How to Clean and Maintain Pool Cartridge Filters Properly

It is important to keep a healthy pool at all times, for the sake of the users’ well-being and the pool. Therefore, pool filters are a must-have for pool owners who prefer doing it themselves.

To keep your pool in great condition, the pool filter has to be in great condition. It also has to have correct pool filter sizing based on the pool size for maximum efficiency.

Hence, cleaning and maintaining your pool cartridge filter is non-negotiable. Remember, a clean filter equals a clean pool.

Thankfully, since cartridge filters do not need backwashing, they are quite easy to take care of. Simply cleaning and maintaining your pool cartridge will keep it functional and durable.

This comprehensive guide teaches you how to clean pool cartridge filters and tips to keep them clean.

How to Clean and Maintain Pool Cartridge Filters

Is your pool water cloudy, or is the pressure gauge spiking? A dirty filter is the likely culprit, and the only way to get rid of the dirt in your filter is by cleaning it.

According to SPASA Australia, a swimming pool must be filtered to remove unwanted residuals to keep the water clear.

A pool filter does the work of cleansing the pool of impurities and dirt that it comes across. Its mesh captures the debris and dirt, but stops working when it is clogged, which means it needs to be freed.

Interestingly, cleaning pool cartridge filters shouldn't have to be a chore, especially the regular rinsing. It only takes about 30 minutes to clean, or if it is quite dirty, you can soak it overnight.

That's why pool professionals recommend that pool owners have an extra pool cartridge filter. While the dirty one is soaking, you can replace it with the extra.

Pool owners can do regular rinsing or routine cleaning at least every 1-3 months. Some pool cleaners don't mind doing this every 2-6 weeks, especially during swimming periods.

Rinse it with a garden hose and aim it at a 45° angle to clean out the dirt and debris.

Deep cleansing is another way to clean your pool cartridge. This can be done periodically (usually 3-6 months) with a filter degreaser soak or Trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean oils and scale.

Signs Your Cartridge Filter Needs Cleaning

Pool owners don't necessarily have to wait for glaring signs before they carry out a pool cleanup.

According to the NSW Guidelines on Swimming Pools, incidents such as bodily contaminants may affect swimming pool water quality.

That's why filter maintenance tips can point out signs you might have missed. Here are some pointers that indicate it is time to clean your cartridge filter:

Pressure Gauge (PSI/kPa)

The pressure gauge is the first step to knowing that your pool cartridge filters need cleaning. If the gauge reads at 8-10 PSI (pounds per square inch) / 55-70 kPa (considered high) above the clean pressure, you need a cleaning session.

You can find your clean pressure during the initial installation of the filter gauge or in your manual. Baseline or clean pressure is the initial pressure reading (usually low) immediately after cleaning the filter.

High-pressure reading (8-10 PSI / 55-70 kPa) suggests there is a buildup of contaminants in the cartridge filter, obstructing the flow of water through the cartridge pleats.

Flow Rate

Once the return jet strength looks reduced, it means the filter is taking more time to process water, and it is getting clogged.

Note that a reduced flow can affect your entire pool equipment system if neglected.

Visual Cues

You can inspect the water and the cartridge filter to look out for elements that can disrupt the water flow or quality.

Algae growth, oil buildup, and debris can clog the pleats or diminish water clarity (cloudy water).

Tools for Cleaning Pool Cartridge Filters

• Garden hose (with a spray nozzle): for rinsing out the cartridge filter during routine cleaning
• Filter cleaner/degreaser spray: a chemical solution used to clean the cartridge filter
• 5-gallon bucket/50-gallon trash can: depending on the number or size of cartridge filter you are soaking, you will need either
• Silicon lubricant/paste: to lubricate the O-rings so they remain in good condition. You can also replace the O-rings, if needed
• Safety gloves (nitrile gloves) and safety glasses: these come in handy when handling the muriatic acid
• Filter flosser/filter cleaning wand: for reaching deep into the cartridge pleats

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Pool Cartridge Filters

Once you have gathered all the tools you need, you can now follow these pool cartridge filter cleaning steps:

Step 1. Turn Off the System

Take precautions by first turning off the pool pump at the breaker. This prevents any possibility of injury or damage to equipment while running.

Turning off the pool pump also prevents water from further entering the filter or splashing upwards.

Next, release air pressure via the relief valve. Wait till the trapped air escapes before moving on to the next step.

Step 2. Remove the Cartridge

Open the filter tank lid/ housing. Depending on the model of your pool cartridge, you may need to simply press a release tab or turn the locking knob (if it has an O-ring clamp). Or consult your manual.

If it has clamps and bolts, loosen them. Then, pull out the filter cartridge/s from the filter housing. Remove any accumulated dirt, leaves, and algae from the housing base, so you don't re-soil it once washed.

Step 3. Initial rinse

Move the cartridge to your designated cleaning area (preferably on the grass or lawn to save water and feed the soil).

The Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia (SPASA) recommends a number of water-saving techniques focused on minimising evaporation, efficient maintenance, and water reuse.

Use a garden hose on moderate pressure (no pressure washers or high pressure) to rinse out debris. This prevents damaging the filter.

Place it at a 45° angle and work from top to bottom to avoid pushing back the dirt. Make sure to rinse all around, as the initial rinse can remove up to 60-70% accumulated contaminants.

Use a cartridge cleaning tool (filter cleaning brush/comb) to get any debris that seems hard to remove. Do it gently and in a downward manner to avoid damaging the pleats.

Step 4. Degreasing (Crucial step)

After hosing, and stubborn residuals remain, it is time for a deep or chemical cleanse.

This phase requires pool filter cleaners to strip the cartridge filter of any remaining residue.

Use filter cleaners designed for cartridge filters and never mix different products to prevent unwanted reactions.

Step 5. Deep Cleaning

• Wear protective gloves and glasses
• Fill a bucket or trash can with water, and add a cup of filter cleaner (TSP) or any preferred cleaner to 20 litres of water. Calculate the required amount depending on the amount of water used.
• Submerge the cartridge filters and leave for 8-12 hours or overnight, as desired.
• If your filter has mineral deposits or algae, give it a muriatic acid bath.

Note: Remove previous filter cleaner and oil residuals before acid soak. Use 1 part muriatic acid and four parts water, and soak for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with water, baking soda mix, then more water.

Step 6. Final rinse & dry

Give the filters a final rinse and reinstall them in the filter housing and leave them for some time to dry.

Maintenance Checklist of Pool Cartridge Filter Maintenance

Check the Pleats and Bands: Confirm that the filter pleats are not frayed or damaged, and the filter's bands are in good condition.

O-ring Maintenance: Clean the tank's O-rings and lubricate them with silicon paste to keep them in good condition.

Filter Maintenance Schedule

Common Mistakes Australian Pool Owners Make

• Using a pressure washer (damages fibres)
• Soaking in acid before removing oils (locks oil into the paper).
• Using household bleach (degrades the cartridge material)

Conclusion

Cleaning of cartridge filters is an important step for longevity. Although pool cartridge filters still require replacement in the long run, good care helps to keep your pool and pool filter in good shape.

Spend less time scrubbing filters and more time swimming. Check out Aiper's robotic cleaners that help reduce filter load by capturing debris first.