Storing Pool Equipment and Maintaining Your Pool Over the Summer

April 3, 2025 | Lifestyle

Once the swimming season wraps up, you may feel stuck on where to store all your gear in your neatly organized garage. Instead of cramming your items into a corner where they’ll be lost until next year, why not find a better solution?

Also, keeping up with pool maintenance during the summer is key to having a great swimming experience. Check out our blog at Metro Self Storage for helpful tips on organizing and storing your pool equipment in the offseason, plus some great advice on caring for your pool throughout the summer!

Storing Pool Equipment During the Offseason

A personal self storage unit can be an invaluable resource when preparing for the offseason. From pool float storage to relocating swimming pool cleaning equipment, having your items in one place makes them easy to access, keeps them organized, and keeps them out of the weather. This is an excellent, affordable option for homeowners who don’t necessarily have the space in their garage for extra toys and equipment or don’t have enough room for a pool shed.

Storage units are known for their flexibility and accessibility. They typically offer extended daily access hours so you can grab your goods when you need them!

How To Clean and Store Bulky Pool Items

To prepare bulky pool items, such as large pool chairs or exercise equipment, follow a few simple steps to help preserve them over time and keep them ready for the next swim season. Here’s how:

Floating pool chairs and other pool floats. Rinse the floats with water after each use, and use mild soap on a sponge or cloth to remove oils and dirt. Rinse again and dry thoroughly. Deflate to prevent damage to the seams, and store in a cool, dry place away from sharp objects.
Pool covers. Gently remove debris, dirt, leaves, and branches using a skimmer or soft broom to prevent scratching. Wash the cover with soap, warm water, and a soft brush to eliminate hard-to-reach dirt and grime, then rinse thoroughly. Lay the cover flat in a shaded area to dry completely. Once dry, fold it neatly and store it in a container or bag away from sharp objects.
Pool exercise equipment. Rinse exercise equipment with fresh water after each use to remove chemicals. For a deeper clean on water weights and resistance bands, use mild dish soap or gentle laundry detergent along with a soft sponge or cloth. Air dry these items out of the sun and store them in a breathable tote bag or bin.

Pool Cleaning Tools

Before storing your pool cleaning tools, such as skimmers, vacuums, and brushes, it’s helpful to clean them thoroughly to maintain their condition and potentially prevent rust or damage during storage. Start by rinsing the tools with water to remove salt, dirt, and chlorine, which can help avoid buildup.

It’s also beneficial to hang tools, like brushes, on hooks or racks with the bristles facing up. This way, they can get plenty of air circulation to dry thoroughly. For tools with metal parts, applying a protective lubricant or oil—like silicone spray or rust-resistant lubricant—is a great tip to keep them safe from moisture and rust. Remember, storing your pool items in a cool, dry place away from the elements and sunlight will help maintain their condition over time!

Pool Toys and Accessories

You certainly don’t want to leave your pool toys submerged all season long or afterward. To prevent fading from the sun or cracking from the heat, get a few storage bins or large tote bags to keep your smaller items organized, in good shape, and ready for the next season. Pool toys and accessories that we recommend storing this way include:

Pool noodles
Inflatable floaties and tubes
Goggles
Inflatable water slides
Frisbees and diving toys
Beach balls
Water guns
Kickboards
Basketball hoops or volleyball nets
Coolers

Summer Pool Maintenance Tips

Basic pool maintenance is part of owning a pool. While it’s a wonderful luxury, keeping it in good condition requires effort. Learn the essentials of testing pool water and tips for keeping a neat poolside area!

Water Quality Maintenance

Testing your water regularly is an integral part of caring for your swimming pool and your health. Balanced pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels are essential for maintaining healthy pool water. During the summer season, it’s recommended to check pH and chlorine levels two to three times a week and alkalinity once a week.

The ideal pH range is 7.4 to 7.6—if it’s too low, it can lead to corrosive water, and if it’s too high, it can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine. Chlorine disinfects the pool by killing harmful algae and bacteria, so it’s important to maintain it within the ideal range of 1.0 to 3.0 parts per million.

At the same time, alkalinity stabilizes pH levels, with an ideal range of 80 to 120 parts per million. You can check all these levels using specific test strips or liquid testing kits.

Poolside Area Maintenance

Taking care of your pool involves more than just cleaning tools and maintaining water quality. Keeping the poolside clean and organized is essential for swimmers’ safety—you don’t want anyone tripping over towels or discarded toys. Here are some tips for keeping a clutter-free poolside and suggestions on where to store those items:

Use an empty planter to collect pool debris until it can be disposed of properly.
Invest in a waterproof deck box to store extra towels, toys, and deflated items, such as floaties.
Place hooks on the fence near the pool to hang drying towels, tote bags, and swimsuit covers.
Hang pole hooks on the fence or out of the way to keep your skimmer and nets off the ground.
Consider installing a privacy fence to conceal the pool pump, heater, and filter.

Keep Your Pool Equipment Organized With Metro Self Storage

Maintaining a pool isn’t too tricky when you establish a routine. By conducting regular pool maintenance, cleaning around the poolside, and using storage for extra accessories, you’ll enjoy a stress-free swimming season and offseason!

Metro Self Storage offers affordable self storage units for customers across the country. Use our storage unit size guide to find the ideal storage unit for your pool equipment, accessories, and other household clutter. Explore our storage locations to find one closest to you today, or contact us online for more information.