3 Investments That Slash Pool Leaf Cleanup

Buy a mesh leaf cover for when the pool isn’t in use A breathable mesh cover prevents leaves from entering while letting rainwater drain through, avoiding stagnant pools that breed mosquitoes. A cheap tarp traps water and creates more problems.

Get a robotic pool cleaner that climbs walls and handles debris Spend a few hundred on a name-brand robot like the Dolphin series that scrubs the bottom and catches leaves before they decompose. It automates the heavy lifting far better than manual vacuuming.

Run your pump and skimmer baskets daily during heavy leaf season Empty the skimmer baskets every day or two — this is the one task you cannot automate. The combination of a cover and robot eliminates about 80% of manual leaf work.