A pool cleaning service costs around $86 per month for weekly service. Winterizing your pool costs around $95, on average, and inspecting it for problems costs around $75. Ultimately, the cost will depend on the size of your pool as well as the materials, chemicals and service needed. 

To get a more accurate estimate, contact several pool cleaners in your area and ask for price quotes.

It will cost around $1,032 per year for a weekly pool cleaning service. This price will increase for one-time services, ranging between $150 and $300. This is why it’s generally a good idea to find a pool cleaning company that can do lower-priced weekly maintenance. Ultimately, the cost you pay will vary by your pool’s size, the chemicals needed and the type of service you request.

Hiring a professional pool cleaner in your area has many advantages. For one, the service saves you time and effort. A pool cleaner can also detect potential problems early on before they become expensive fixes down the road.

The pool expert can give you advice on things you can do to better maintain your pool, and your swimming pool may retain its value longer.

You can hire a pool cleaner by searching for professionals near you online. Pool cleaning services will range from small businesses to larger companies, so to help you narrow down your search, base your decisions on customer reviews, ratings, customer-uploaded photos and conversations you have with the pool cleaners. Contact at least three different pool cleaners to compare their prices (ask for free cost estimates). And make sure to check licensing requirements in your state to ensure whoever you choose has the proper credentials.

The best way to clean your pool is to hire a professional for regular service. Oftentimes, signing up for regular, ongoing services will drop the per-visit cost significantly. 

Basic pool cleaning services will include skimming off debris, leaves and other materials that have made it into the pool. It will also likely include cleaning the pool’s walls, vacuuming debris from the bottom and making sure the pump and filter are in good shape. A pool cleaner can also test the water and add chemicals as needed.

For more helpful tips, read our easy pool maintenance guide.

The main categories of pool chemicals include sanitizers, oxidizers, water balancers, and specialty chemicals. Sanitizers (like chlorine and bromine) disinfect pool water. Oxidizers are a second type of sanitizing chemical meant to kill bacteria and algae. Water balancers keep the pH (acidity) level of the water in the correct place, as well as maintain the proper “hardness” — that is, levels of calcium and other elements. Other specialty chemicals include clarifiers, flocculant, algaecides and more.

If you don’t know how to properly use pool cleaning chemicals, consider hiring a professional pool cleaner to help you maintain your pool.

For more helpful tips, read our easy pool maintenance guide.

The ideal schedule for pool cleaning is at least once per week. This schedule provides the ideal balance of not allowing problems to grow while still making each cleaning worth it. Weekly pool cleaning also helps you avoid expensive repairs in the future. By spot-cleaning when needed, such as skimming leaves and debris out of the pool or scrubbing away an algae spot, you can keep your pool in prime condition. It’s also recommended that you schedule a pool cleaning after any unusual scenarios, including hot weather, a pool party or a pet jumping in the pool.

For more helpful tips, read our easy pool maintenance guide.

The time it takes to clean a swimming pool depends heavily on the pool’s condition and size. Pools that receive regular weekly cleaning should take less time to clean, even if the cleaning includes skimming, scrubbing, applying chemicals and vacuuming. However, if you’re just opening your pool for the season, the process may take longer. 

When searching for pool cleaners near you and gathering cost estimates, ask them how long they expect each cleaning will take.

If you want to get an automatic pool cleaner to supplement your regular service, your best bet might be a higher-end unit. But ultimately, the best one for you will depend on your budget and needs. 

You can choose from pressure-side pool cleaners, which can remove leaves, twigs and other objects from the bottom and sides of your pool. Or, consider a suction-side pool cleaner, which tends to be more budget-friendly. And there are robotic pool cleaners that do everything automatically. Robotic cleaners are typically the most expensive and most effective option.

For more helpful tips, read our easy pool maintenance guide.