water, odor, or waterline scum.

Product to consider:

ENZymePRO® is ideal for this stage. A weekly dose breaks down the invisible residue left behind after a busy season, helping your sanitizer work more efficiently while improving water clarity.

This is especially helpful if you’ve hosted parties, allowed pets in the pool, or dealt with storms or heat waves.

Phosphates are the primary food source for algae, and they tend to rise by the end of the season due to plant debris, rain, and runoff. At the same time, warmer water and unbalanced calcium or pH levels can lead to scale buildup on surfaces and equipment.

Product to consider:

Revive!® WEEKLY tackles both of these issues at once. It removes phosphates, fine particles, and metals while helping to prevent scale. It’s an ideal once-a-week treatment to support your water now and into the fall.

Once your cleanup is complete, take a moment to plan your next move:

• Keeping your pool open longer? Continue with your weekly maintenance routine (simplified with products like E-Z POOL® and ENZymePRO®)
• Planning to close soon? Consider a pre-closing treatment with Revive!® START UP/CLEAN UP to get ahead of metals and organics before the cover goes on.

End-of-summer pool care doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is important. A focused cleanup now can reduce chlorine demand, protect your equipment, and keep your water looking great whether you’re swimming into October or getting ready to close.

Take a few extra steps this week and your pool will thank you—with better water, easier maintenance, and a smoother transition into whatever’s next.