Fallen leaves, bather wastes, and other pollutants are just some of the things that accumulate in swimming pools. Not to mention, the grime, calcium scale and scum build-up on the tiles and grout. As long as you’re watchful of these nasty elements and diligent in its upkeep, your pool will always be clean and safe.

While you can get cleaning supplies from your pool equipment dealers, there are items you can source from your own household such as vinegar, borax, baking soda, dish soap, and toothpaste. You can use any of these materials if the dirt and grime is minimal.

If there’s significant, dirt however, it may be time to get some serious work done and wear your rubber gloves.

1. Use a tile scrubber with handle and pool tile cleaner. Apply a small amount of the cleaner on the scrub.
2. Rub the scrubber back and forth on the water line.
3. Calcium scale builds up where water and air meet. To make sure this doesn’t happen to your pool, clean the tiles once a week.
4. Don’t use stiff scrubbers and brushes because they may harm the texture of your tile and grout.
5. If there’s existing calcium build-up, brush it with pumice stone and cleaner. When you have successfully removed it, use the tile brush again with cleaner agent.

Remember that the more you use the pool, more dirt builds up; hence, the need for regular cleaning. The tiles may not be the first thing on your mind when caring for your swimming pool, but keeping them clean is just as important as your other pool maintenance tasks.

People who use swimming caps for the purpose of keeping their hair dry when swimming could only get frustrated because no swimming cap can entirely do this. But swimming caps are very useful for many other reasons such as the following:

– To keep your long hair out of your face.

– To protect your hair from swimming pool chemicals.

– To swim faster in swimming competitions.

– To keep the head warm in the cold pool water.

– To make you more visible when swimming in open water especially where there are boats and surfers.

Here are the different types of swimming caps:

Latex Swim Caps

Latex swimming caps are accessible and reasonably priced, which is why they’re very popular among swimmers. However, although they provide good protection, they can irritate those who are allergic to latex, giving them ear rashes and swelling. When this happens, a swimmer should opt for swim caps made from other materials.

Silicone Swim Caps

Silicone is created for swimmers with latex allergies and ideal for those with medium to small heads who sport short hair. They’re also quite popular because of their attractive designs and colors.

Silicone caps are more resilient and can last a year of usage, consequently making it quite more expensive than a latex swim caps. Their durability, however, is a value that most are willing to pay for.

Polyester and Lycra Swim Caps

Polyester and Lycra swimming caps are not watertight, making it really impossible for the hair not to get wet. These are perfect for swimmers who simply need lightweight caps that prevents the hair from getting on their face or getting tangled in their goggles.

Polyester and Lycra swim caps can also be used as a base under another cap, like latex. This way, the swimmer can avoid getting allergies and their hair can stay in place without being pulled by the latex cap.

Swimming pool facilities require swimmers to wear caps to keep the filters from being clogged with hair. No matter what the purpose is for wearing one, it’s important to know the different types of swim caps to know which one to purchase.

Enthralled by the infants you see swimming in TV shows and documentaries? Well, the sight of swimming babies is not unusual especially now when moms are provided with so much opportunities for their children’s early development.

Benefits of Swimming for Babies

Here are just some of the many reasons why babies should be taught how to swim at a very young age.

– Learning how to swim will keep children safe from drowning in rivers, pools, and ponds. If you have a swimming pool at home, better teach the children how to use it instead of barricading the pool to keep them from falling into it.

– Swimming is a good way to let your baby exercise.

– It’s a fun activity that helps infants develop their gross motor skills.

– Swim classes help strengthen the bond between infants and their mothers.

– Swimming skills can prevent babies from being afraid of water especially when they have someone in the pool with them that they trust.

When can babies start to learn how to swim?

Private swimming classes take in babies as young as four weeks old but most swimming instructors recommend that infants start at six weeks. It’s recommended that the pool be heated up to 32 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, baby swim classes make sure to use special warm pools.

Baby swimming classes are usually held in small pools where teachers make sure that their students are relaxed and having fun. In these classes, teachers take advantage of the baby’s natural reflexes—it’s said that they are born with the primitive ability to swim. It’s natural for infants to hold their breath underwater instinctively because of their gag reflex, which is strongest at six months.

As the baby becomes more confident in the water, he starts developing skills that allows him to move around and swim happily in the pool.

Baby and Pool Safety

– Keeping the swimming pool warm enough is very important. When you notice him shaking, get him out of the pool right away and cover him up to keep him warm.

– Don’t go swimming if your baby is feverish or has a tummy bug. Let him be clear until at least after 2 days.

– Gradually increase the time the child spends in the pool. Start with 10 minutes then increase up to 20 minutes. The maximum time a child should spend in the pool is 30 minutes, especially if he hasn’t reached his first year yet.

Baby and Chlorine

Parents often ask about the effects of swimming pool chemicals on babies. Studies show that heavily chlorinated pools are believed to cause allergies and asthma among children. However, baby swim classes are usually held in small swimming pools that don’t need to be heavily treated. Children can eventually move to bigger pools when they become less at risk with chlorine. They may even ask you to get a kiddie pool!