Salt cell accumulates limescale and hard mineral deposits if it’s not cleaned periodically. Find out How to Clean Salt Cell with Vinegar below!
A salt cell is an integral part of the pool sanitization system. With time, hard water deposits gathered in this device, reducing its working capacity. That’s why learn How to Clean Salt Cell with Vinegar below!
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What Is Salt Cell?
The salt cell is a filtering system that changes the salt into chlorine using the electrolysis technique in a swimming pool. It’s divided into two components: cell and control board. A salt generator reduces the possibility of pool equipment corrosion and bleaching of swimsuits. However, ensure the salt concentration of your pool water must be between 2,500 to 4,000 ppm to keep the water fresh and clean.
Common names of the salt cell are:
- Chlorine generator
- Salt chlorinator
- Salt generator
How Does a Salt Cell Work?
When the salt water flows through the metallic plates of the salt cell, the electrolysis technique passes a low-voltage electric current through the plates that create hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite. These two agents help disinfect your pool.
Benefits of a Salt Cell
Before learning how to clean salt cell with vinegar, first understand its numerous benefits listed below.
- One of the major benefits of a salt chlorinator is that it makes pool maintenance easy, quick, and cost-effective.
- Salt generators save you money by eliminating the need for expensive chlorine tablets to sanitize the pool water.
- With salt cells, you can easily control your pool’s chlorine levels by pressing a single button.
- Thanks to the salt generator system, the pool water produces less chlorine odor than conventional chlorinated pools.
- The salt filter system eliminates the need for frequent monitoring of chlorine levels as it automatically keeps them constant.
- Compared to chlorinated swimming pools, salt cell-installed pool water is gentle on your skin, eyes, and hair.
How to Clean Salt Cell With Vinegar?
Over time, calcium and hard water minerals build up inside the salt cell, which hinders its efficiency, thereby causing various health issues to swimmers. That’s why it’s necessary to check the cell and clean it periodically using the cost-effective vinegar method. This hack is best for cleaning a ‘Hayward’ and ‘Jandy’ salt cell.
Supplies
- White Distilled Vinegar
- High-Pressure Nozzle
Directions
- First, switch off the salt cell and unplug it from the power source.
- Now, detach the cell for further inspection. If you find mineral deposits on its filters having a white, dry, and flaky appearance, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, put it back on and check it after a month.
- Next, close one side of the salt cell (cord side) with a cap.
- Then, fill it completely with white distilled vinegar and put the cell into an empty bucket.
- Leave the device for 24 hours, allowing the solution to do its work.
- After that, empty the cell and rinse it with a high-pressure nozzle for a couple of minutes.
- In the end, re-connect the salt cell to its original location.
Why is Vinegar Effective?
Thanks to white vinegar’s mild acidic properties, it can easily take off the calcium, limescale, and other tough buildups from the pool salt cell. That’s why vinegar is the cheapest and easy-to-do method to clean salt cell.
Other Best Way to Clean Salt Cell
Muriatic Acid Salt Cell Cleaning Solution
Cleaning a salt cell with muriatic acid is the best solution because of its potent acidic properties.
Supplies
- 5 Parts Water
- 1 Part Muriatic Acid
- A Bucket
- Cell Stand
Directions
- Combine 8 cups of water and a cup of muriatic acid in a bucket (Add acid to water, not water to acid).
- Screw the salt cell from the cord end into the cleaning stand.
- Next, fill the device with the chemical solution till full.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the foaming action.
- Once it’s done, transfer the solution into the bucket.
- After that, clean the salt cell with a high-pressure garden hose.
- In the end, unscrew the device from the cell stand and re-attach the cell back to its location.
Precautions
Before you clean the salt cell with vinegar or muriatic acid, read the below precautions carefully.
- Always wear protective gear such as good quality hand gloves, a face mask, goggles, and shoes.
- Make sure to clean the salt cell on a bi-weekly basis.
- As muriatic acid is corrosive, use this cleaning solution less often.
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