How to Remove Iron Stains from Swimming Pools

Iron is the most common type of metal/mineral staining in pools. So odds are good you'll run into brown rust stains in your pool. In this how-to, we show you how you can remove them fast as well as how to prevent them in the future.

At a Glance

4

Steps

25

minute(s)

Easy

Difficulty

Step-by-Step

Step

1

Lower chlorine to 1.0 ppm

Lower your chlorine reading to less than 1.0 ppm by either using chlorine neutralizer or abstaining from adding your sanitizer for a few days.

Step

2

Lower Total Alkalinity (Optional)

Lower your Total Alkalinity by using one (1) bottle of No Mor Muriatic Acid™ per 20,000 gallons. You can add more as necessary. You can also use regular liquid muriatic acid.

Step

3

Add Pool Stain Treat®

Add one (1) bottle of Pool Stain Treat® per 20,000 gallons of pool water.

Step

4

Brush

After 5-10 minutes brush the walls of the pool. One good brush over the wall should be fine.

What You’ll Need

Pool Stain Treat®
No Mor Muriatic Acid™
Chlorine Neutralizer (sodium thiosulfate) (Optional)
Brush Attachment

Extra Tips

For colored plaster, painted fiberglass, exposed aggregate pools you will need to dissolve Pool Stain Treat® in a bucket of water first before pouring it into the swimming pool to prevent discoloration.
For widespread staining, dissolve Pool Stain Treat® in a bucket of water and pour around the pool. This will help give an even finish.
If your pH is above 7.2, you can go ahead and let your system run. Otherwise, turn off your pump until your raise your pH to at least 7.2.
Lower your Total Alkalinity relative to your water hardness according to the Hamilton Index™
Avoid shocking more than necessary. Shocking can lead to metals dropping out of the water and staining.
When using a non-liquid balancing chemical (such as pH increaser or granular acid), dissolve it first and pour it around the pool. This will minimize chances of metal staining.
Consider using a preventative stain treatment such as Pool Stain Treat® to keep stains from returning.

Still need help?

Still have questions? Need an expert’s advice? Visit our support center for additional documentation and to open a ticket with a Pool Technician.

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