If you only do one thing for your pool each week, make it brushing. It's the cheapest, most effective way to prevent algae — and the step most pool owners skip. Here's how often to brush, where algae hides, and the technique pool professionals use.
The Short Answer: Once a Week, Minimum
Brush your pool walls, steps, and corners at least once a week during swimming season. Brush two to three times a week if you've recently had an algae problem, after heavy rain or storms, when water temperature climbs in mid-summer, or if your pool gets heavy use.
Why Brushing Matters More Than You Think
Algae doesn't start as green water — it starts as an invisible biofilm clinging to your pool's surfaces. Chlorine struggles to penetrate this film once it's established. Brushing physically breaks it apart and exposes it to your sanitizer, stopping the bloom before you ever see it. Regular brushing means you spend less on chemicals, your filter works less, and you almost never face the dreaded green pool.
Don't Miss These Spots
Algae loves areas with poor water circulation. Pay extra attention to steps and ledges, corners and tight curves, behind ladders, the waterline (where oils and dirt collect), and shaded areas of the pool. An angled brush such as the Brustec 15° Pool and Window Scrub Brush is designed precisely for these awkward spots — the angled head keeps full bristle contact on curves, steps, and corners where a flat brush only touches with its edge.
The Right Technique
Work from the shallow end toward the deep end, brushing downward toward the main drain so debris moves where your circulation system can capture it. Use firm, overlapping strokes. After brushing, let particles settle for 30–60 minutes, then follow up with a manual vacuum like the Delta Wing Vacuum to remove what you've knocked loose. Brushing plus vacuuming is the one-two punch of pool maintenance — we cover the full vacuuming process in our step-by-step pool vacuuming guide.
Match the Brush to Your Pool Surface
Nylon-bristle brushes are safe for all pool types, including vinyl liners, fiberglass, and painted surfaces. Stainless steel bristles should only be used on concrete or gunite pools. When in doubt, choose nylon — it cleans effectively without scratching.
A 10-Minute Habit That Saves Your Summer
Ten minutes of brushing a week prevents the algae bloom that takes days and a small fortune in chemicals to fix. Stock up on the right tools in our pool cleaning collection — free shipping on orders over $49.
