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First, you need to know what kind of filter you have, you can check in your owner’s manual

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Guide to Clean a Cartridge Filter:

1: Turn off the pump and open the air relief valve

Turn off the pump and make sure to remove anything in the timer that could make the pump turn back on again, so it doesn't unexpectedly restart mid-cleaning

2: Open the filter and remove the cartridge inside

Start by carefully loosening the mechanism that holds everything together, then take off the top filter - but don't forget to consult your owner’s manual first. Next, check for any cracks or damages that could require some new parts like O-Ring or Cartridge – quality control is key here!

3: Clean the Cartridge

Give your pool filter cartridge the deep clean it deserves! Grab a spray nozzle and give it a good rinse-off, this will get rid of all those pesky algae, sunscreen, iron build-up, and other nasty contaminants.

If you haven’t done any cleaning in a while, an overnight soak is key to really removing everything hidden away between its pleats. Soaking with either some special cleaner or diluted muriatic acid should do the trick, you can dilute one part of muriatic acid in 15-30 parts of water – just make sure that they are fully submerged in solution when using big buckets for maximum effectiveness!

4: Replace the cartridge and close the air relief valve

Return the cartridge to its rightful place, and keep it snug by ensuring all clamps are firmly closed. Now get your system running again - don't forget to open that air relief valve! Wait for a steady stream of water before closing it; if something's not quite right you may have put things back incorrectly. Try again following your owner’s manual.

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Guide to clean a D.E. Filter

1: Backwash the filter:

Start by shutting down the pump and setting your multiport valve on "backwash." Hook up the backwashing hose and let the water run for about 2 minutes or until the water is coming out clear, then turn off that pump and open the air relief, last take the drain plug out while letting all the water drain away

2: Open the filter and clean

Unlatch the filter, then peek inside to find what lies beneath. It's like opening a treasure chest - then remove the filter manifold, and last take out the grids. Refer to your owner’s manual for help

Start by giving it a thorough rinse using your garden hose's spray nozzle to blast away any built-up dirt or D.E. powder particles.

If your filter manifold is still looking bad use a D.E filter cleaner (always check your owner’s manual). Otherwise, go pro: put on those safety goggles and acid-resistant gloves, stir up some muriatic acid diluted in water (1 part per 20) then place the manifold into the mixture overnight.

3: Put everything back in place

Give one final rinse with your garden hose to the tank and the manifold before putting it back into place. When everything is snugly secured use those clamps to keep all the pieces together! If you need help making sure that tight seal, just check your owner's manual—it'll have all of the answers.

4: Last step, add D.E. powder

Don't get D.E.-ficient - make sure to consult the manual for correct measurements! Just mix up a slurry that's thin, creamy, and smooth like ice cream then pour it into your pool skimmer with the pump running. Now sit back and relax as the magic of D.E.'s powers spread across all filter grids over 30 minutes or so!

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Guide to clean a Sand Filter

1: Backwash filter

Start by shutting down the pump and setting your multiport valve on "backwash." Hook up the backwashing hose and turn the pump on and let the water run for about 2 minutes or until it comes out clear.

Signs to know when it’s necessary to backwash: Watch the pressure levels in your sand filter and if it exceeds 10 psi, you know what to do - backwash away! Also, keep an eye out for cloudy water as this could be another sign that it's time to clean the filter with chemicals at least once a year.

2: Adding the Cleaning solution to the Filter

Turn off your pump and set the valve back to “Filter”. Then remove the pump’s lid by turning it counterclockwise and add filter cleaning solution into the pump basket. Replace the pump’s lid and turn it clockwise to secure it in place, and turn on the pump for a few seconds so that the cleaning solution gets sucked into the filter, then turn off the pump and let it sit overnight.

3: Backwash filter one more time

Last, backwash your filter for a few minutes to let all the dirt and debris can be thrown out. Then set it to “filter”.

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Why do I Need to Clean my Pool Filter?

Keeping your pool filter in tip-top shape is a must for all swimmers! Did you know that by using suntan lotion, deodorant, and other chemicals while swimming can reduce the lifespan of your filter almost by half? Maintaining good habits will make sure to keep any debris or dirt out of the water – not only so it’s more pleasant to swim in but also because dirty water can be dangerous. That's why cleaning and maintaining its highest performance should never be forgotten; with proper care, you'll have healthy bacteria-free waters making it even safer - now go on and enjoy your pool.

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How long does a pool filter last?

Swimmers, it's important to know when your pool needs a filter update. Cartridge filters can stay clean and running for up 2 years with proper maintenance while sand filters have the potential of lasting 3-5 years.

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Here’s more information about Pool filters