How To Clean A Pool Salt Cell

More and more pools these days are being installed with salt chlorine generators for sanitation reasons. Saltwater pools are a common choice in Arizona, as they are softer on the skin and require less maintenance. Use our DIY guide below to clean your pool’s salt water cell.

Cleaning A Salt Cell

By automatically producing chlorine, it’s the salt cell’s responsibility to consistently sanitize the pool. However, it is not true that these cells have no maintenance needs.

Pool owners need to inspect the salt cell once every 3-6 months, depending on how often the pool is used. Some cells will feature an indicator light telling you when an inspection is needed. Clean the cell in the event of a calcium build-up on the blades inside the cell.

A Salinity Cell Cleaner is specifically designed for cleaning salt cells in saltwater pools. This cleaner helps to remove calcium build-up, which ultimately impacts the performance of your salt chlorinator. Follow our guide below to properly clean the cell.

How To Clean Pool Salt Cell

Be mindful that each manufacturer will sell their own cap or plug separately for salt cell cleaning purposes. Make sure you have the proper cap or plug at this time. Follow the cleaning steps below.

Step 1: Turn your pump off completely.

Step 2: Remove the cell at the unions, unplugging it from the power supply.

Step 3: Pour cell cleaner over the fins inside the cell to cover them.

Step 4: The solution will then bubble up to break apart the calcium for the next 20 minutes or so.

Step 5: Discard this solution by safely returning it to the pool.

Step 6: Rinse the cell with a hose.

Step 7: Reattach the cell at the unions and plug it back into the power source.

Step 8: Turn the pump back on.

Step 9: If applicable, reset the inspection indicator.