Keep Pool Water Crystal Clear Naturally

Having a pool is great—until the water turns cloudy and you have no idea why. You don’t want to be dumping a bunch of harsh chemicals in there all the time, so what’s the best way to keep your pool water crystal clear, naturally? Let’s get straight into it.

Keep the Pool Moving

Stagnant water is a disaster waiting to happen. You know how a pond that sits still ends up full of algae and muck? Your pool is the same. The key is keeping the water circulating.

Make sure your pump and filter run for at least 6-8 hours a day—more if it’s hot, or if a lot of people have been swimming. A good-quality filter is essential, and in New Zealand, you can check out Places like Pool & Spa Warehouse (poolandspawarehouse.co.nz) for decent pumps and filter options.

Skim and Brush—It’s Not Just About Looks

Leaves, dirt, and anything else floating in the water are more than just annoying—they feed algae and bacteria. If you get rid of debris before it sinks, you stop problems before they start.

Skim the surface daily with a net.
Brush the walls and floor at least once a week to stop algae from clinging on.
Vacuum the pool regularly to get rid of the grime that settles at the bottom.

If you want to make your life easier, check out an automatic pool cleaner from Mr Pool Man NZ (mrpoolman.co.nz)—it’ll save you a heap of effort.

Natural Pool Clarifiers

You don’t always need harsh chemicals to keep your water clear. Here are a few natural options:

Baking Soda – Keeps pH levels balanced and prevents cloudiness. Around ½ a cup per 10,000 litres can help.
White Vinegar – Helps break down calcium build-up around the edges of the pool.
Pool Enzymes – These break down organic contaminants like sunscreen and body oils. You can find enzyme-based products at stores like Para Rubber (pararubber.co.nz).
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters – If you want ultra-fine filtration without chemicals, DE filters are a great option.

Keep It Balanced

Water that’s out of balance causes all sorts of problems—cloudy water, itchy skin, even damage to your pool equipment. You should check these levels weekly:

pH: Keep it between 7.2-7.6
Alkalinity: Should sit between 80-120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: Around 150-250 ppm
Chlorine (if you use it): Aim for 1-3 ppm

Instead of guessing, get a decent test kit—Aquachek test strips from Pool & Spa Warehouse make it easy.

Use a Pool Cover

No one likes scooping leaves out of the pool every five minutes. A pool cover keeps out debris, reduces evaporation, and keeps the water temperature stable. It also slows algae growth by blocking sunlight.

You can find Kiwi-made solar pool covers at Pool Covers Direct NZ (poolcoversdirect.co.nz).

Harness the Power of Saltwater

If you’re over using chlorine tablets, you might want to switch to a saltwater chlorinator. Instead of manually adding chlorine, it turns salt into a steady flow of natural chlorine—less harsh, easier on the skin, and less maintenance for you.

Systems like those from The Pool Warehouse (thepoolwarehouse.co.nz) are worth looking into.

Natural Algae Control

Algae loves warm, still water. If you see greenish patches on the walls or floor, that’s your warning sign. Instead of pouring in a tonne of chemicals:

Add a cup of baking soda weekly—this helps prevent algae growth.
Use phosphate removers – Algae feeds on phosphates, so cutting them out stops algae before it even gets started.
Keep your filter clean – A dirty filter spreads algae like a bad cold.
Try a UV pool steriliser – UV light kills algae spores naturally. You can get one from Complete Pool Solutions (completepools.co.nz).

Rainwater and Pool Clarity

Heavy rain can mess with your pool’s chemistry, making it go cloudy. After rain:

Check pH and chlorine levels – Rain usually lowers pH.
Skim out extra debris – Leaves and dirt bring in bacteria.
Run the pump longer to circulate everything properly.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your pool water clear naturally isn’t about one magic trick—it’s about good habits. Keep the water moving, stay on top of skimming and cleaning, and use natural boosters like baking soda and pool enzymes.

Stick with it, and you’ll have a crystal-clear pool all summer—without going overboard on harsh chemicals.

Pool Owners New Zealand