How to Close Your Saltwater Swimming Pool This Winter
As the cooler months arrive, many Australian pool owners start using their pool less frequently. However, your pool still needs proper care during winter to prevent algae growth, equipment damage and expensive spring clean-ups. Whether you own a traditional saltwater swimming pool or a luxurious magnesium pool, taking the right steps before winter can save you time, money and effort later on.
If your pool uses a mineral system like Mineral Swim, winter maintenance can be even easier thanks to the natural water balance and softer swimming conditions these systems provide.
Why Winter Pool Care Matters
Even during winter, pool water can quickly become unbalanced due to rain, debris, cooler temperatures and reduced circulation. Neglecting your pool may lead to:
Algae outbreaks
Cloudy water
Mineral scaling
Damaged equipment
Difficult spring start-ups
Proper winterisation helps maintain healthy water and protects your investment year-round.
For owners of a magnesium swimming pool, maintaining the mineral balance over winter also helps preserve the smooth, soft water feel that many families love.
Step 1: Thoroughly Clean the Pool
Before closing your pool for winter, start with a deep clean. This includes:
Skimming leaves and debris
Brushing walls and steps
Vacuuming the pool floor
Emptying skimmer baskets
Cleaning the filter system
A clean pool reduces the chance of algae growth and staining during winter. Many pool owners use a robotic pool cleaner to simplify this process before covering the pool.
Step 2: Balance Your Water Chemistry
Balancing your water chemistry is one of the most important parts of winter pool care.
For most saltwater swimming pool systems, recommended winter levels are:
pH: 7.2 to 7.6
Total alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
Calcium hardness: 180 to 400 ppm
Balanced water helps prevent corrosion, scale build-up, and cloudy water during the colder months.
If you own a magnesium pool, maintaining proper mineral levels is equally important. Mineral Swim recommends topping up your minerals before winter to help maintain sanitisation and water clarity.
Step 3: Add Minerals and Winter Chemicals
One of the major magnesium pool benefits is that mineral water can help create a more comfortable swimming experience with softer-feeling water that is gentler on skin and eyes.
Before winter, consider adding fresh minerals using products from Mineral Swim Dead Sea Minerals to maintain mineral levels and support healthy water throughout the off-season.
Depending on your climate and pool setup, you may also choose to use:
Pool shock treatment
Winter algaecide
Scale prevention products
Many pool experts recommend shocking the pool several days before fully closing it to remove contaminants and organic matter.
Step 4: Reduce Filtration and Chlorinator Settings
In most parts of Australia, pools are not fully shut down like they are in colder countries. Instead, many owners reduce filtration and chlorinator run times during winter.
Most pool owners reduce filtration to around 4-6 hours per day to maintian water circulation.
This helps:
Reduce energy costs
Maintain water movement
Prevent stagnant water
Keep sanitiser levels stable
Some pool owners also lower their salt chlorinator output during winter because pools receive less sunlight and less swimmer use.
Step 5: Inspect and Protect Pool Equipment
Winter is a great time to inspect your pool equipment and ensure everything is working correctly.
Check:
Pumps
Filters
Chlorinators
Pool covers
Pipework
Pool cleaners
Clean filters thoroughly and inspect your chlorinator cell for mineral scaling. If you live in a colder region prone to frost, you may also need to drain water from equipment and plumbing lines to prevent freeze damage.
Step 6: Use a Pool Cover
A quality pool cover can make winter maintenance significantly easier.
Pool covers help:
Reduce debris entering the water
Minimise evaporation
Reduce algae growth
Maintain water temperature
Lower cleaning time
For magnesium swimming pool owners, a good cover can also help maintain mineral balance by reducing dilution from rainwater.
Step 7: Continue Basic Winter Maintenance
Even after closing your pool, occasional maintenance is still important.
Throughout winter:
Check water balance every few weeks
Remove debris from the cover
Empty baskets when needed
Monitor water level
Run the filtration system regularly
Many experienced pool owners recommend not completely ignoring the pool during winter, as regular small maintenance tasks are much easier than dealing with a green pool in spring.
Why More Australians Are Choosing Magnesium Pools
A magnesium pool has become increasingly popular in Australia thanks to the comfort and water quality benefits mineral systems provide.
Some commonly discussed magnesium pool benefits include:
Softer-feeling water
Reduced irritation to skin and eyes
Easier water balance
Lower chemical reliance
Enhanced swimming comfort
Systems like Mineral Swim use natural Dead Sea minerals to help create cleaner, healthier pool water all year round. With proper winter care, your pool can remain clear, balanced and ready for swimming once warmer weather returns.
Final Thoughts
Closing your saltwater or mineral swimming pool for winter does not have to be difficult. By cleaning the pool thoroughly, balancing the water, maintaining salt or mineral levels and reducing filtration correctly, you can protect your pool and make reopening much easier in spring.
Whether you own a traditional saltwater swimming pool or a modern magnesium swimming pool, consistent winter maintenance is the key to keeping your water crystal clear and your equipment running smoothly throughout the colder months.