4 Things to Know About Cleaning Your Pool Cartridge Filter

Clean when pressure rises 8-10 psi above baseline Write down the pressure right after a fresh cleaning. When it climbs 8-10 psi above that number, it is time to rinse. Waiting longer makes your pump work harder and water flow slower.

Rinse from the inside out with a hose nozzle Pull the cartridge and spray it down from the inside out. For deep cleaning, soak it in a filter cleaner like muriatic acid or a commercial degreaser once a season.

Replace the cartridge every two years Replace sooner if you see tears, fraying, or the material feels stiff and crusty despite cleaning. If it takes more than 20 minutes to hose off because dirt is baked in, the cartridge is done.

Trust the gauge, not the water appearance The gauge shows you what your eyes cannot. Do not wait for the pool to look cloudy before cleaning.