Choosing the Right Pool Chemicals for Winter post thumbnail
September 17, 2025 Mari Zabel 0 Comments

Thinking about closing your pool for the season? It’s not as simple as tossing on a cover and calling it done. Choosing the right pool chemicals for winter is one of the most important steps to keeping your pool water clear, balanced, and safe until spring. Whether you have an inground pool, an above ground pool, or a saltwater system, using the correct winter chemicals for swimming pools makes all the difference.

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Why Pool Chemicals Matter When Closing for Winter

Closing your pool without chemicals is like putting food in the fridge without sealing it. It might survive the winter, but it won’t be pretty when you open it up again. Pool water that’s left untreated can become cloudy, grow algae, or even damage your pool surface and plumbing.

The right winter chemicals for pool care prevent all that. They keep the water balanced, clear, and protected from bacteria, algae, and freezing damage. If you’re wondering what chemicals to put in pool for winter, we’ve got a full list coming up.

Essential Chemicals to Close Pool for Winter

Here’s what most pools need when prepping for the off-season:

  • Algaecide: A key part of any winter chemical kit for pool owners. Choose a non-foaming formula that suits your pool type, especially when selecting winter chemicals for salt water pool systems.
  • Pool shock: Whether chlorine or non-chlorine, shocking your pool before closing it sanitizes the water and gives you a clean starting point for winter.
  • Pool antifreeze: If your region drops below freezing, this helps protect your plumbing and pipes.
  • pH balancers and stabilizers: These prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and damage to liners or plaster.
  • Enzyme treatments: Optional but helpful, enzymes break down contaminants and keep the water clear all winter.

What Chemicals Do You Put in Pool When Closing for Winter?

It depends on your pool type and setup. Winter chemicals for above ground pool systems may differ slightly from those needed for large inground systems, but the essentials are mostly the same. If you’re unsure what chemicals are needed to close a pool for winter, our advice is simple: don’t guess. Use trusted products and follow dosing guidelines based on pool volume.

For above ground pools, make sure the water is clean and properly circulated before adding any winter chemicals. You’ll want to use chemicals needed to close above ground pool for winter just like you would an inground one, but be sure to double-check your cover and support structure, especially if snow or ice is expected.

Mistakes to Avoid With Pool Chemicals for Winter

  • Overdosing: More is not better. Too many chemicals can throw off the water balance and damage surfaces.
  • Underusing: Skipping steps or going too light on chemicals could lead to green water or corrosion.
  • Skipping water tests: Always test before adding anything. Knowing what chemicals go in pool for winter starts with knowing your water’s current state.
  • Improper storage: Store leftover winter pool chemicals for covered pool use in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight degrades them fast.

Do I Need to Add Chemicals in Pool for Winter?

Yes, absolutely. Even if your pool is covered and not in use, you still need to treat the water. Do I need to put chemicals in pool for winter? Yes. What chemicals do you put in a pool for winter? The same ones listed above, adjusted to fit your specific pool’s needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but skipping chemicals altogether will likely lead to problems in the spring.

Leave the Winter Chemicals to the Pros

If managing your own pool closing feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. From figuring out what chemicals to close pool for winter to physically applying them, it’s a lot of work. That’s why we offer professional pool closing services to make things easy. We’ll handle the water testing, chemical balancing, equipment drainage, and cover installation, so you don’t have to worry about what kind of chemicals to close pool for winter or how to apply them.

Serving Northern VA, DC, and Maryland

Great Falls Pools proudly serves homeowners throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland, including McLean, Great Falls, Falls Church, Vienna, Burke, Oakton, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, Arlington, Herndon, Sterling, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Northwest DC, and Potomac MD.

Let us take care of your pool this season. Reach out to schedule your service or ask a question about your winter chemical kit for pool care. Contact us today.

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