Best Pool Tile Cleaner: Ultimate Guide for Algae Removal, Calcium Buildup & Hard Water Stains – DIY & Pro Pool Maintenance Tips

Your pool tiles are a magnet for gunk—algae, sunscreen sludge, calcium buildup, and mystery stains—turning your oasis into a science lab. Algae removal for pools requires targeted algaecide, not just chlorine, while calcium buildup on pool tiles demands acid-based cleaners (diluted muriatic acid works best). Sunscreen and body oils create a greasy film; removing sunscreen stains from pool tiles needs a degreaser, not a generic scrub. Hard water stains in pools? Citric acid or vitamin C paste breaks down metals. The best pool tile cleaner depends on the stain: enzymes for biofilm, oxidizers for organic gunk, and pumice stones (for plaster only) for scale. Avoid DIY pool tile cleaning mistakes like dry scrubbing (spreads grime) or using “all-purpose” sprays (they’re useless). Pool tile cleaning pros pre-soak stains, rinse thoroughly, and match tools to tile material (nylon brushes for glass, soft sponges for stone). For pool maintenance tips, test water weekly, clean tiles post-swim, and skip vinegar in hard water areas. Want professional pool cleaning secrets? Stain ID kits save guesswork, and robotic cleaners are overkill for vertical tiles. Bottom line: Stop treating all stains the same—your tiles aren’t dirty, they’re a crime scene. Attack with the right cleaner, or hire a pro before your pool becomes a petri dish.