Winter is approaching. You’ve covered the pool, but what about your valuable robotic pool cleaner? Simply tossing it in the shed could lead to a multi-hundred-dollar repair bill come spring.
Many pool owners are unsure how to handle their robots during the cold months. Should they keep using it? How should it be stored?
Can I Use My Pool Cleaner in Winter?
Why Cold Water Can Break Your Pool Robot
Most manufacturers recommend stopping the use of your robotic pool cleaner when the water temperature consistently drops below 50°F.
Why? The cold water can make plastic components brittle and more susceptible to cracking. More importantly, it can damage the motor and compromise the waterproof seals, resulting in costly failures.
What If I Live in a Warm Climate?
If you live in a warm region (like parts of Florida or California) where your pool stays open and the water remains temperate, you can continue to use your robot, perhaps just less frequently. But for the vast majority of pool owners who must "close" their pool for the season, the answer is clear: Stop using it and store it properly.
The 5-Step Winter Storage Plan for Your Pool Robot
Follow these five easy steps. They will protect your robot all winter and get it ready for next summer.
Step 1: Give It One Last, Deep Clean
First, run your robot one last time. Put it in the pool and let it run a full cleaning cycle. This is to get all the last-minute leaves, acorns, and dirt off the pool floor. If your robot has a big filter basket, this job is much easier because you won't have to stop and empty it as often. After the cycle is finished, take a quick look at the pool corners and steps to make sure it got all the big pieces of trash.
Step 2: Drain All the Water Out (to Stop Cracking)
This step is very important. It stops serious damage. Any water left inside can freeze, expand, and crack the robot's body. That will ruin it. To drain it right:
- Turn off the robot and unplug it.
- Carefully lift the robot to the pool's edge. Hold it over the water for about a minute. Let all the water pour out of the body and vents.
- Gently tip the robot forward, backward, and side-to-side. This helps get water out of any hidden spots. If your model has a "fast-drain" feature, you will see that it gets light to carry very fast.
Step 3: Clean and Dry the Filter Basket
First, open the robot's filter area. Take out the filter basket and empty all the trash into a bag.
Next, use a garden hose (don't use a pressure washer) to spray the filter clean. Wash it from both the inside and the outside. Check the corners to get out any stuck sand or grit.
Last, and this is very important, after the filter looks clean, do not put it back in the robot. Set the filter somewhere dry with good airflow (sunlight is perfect). Let it air dry 100%. This might take a few hours. Storing it wet, even a little bit, will cause mold.
Step 4: Wipe Down the Body and Roll the Cable
First, take a soft cloth (a microfiber towel is perfect). Get it damp with fresh water and wipe down the whole outside of the robot. This cleans off any dried pool chemicals (like chlorine or salt) that can damage the plastic over the winter.
After the body is clean, take care of the power cable. Start from the end at the robot and loosely roll the cable into big loops (about 1-2 feet across). Important Tip: Never wrap the cable tightly around your arm or the robot. This creates sharp bends that damage the inner wires and cause tangles next year. When you are done coiling it, use a Velcro strap or a twist-tie to hold the loops together.
Step 5: Find a Safe Place to Store It
Your last step is to find a safe place for the robot. This is just as important as cleaning it.
- DO: Find a dry spot, has good airflow and will stay above freezing (0°C / 32°F) all winter. A basement, a heated garage, or an indoor closet are perfect.
- DON'T: DO NOT store it in a cold outdoor shed (it will freeze and crack), a pool box (it's too damp), or in direct sunlight (sunlight can break down the plastic).
Before you put it away, look for a power switch (usually on the bottom) and flip it to "OFF." If you have a cordless battery model, check your manual. You usually need to store it with about a 50-80% charge (not full and not empty).
As your final action, when the filter basket is 100% dry, you can put it back inside the robot. Set the robot in its storage spot and lay the rolled-up cable next to it.
3 Fatal Winter Storage Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake 1: Leaving it in the Cold Pool.
This is the worst offense. Once the water freezes, the expansion of ice will crack the casing, destroy the drive tracks, and ruin the motor.
Mistake 2: Storing it Wet or Dirty.
Storing the robot with a dirty filter and water inside will breed mold and bacteria. Trapped debris can harden like concrete, clogging impellers, and residual moisture can corrode the seals.
Mistake 3: Storing in Extreme Temperatures.
Storing the robot in a non-insulated attic that gets extremely hot or an unheated shed that freezes will drastically shorten the battery life and can damage sensitive electronic components.
What Makes a Pool Robot Easy to Store? (And Why It's Your Best Protection)
When you follow all the storage steps, you might notice some robots are easier to put away than others. This is no accident.
The easiest robots to store are usually the strongest, too. The same features that make them simple to handle also protect them during the long off-season. If you want a robot that's easy to prepare for winter and stays safe in storage, here is what to look for.
Features That Make Storage Simple
- A Cordless Design: This saves the most time. You don't have to clean, dry, and perfectly roll up a long, heavy cable. No tangles, no mess.
- Fast-Drain Feature: Some robots let all the water rush out as you lift them. This makes them much lighter to carry, so you don't have to drag a heavy, dripping robot inside.
- Easy-Access Filter Basket: Look for top-loading filters. This means you don't have to flip the heavy robot over just to get the filter out. You just open the lid, pull the basket, and rinse.
Features That Protect Your Robot
- A Strong Build: This is where being easy to use also means it lasts a long time. A robot made with strong, high-quality plastic won't get brittle or crack as easily in the cold. When you store a robot for months, you need to trust its parts won't break down. For example, the iGarden Pool Cleaner K Pro 100 has a tough "Automotive-Grade Nano-Coating." This gives it strong protection from saltwater, sunlight, and rust. This strength means the machine won't slowly break down while it's stored all winter.
- A Strong Warranty: This is your best safety net. A company's warranty shows you how much they trust their own product to last. When you buy a robot, look for brands that give you at least a 2- or 3-year warranty. This gives you a great safety net if any problems pop up after you store it.
- Clear Battery Instructions (for cordless): This also helps protect it. A good brand will give you simple, clear rules for storing the battery (for example, "store at 50% charge"). This way, you don't have to guess how to keep the battery healthy all winter.
Conclusion: Get Ready for a Hassle-Free Spring
Properly winterizing your robotic pool cleaner may seem like a chore, but it's a 15-minute task that protects a major investment. By following these steps—clean thoroughly, dry completely, and store in a frost-free environment—you're not just extending your robot's life. You're ensuring that when the first warm day of spring arrives, your robot is ready to go, not on its way to the repair shop.
Is your old cleaner showing its age and not worth the hassle of storing another winter? It might be the perfect time for an upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need to charge my robotic pool cleaner during storage?
Check your user manual. For most modern robots with lithium-ion batteries, it's recommended to store them with a charge level between 50%-80%. Avoid storing it fully charged or completely dead, as both can degrade battery health over the long term.
Q2: Can I leave the robot's power supply unit outside?
Absolutely not. The power supply is not waterproof and is not designed to withstand outdoor elements. It must be stored indoors in a dry location along with the robot.
Q3: What happens if I forgot to take my robot out of the pool and it's already winter?
If the water hasn't frozen yet, remove it immediately and follow all the drying and storage steps. If the pool is already frozen, do not try to "chip" it out. You will have to wait for a thaw and, unfortunately, prepare for a likely repair or replacement.
