Skimming

• Use either a hand-held skimmer net or one mounted on a telescopic pole. Use the net to remove surface debris such as fallen leaves from the pool before they saturate and sink to the bottom.
  
  Either use the pole mounted net to stand at the edge of the pool and scoop out the debris, or hold it in your hand and gently get into the water and walk around slowly and remove the debris without disturbing it.
  
  Skim the surface with the net whenever it needs it. If your pool is shaded by a number of trees, skimming may be necessary every day during some parts of the season.
  
  

Empty Baskets

• The skimmer basket works like an automatic skimmer net. The circulation of the water from the pump causes the debris at the water's surface to float past the skimmer, where suction from the filtration system sucks in floating insects, leaves or other items, where they are caught in the basket. Eventually the baskets fill up and the strength of the suction subsides.
  
  Empty the skimmer basket on a regular basis and do not allow the basket to fill up to the point where unnecessary debris moves past the skimmer. Dispose of the debris in an area where it will not dry out and blow back into the water.
  
  

Disinfect Water

• Use balanced chemicals to clean your pool. Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant for swimming pools. Chlorine destroys microorganisms that may inhabit your water and make you or other swimmers ill.
  
  Add chlorination products that are designed for swimming pool use, and test your water with a chlorine and pH testing kit to make sure the levels are adequate.
  Check your pool's water twice per week, and use enough chlorine to bring the level between 1.0 and 2.0 parts per million for best results, according to PoolCenter.com.
  
  Add soda ash to regulate pH levels to around 7.5, and use algaecide as needed to control the growth of algae in the pool.
  
  

Brush and Vacuum

• When regular cleaning gets away from you or pool chemistry is off, algae begins growing on the walls or floor of your pool. Use a pool brush and algaecide to remove it.
  
  Brush down the sides and floor of your pool regularly to check for algae growth or to sweep loose debris to a pile in the middle of the pool for easy vacuuming. Dedicate 10 minutes per day to brushing down your pool, according to Lowes.com.
  
  Use a pool vacuum hooked to the filtration system to suck up any loose debris from the floor of the pool and return your pool to a clean condition.