Do It Yourself 1. Clean the pool yourself. Hiring a pool cleaner is costly, research how and add it to your to-do list! 2. Purchase an at home water testing kit. 3. Keep on top of things. Stick to a routine and maintain your pool. 4. Shock your pool regularly. If you are lax then your pool may turn cloudy or green. 5. Open and close your pool yourself. Save yourself a few hundred dollars each year by taking the time to do this important project yourself. Save Energy 6. Use a pool cover. Covers prevent evaporation and raise the standing temperature of your pool, saving your heater the work. 7. Invest in a solar cover. These covers use sun rays to heat your pool. 8. Keep a cooler pool (or heat strategically). Use your pool heater sparingly. 9. Invest in an energy efficient pump. Over its lifetime certain pumps can save you up to 90% on your electricity bill each season. 10. Only run your filter when necessary. Filtering overnight may be enough, which will allow you to avoid peak usage hours. 11. Turn off the water features. Don’t let jets and waterfalls run when no one is there to enjoy them. 12. Change up your backyard. Shade can cool your pool and wind can hasten evaporation. Consider removing sources of shade or adding something to block wind. Save Water 13. Don’t refill your pool right away. As long as you keep water above the skimmer weir you don’t need a pool that’s fully full. 14. Sweep around your pool instead of using water to was your pools surround. 15. Try not to splash. Take Care of Your Tools 16. Store your vacuum head correctly. Hang it to avoid flattening the bristles. 17. Clean off your winter cover. Remove standing water and debris to prolong its use. 18. Beware of over-cleaning. Use Creative Solutions 19. Throw tennis balls in your pool. Let them float and they’ll absorb oils left by swimmers. 20. Baking soda. Handy for making small adjustments to your pool’s alkalinity. 21. Make your own cleaning products. Use hydrogen peroxide, borax and baking soda to make natural cleaners to help you scrub the sides of your pool and your pool deck. 22 Collect debris with netting. 23. Keep bugs away with lemongrass. 24. Don’t let your dog in the pool. Dogs will track hair and debris into the pool, plus chlorine can irritate your dog’s skin. 25. Buy pool chemicals early and in bulk.