Cleaning paddling pool

[LadyBitterSparkles]

I've just been out to investigate the DC's paddling pool as it's finally sunny here after all the rain, and in a word it's minging. Full of algae and slime, I guess because it has been left out for 2 weeks.

What's the best way of cleaning it, and anything I can use to stop it happening again? Thanks!

Use a sieve to strain out as much of the gunk as possible. Get a bottle of plain, thin, unfragranced bleach and pour it in this evening. Stir well. Stir up the water a few times over the next few hours. The bleach works best at night, as sunlight breaks it down. My paddling pool is 2.5m by 0.5m deep, and 24h later (if it has been sunny), the pool is safe to use again. If your pool is smaller or tomorrow is not sunny, then give it another 24h for the bleach to break down.

If you're going to empty the pool, either empty it onto down the drain or onto non-soil (eg patio, driveway) or wait another 24h after the water is safe to swim in, by which time it should be safe to pour out onto soil/grass/flowerbeds.

Alternatively, if it's a very small pool, empty it out, scrub it down with diluted bleach and leave it in the sun to dry before refilling with fresh water.

It's quite big so I'm going to get the big bits of green out then try some bleach. Thanks!