Your pool filter is the unsung hero of your swimming pool. Hidden from view, it removes debris and other organics so you can enjoy countless refreshing experiences in clean, crystal clear water. The most important thing to remember when cleaning a pool filter is safety. You need to make sure you turn off and release the pressure properly to prevent injury and potential damage. Contact a Latham Independent Builder to answer any questions or concerns.

To clean an inground pool filter correctly, first identify which type of filter your pool is equipped with. There are three types of pool filters: sand, diatomaceous earth (DE) and cartridge filters. Each has its own pros and cons but it’s important to clean your filter regularly to ensure it’s operating efficiently.

Whether you have a sand, DE or cartridge filter, this guide will explain how to clean a pool filtration system.

DE Filters vs. Cartridge Filters vs. Sand Filters

Let’s start with the basics of how each pool filter works.

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DE Pool Filter

DE filters provide the highest filtration level, removing particles as tiny as five microns, but this efficient cleaning capacity comes at a price. They’re the most expensive type of pool filter, and their backwashing process is the most arduous.

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Cartridge Pool Filter

The cartridge filter uses spun polyester to clean all the debris from your pool water. You can buy a single element cartridge with one filter or a multi-element cartridge. When it comes to cleaning, the cartridge filter is even more low-maintenance than the sand filter. Just take it apart and rinse it off a few times a year and you’re done!

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Sand Pool Filter

A sand filter is a tank filled three-fourths of the way with sand or glass media. Pool water flows into the tank and trickles down through the sand, trapping micro-particles as small as 20 microns. (For context, a human hair is around 50-75 microns wide.)

You can clean your sand filter by backwashing (reversing the water flow so it flushes dirt and debris out of your waste port) in just a few minutes.

What is the Best Way to Clean a Pool Filter?

Before you buy a pool filter cleaning solution, determine which pool filter you have. The cleaning process is different for each one, though fundamentally, they all involve removing the accumulated dirt and debris.

Backwashing is a common technique used to clean DE and sand pool filters. Instead of pushing water through the filter to capture particles, you reverse the process to flush the contaminants out of the filter.

You cannot clean a cartridge filter by backwashing. The only way to remove the pool debris is by taking the cartridge apart and rinsing it thoroughly (only use a cleaning solution if it’s extremely dirty).