What is the most vinyl friendly way to winterize a vinyl lined pool? It is fairly simple. Use the absolute minimum amount of chemicals that will allow the desired affect. Do not shock your pool using Trichlor (hypochlorite is safer) and circulate the pool water for 72 hours before shutting down.

Remember: The act of closing your pool is creating a closed environment. The more chemicals you use the more severe that environment will be. Do not chlorinate thinking you are doing good. Less is best when adding chemicals to your vinyl lined pool.

Never add chemicals directly to the pool. Dilute them first in a bucket of water and add them to the pool by pouring them into the skimmer while the circulation system is on.

Circulate the pool water for a full 72 hours after the final addition of chemicals is added. Even liquid chlorine can concentrate in the deep end and cause bleaching of the liner.

The chlorine level should not exceed 2.0ppm.

Do not lower the water below the skimmer. Place a Gizzmo or a weighted plastic milk carton in the skimmer to protect it from freeze damage. Once a pool has been filled with water, the liner begins to lose its stretching properties: therefore, the pool should be kept full of water at all times. The water acts as a protector for the liner and holds the liner in its proper position thus eliminating any re-stretching and drying out of the vinyl. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations concerning the winterizing of the pump and filter.

Use a good fitting winter cover that is sealed around the entire perimeter of the pool. An uncovered pool which accumulates debris, such as leaves and worms risk the potential of staining or bleaching of the liner, since the debris absorbs the chlorine in the pool.

Do not use abrasive cleaning aids, ie; steel wool, sharp bristled brushes, scouring pads, etc. We recommend using alkaline base cleaning agents for cleaning the area above the water line. Acid base chemicals can leave a residue which causes the vinyl to dry out.