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  2. Stain Removers: Buyer's Guide & FAQ
Stain Removers FAQs

STAIN REMOVERS: BUYER’S GUIDE & FAQ

Pool FAQs YOU ASKED
WE ANSWERED

Beach Ball How do I tell what kind of stain it is? [open]
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Start by looking at the color. This is an easy way to get an idea of what kind of stain it is. We’ve included a chart to help you match the color to the stain’s culprit:

Beach Ball How can I get rid of a stain? [open]
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Start by testing your water and checking your balance, regardless of the type of stain you have.

For Organic Stains: Once your pool is balanced, super shock your pool with calcium hypochlorite (we recommend Rx Clear® Super Shock Swimming Pool Shock). Once the shock has circulated for a few hours, apply granular chlorine to the stain and begin to scrub.

For Metal/Mineral Stains: Once your pool is balanced, you’ll want to carefully follow the instructions of a stain remover designed to remove stains caused by that specific metal or mineral. This often requires you to pour a specific amount in based on how many gallons of water are in your pool. The amount varies by the cleaner, so always check as you’re purchasing a stain remover so you get the proper amount.

For Scale Stains: There are a few ways to remove scale. The easiest method is to purchase a calcium stain remover, which you’ll just add to the water or apply to the area — depending on the instructions. For scale on tile, you can use a stain eraser that works on calcium or a pumice stone. You’ll use this to scrub the area and leave your tile looking polished.

[Shop All Stain Removers & Cleaners]
Beach Ball Do I need to drain my pool to use stain remover? [open]
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Many stain removers don’t require you to drain your pool. If your staining is more severe or your first course of treatment hasn’t removed the stain, you may need to drain your pool to gain easier access to the stain. [Shop All Stain Removers & Cleaners]
Beach Ball How can I prevent stains from forming? [open]
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While some staining is unavoidable, there are ways you can limit the likelihood of stains forming. The best way to avoid stains is with careful, regular maintenance. Keep your pool balanced and clean, and vacuum your pool regularly.

We also carry several products that can be added to your pool weekly that work to prevent stains from forming (we recommend Rx Clear® Metal Out). Using a solution weekly is particularly beneficial if you often have issues with scale or have noticed that your area has certain, stain-causing metals present in the water.

If you do notice a stain starting to form, you’ll want to begin treating it immediately to stop it from spreading or getting worse. [Shop All Stain Removers & Cleaners]
Beach Ball How do I determine how many gallons my pool is? [open]
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You’ll need to find the volume of your pool. Here’s a quick formula you can use:

Length x Width x Average Depth x Multiplier = Volume in Gallons
  • Multiplier for rectangular and square pools is 7.5
  • Multiplier for oval pools is 6.7
  • Multiplier for round pools is 5.9
Note: All measurements should be in feet, including the depth. For above ground pools, assume that the water depth is 6” less than the wall height, so if your pool is 48”, assume the depth is 3.5’, and for a 52” pool, use 4’.

If math isn’t for you, take a look of the chart below featuring common pool sizes and how many gallons of water each size holds.



For more help with calculating your pool size, visit our blog, How to Calculate the Number of Gallons in Your Pool.

Swimming Pool Buyers Guide STAIN REMOVERS & CLEANERS

No matter how careful you are or how well balanced your pool is, stains form, grime builds up and rust imbeds itself along the tiles. You aren’t stuck living with the stain, though. At PoolSupplies.com, we carry a variety of stain removers and cleaners to help keep your pool and surrounding deck clean.

Before you can pick the right stain remover, you’ll need to identify the type of stain you have. This falls into 3 main categories: organic, metallic/mineral and scale. Once you figure this out, you’ll be able to find the right treatment.
Beach Ball Organic Stains [open]
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Organic stains are caused by things like leaves, berries, algae and animals, and range in color from green to greenish-brownish-red. They could even be blue from berries. The easiest way to remove these stains is from cleaning and shocking your pool. If that isn’t enough, you can try applying granular chlorine to the stain directly. [Shop All Granular Chlorine]
Beach Ball Metal and Mineral Stains [open]
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A variety of different metals and minerals — introduced to your pool a variety of different ways — can cause stains on your pool surfaces, each leaving a different color behind. You’ll want to match up the color to the metal so you can find the appropriate stain remover.

To keep things easy, each stain remover’s product listing either says what metal stains it will work to remove or lists the color of stain it is effective on. Once you’ve purchased the proper stain remover, follow the instructions and see the stain go away.

To help identify the stain, here’s a helpful cheat sheet:



You can also identify the type of stain by checking your pool’s balance. Some readings will be able to tell you what metals are present.
Beach Ball Scale Stains [open]
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These white, brown and grey stains are from hard water, high chemical levels and temperature fluctuation, and often form along the waterline. These stains should be removed as soon as you notice them to avoid permanent damage to your pool surface. This can be done by using a calcium scale remover and following that cleaner’s instructions. [Shop All Stain Removers & Cleaners]
More Questions?
If you’re still unsure of what stain remover you need or have more questions, call our in-house pool experts at 1-800-356-3025 for more help.

WE RECOMMEND STAIN REMOVERS & CLEANERS
FROM Rx CLEAR®

Rx Clear® knows chemicals and strives to provide the best options and solutions for your inground or above ground pool. Their stain removers and cleaners are no exception. With Rx Clear® stain removers, you get:
  • A stain remover that works against a variety of stains, taking the guessing out of it
  • Easy to use, just requiring you to dump the right dosage into your pool and circulate
  • The ability to add weekly to prevent stains and scale from forming

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