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⭐Backyard Pool Essentials
18
items Four years ago we purchased a home with a gorgeous backyard pool. We've spent those four years making it a resort destination at home! Here are my tips and the best pool finds!
Sections
3
pool maintenance
fun essentials
general
pool maintenance
As first time pool owners, we've done a lot of reading and research on how to optimally care for our pool. Here are our recommendations, but we encourage you to do your own research too. We have a 22,000 gallon heated saltwater pool.
Protect your hands, knees and hips while cleaning your skimmer basket! NEVER reach down into the basket, as you could get bitten by any number of things including snakes. Always remove your skimmer basket carefully with a hook! (you're welcome :) )
16" Pool Skimmer Basket Hook-Stainless Steel
The product description says “reusable” but I don't bother. These are so inexpensive I put a clean one in our skimmer basket every day. Keep your pump and pool equipment clean daily! I wouldn't be without these!
Pool Skimmer Socks pack of 50
Getting these individually wrapped isn't essential in my mind, but keeping 2 or 3 tablets in your floating chlorinator is. These are pricey in my mind, but keeping your pool water crystal clear is priceless! These are an absolute essential for your p...
Clorox Pool & Spa 3” Chlorinating Tablets
These are essential if you have a Polaris 280-480 as we do. You will change these filter bags more often than you realize. I always keep a 2-pack on hand in the shed when needed. These are excellent quality with heavy duty zippers that do the job wel...
Polaris 280 & 480 Pool Cleaner Mesh Bags (2-Pack)
A portable sump pump is something you may not realize you need until it's too late. If there's a large storm or your pool overfills for any reason, you will NEED one of these on hand – fast. Our home came with one, but it was in the back of the shed ...
Portable 1/2 HP Submersible Sump Pump 2500 GPH
We keep a package of these on hand in the shed. These tail scrubbers don't last forever so it's helpful to have extras any time they need to be replaced. We find the “no name” brand just as good and more cost effective than the Polaris brand.
Polaris Pool Cleaner Hose Tail Scrubbers 12pk
A Polaris cleaner is my #1 recommendation if you have an in-ground pool. You may be tempted by the new-style cordless models, but beware on average they only run for an hour then go back to the dock. An hour isn't enough time to clean the pool! We ru...
Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Pressure-Side Pool Cleaner
This is an essential because every pool needs a little chlorine in my opinion, even saltwater pools like ours. I like this one because it opens easily and has room for three 3" tabs, and it quietly collects sunlight all day so it can glow beautifully...
Solar Pool Chlorine Floater with Lights
fun essentials
These are our favorite “fun” essentials that we keep on hand for gifts and/or when friends and guests come over.
This Backyard Swimming Pool: Bold & Easy Coloring Book is the best! 🏖️🖍️ Inside you’ll find: 💦 Fun backyard pool scenes 🦩 Cute summer vibes 🌈 Bold & easy pages for kids ☀️ BONUS: teacher-created activity pages Perfect screen-free activit...
Backyard Swimming Pool Bold and Easy Coloring Book
This pool floatie really is oversized and large enough for three teen girls! I've see it! Guests love this pool float, it's great for instagram pics!
Inflatable Giant Peacock Pool Float
We've got three of these sets! Avoid the cheaper ones because they're made of plastic and will break right away. Aqua brand is nice quality. The chairs are fabric and mesh. They fold up nicely and easy to take on vacation for your hotel pool too!
Aqua Swim Assorted Fabric/Mesh Inflatable 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Pool Lounge
This is one of the most popular floats in our pool. Guests love it and the cool feature is that it lights up after dark! So much fun!
FlyfreeU Solar Inflatable Flamingo Float
Pool celebrations need music and these speakers are PERFECT! We've had ours for 3 years now. We charge them in the sun every day, and they've never run out of power. The music can play very loud, too, for party vibes! The LED light option is great at...
Waterproof Bluetooth Solar Speakers 2 Pack 20W
general
Extras that will help your pool feel complete, professional, and optimal.
This is one of the first things you should buy when you purchase a home with a pool. It's important to know the water temperature, especially if your pool is heated. I love this one because it's solar powered, the dsplay size is large and easy to rea...
Digital Solar Floating Pool Thermometer
If your pool has a handrail, and I think most do, do yourself a favor and buy this immediately! You can thank me later :) (But take the time to measure so you get the right size… I accidentally ordered 3' when I needed 4')
Pool Zippered Handrail Cover, 4 Feet Neoprene
You're not going to know you need this until your ladder feels wobbly, or like us, you discovered one of the anchors was missing when your pool was either opened or closed. Your pool company many charge you up to $50 for one of these so do yourself a...
4 Pack Bronze Pool Ladder Anchors 3" & 4"
This might be my most important, time-saving recommendation of all. Our first two years with the pool were chaos. I had to set timers on my phone constantly to remember to turn the filter on and off, often forgetting and letting it run all night (and...
Pool Pump Timer 2HP 40A 7-Day Digital
This was probably one of our very first purchases when we bought this house. Even one broken bottle or plate can be very dangerous to bare feet on the pool deck, or even your pool if you have a liner. Do yourself a favor and let all friends and guest...
Aluminum 'No Glass Allowed' Pool Sign w/ Stake