It is amusing to watch your dog dive into the pool during a hot day. The amusement ends, though, when you notice hair in the water. This hair will clog up your skimmers and filter. For those who love dogs, this is a frequent issue. The good news is that you don't have to choose between the two. You can enjoy your dog and a clean pool. With a little planning and the proper equipment, you can contain the mess and keep the water clean and clear for all.
Tip 1: Stop the Hair Before It Starts
The simplest method of keeping dog hair out of your pool is to prevent it from entering the water in the first place. Some effort prior to your dog swimming can go a long way and also help you avoid spending a lot of time cleaning afterward.
Brush Your Dog First
Brush your dog before it goes swimming with a de-shedding brush. All the hair you remove on the deck is hair that won't end up in your pool. This task takes only five minutes, and it is the most important thing you can do. It saves a lot of work for your entire pool system, from the pump to your automatic pool cleaner.
Give a Quick Rinse
You can hose your dog down briefly before it goes swimming. This removes the loose hair that the brush didn't get. It also washes away dirt and other substances from its coat. A cleaner dog equals cleaner water, so your pool chemicals can do a better job of keeping the water safe.
Tip 2: Make Your Skimmers Work Better
The skimmer of your pool is the first to catch floating debris, and that does include dog hair. If your dog is shedding excessively or after swimming, this basket really has its work cut out. You can assist it in doing a more efficient job with some simple tricks.
To begin with, you need to clean your skimmer baskets more frequently. Dog hair has a tendency to accumulate fast and form a solid clog. This prevents water from flowing correctly and causes your pool pump to work too much. Look at it every day, or immediately after your dog swims, and not only once weekly.
For even cleaner results, utilize a "skimmer sock." It's an elastic net with small holes that you put in your skimmer basket. It's excellent for trapping small debris like dirt and hair before it has a chance to get into your pump and filter. They're inexpensive and an intelligent hack for a clean pool.
Tip 3: Keep Your Pump and Filter Safe
Many people worry about their pool parts. A common question is, can dog hair clog a pool pump? The short answer is yes, but not directly. The hair usually doesn't get past the pump's basket to block the moving parts. But if the skimmer and pump baskets get totally clogged with hair, not enough water can get to the pump. This can make the pump run with no water, get too hot, and maybe break.
Your filter will catch a lot of dog hair. Here is how to get dog hair out of your pool filter, depending on the kind you have:
- Cartridge Filters: These filters are great at catching hair, but they will get dirty faster. You will need to take the cartridges out and wash them with a hose more often. Use a strong spray to get the trapped hair out.
- Sand and D.E. Filters: Dog hair can make a thick mat on top of the sand. The main way to get rid of it is to backwash your filter. You should backwash it often, especially when the pressure is 8-10 PSI higher than normal.
Tip 4: Pick the Best Tools for the Job
Even if you do all the right things, some hair will still get in the pool and sink. This is when you need good cleaning tools, like a vacuum.
Cleaning by Hand vs. Using a Machine
A net on a long pole is good for grabbing floating hair right after your dog swims. For hair on the pool floor, a vacuum is what you need. You can vacuum by hand, but an automatic pool cleaner is the best way to keep the pool clean without a lot of work. Buying a good pool cleaner is a big help for anyone with a pool and a pet.
Finding the Best Pool Vacuum for Dog Hair
Different vacuums handle hair differently.
- Robotic Pool Cleaners: These are usually the best choice. They have their own filter bag or box inside them. This means they catch the hair themselves, so it doesn't go to your main pool filter. Look for a robotic pool cleaner with a large filter that's easy to clean. The robotic pool cleaner like the iGarden Pool Cleaner offers a large filter basket and powerful suction, making it ideal for handling lots of pet fur. Turbo 200% Mode boosts power to tackle tough stains and debris. A 180-micron filter captures fine particles with precision, leaving your pool visibly clean and swim-ready.
- Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners: These are another good choice. They have their own bag that catches hair and leaves before they get to your skimmer. This really helps lower the amount of work for your main filter.
- Suction-Side Pool Cleaners: These are often cheaper, but they might not be the best choice for a lot of dog hair. They send all the hair they pick up straight to your pump basket and filter, so you have to clean those parts more often.
Tip 5: Two Easy Tricks That Really Work
Sometimes the easiest ideas work really well. If you still have a problem with hair and the oily stuff from a dog's coat, try these two tricks.
- Use Tennis Balls: Just throw a few tennis balls in the pool. The fuzzy outside of the ball is great for catching dog hair and soaking up oils from your dog's coat.
- Use a Pool Enzyme Product: Pool enzymes are natural products that break down things like oils and lotions. They break down the oils from your dog's coat, so the hair doesn't get greasy and stick together in big clumps. This makes it much easier for your filter and pool cleaner to pick up.
Conclusion
Having your dog in the pool should be fun, not a cleaning problem. If you do things first, like brushing, and you have a good cleaning schedule for your baskets and filter, you can win the fight against fur. Buying the right tools, especially a good pool cleaner, will make the daily work much easier. With these tips, you can spend less time cleaning and more time swimming with your dog in a nice, clean pool.
