When should I clean my salt cell, and how do I do it properly?

Clean your salt cell only when you see the flow light warning or notice reduced chlorine production. Inspect every few months for white calcium scaling between the plates. Mix a 4:1 water-to-muriatic acid solution, wear gloves and eye protection, submerge just the plates for 5–10 minutes, then rinse with a hose. Overcleaning strips the ruthenium coating and kills the cell—most cells last 3–5 years with this rhythm.