5 Things to Know About Cleaning a Pool Filter With a Garden Hose

A garden hose with a jet or cone nozzle is enough for 90 percent of cartridge filter cleanings. No chemicals, pressure washer, or soaking is needed.

Cartridge fibers are fragile. A pressure washer shreds them, and chemical soaks degrade them over time.

Blast dirt out from between the pleats by spraying from the inside out at an angle. This pops debris loose without damaging the filter.

Only use a filter cleaner (TSP substitute or commercial spray) if the filter is greasy or stained after hosing. That is a once or twice per season treatment, not a routine step.

Clean the filter every two weeks during heavy use rather than letting it cake on. A $15 spray nozzle works better than a $40 bottle of acid.