A sparkling pool is the ultimate summer luxury, but keeping it that way takes more than just chlorine and a skimmer. One wrong item in the water can lead to murky chemistry, costly damage, or even dangerous situations.
Whether you’re a backyard pool owner or just enjoying access to a neighborhood swim club, knowing what not to let near the water is just as important as remembering your sunscreen.
Here are six common items you should never let anywhere near your pool—and why doing so could cost you more than just your weekend plans.
1. Household Cleaners: Not All Chemicals Are Pool-Friendly
It might be tempting to grab your go-to cleaning products when your pool looks a little grimy. But household cleaners like bleach, ammonia, or even vinegar can wreak havoc on your pool’s delicate chemical balance. They can trigger unexpected chemical reactions, damage your liner or tile, and release harmful fumes when mixed with pool chlorine.
Expert consensus is clear: pool-specific products are formulated to work with chlorine, pH levels, and filtration systems. Stick with those. Seemingly budget-saving pool hacks that use household cleaners can really sink your wallet when they cause costly damage to your pool or equipment. Leave the indoor cleaners indoors—and preferably locked away from curious kids.
2. Glassware: A Hidden Hazard Beneath the Surface
Sipping cocktails by the pool? Go for unbreakable cups. Glass items may feel elegant, but one little slip and a shattered glass could turn your pool into a hard-to-fix safety hazard. Broken glass is nearly invisible underwater, making it a total nightmare to clean and a major danger to bare feet. Trust us… you’ll be wondering for days if you got it all, or if there’s a foot slicer hiding somewhere in the shallow end (even if you’re using one of our recommended pool cleaners, that’s still stress you just don’t need and can easily and cheaply avoid).
Fortunately, today’s plastic and melamine options are stylish, durable, and eco-friendly. Stock up on reusable outdoor dishware and save yourself from a potential pool shutdown.
3. Bath Products: Your Pool or Hot Tub Is Not a Giant Bathtub
Bringing bubbles or bath bombs into the pool might sound and look fun on TikTok, but in real life, it’s a recipe for disaster. Bath soaps, shampoos, and bubble baths can clog filters, foam up the water, and completely destabilize water chemistry.
Plus, it’s way harder to clean up suds than you’d think. Keep the self-care rituals in the tub where they belong. After a good swim, a real bath will feel even better.
4. Food Coloring and Dyes: Festive, Delightful, and SO Much Fun… Until It’s Permanent
Thinking of dyeing your pool water for a party? Don’t. Seriously, full stop: don’t do it. While it might seem like a fun photo op, food coloring and synthetic dyes can easily stain the pool liner, plaster, or grout—and some stains may never come out. If you’re looking for a gender reveal that never, ever goes away, this is one effective way to go about it.
These substances can also throw off chemical levels, leading to cloudy water or algae blooms.
Stick with colorful floaties, LED lights, or pool-safe decor to liven things up—without ruining your investment.
5. Metal Objects: Small Coins, Big Problems
It’s a classic pool game—diving for coins. But metals and chlorinated water are a bad mix. Metals can corrode in the water, leaving unsightly stains on pool surfaces or damaging the filtration system. One missed penny could result in a rusty stain that never goes away. Even pool ladders and railings can suffer if not made from corrosion-resistant materials.
Encourage kids to dive for soft rubber toys or plastic rings made just for these kinds of games instead. Your pool (and your wallet) will thank you.
6. Electronics: Just Don’t Do It
You probably know this, but it bears repeating: no phones, cameras, tablets, or other electronics should go near the pool—especially in it. Aside from the obvious water damage, there’s a real risk of electrical shock if a device is plugged in nearby.
Water and electricity don’t mix. Use this as your guilt-free excuse to unplug, relax, and enjoy the moment. Your pool day will be better—and safer—for it.
One exception to this rule would be certain devices made specifically for pool and ocean use, such as some underwater-capable digital cameras. But even then… be careful! That waterproof camera won’t be nearly so waterproof if you accidentally leave the battery door or memory slot slightly ajar when you cannonball.
Bottom Line: Respect the Pool, Protect the Fun
Keeping your pool clean, safe, and functional isn’t hard—but it does mean knowing what to keep far away from it. From harsh chemicals to party props gone wrong, a little prevention can go a long way toward keeping your summer stress-free.
When in doubt, ask yourself: “Would I put this in my drinking water?” If the answer is no, it’s probably not pool-friendly either.
