After three years of testing, we've found the best floor pump for commuters and the best portable handheld pump. My advice for an inflatable pool goes something like this: If you want a relatively cheap way for your kids to splash around and cool off in your yard during the summer, an inflatable pool will do the job. Weve still bought one nearly every summer since we had kids. Inflatable pools quickly end up in the landfill, at least the kiddie kind, says senior editor Kalee Thompson. And because most portable pools dont last beyond the summer (whether thats because of rips and tears or just general grunginess), they often get chucked into the garbage. Because its relatively small, its easy to emptywhich is a daily necessity in the summer where my mom lives. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Looking for fun in the sun? Thats the resin identification code, which denotes the kind of plastic the item is made from. Until, of course, you realize that they can be kind of gross. Let it dry completely before you assess whether it should stay or go. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Vinyl patch kits are inexpensive and fairly easy to use, and they can breathe new life into a pool that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. With a hard plastic pool, youll also need the space to store it during the off-season, so this might not be the right option for every family. Would I recommend this particular pool? Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). We independently review everything we recommend. Little Tikes Slam n Curve Slide ($444 at the time of publication). But sometimes no amount of soap or DIY repairs can save a kiddie pool. But lower your expectations. Many crafty bloggers have shared ideas of all the things a plastic pool can be turned intosome creative projects crowdsourced on Recycle This include using panels of the vinyl to repair other inflatables, like pool toys, air mattresses, and bike tires. We usually fill the Intex in the morning, so the sun can warm up the pool water by afternoon. It is surprisingly easy to assemble and disassembleone parent can do it all alone, though the draining of the pool area is certainly easier with two sets of hands. Instead, youll need to ask your local waste management center if its recycling facility accepts PVC materials; if it does, you may need to drop the pool off at a collection center yourself. How to choose and use (and make) sprays, wipes, and a bleach-based solution to disinfect surfaces. The best way to keep your kiddie pool clean is to empty it at the end of every swim session. Inflatable kiddie pools can pose health risks. In order for the chlorine product to work and disinfect, the surface first needs to be as clean as possible., Senior staff writer Nancy Redds kids play in a Little Tikes Slam n Curve Slide, which remains inflated by the continuous airflow provided by a heavy-duty blower. All Rights Reserved. The CDC mentions that some state or local laws in your area may require fences or barriers around inflatable and plastic kiddie pools and slides. If improperly maintained, they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and bacteria. Play Day 120 Deluxe Family Pool ($42 at the time of publication). Go to your local hardware store and pay $20 for the hard plastic one with fish on it., Dont be afraid to think outside the, er, pool, either. The girls get in a few hours of play. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Quick and easy assembly time in less than 15 minutes, Maintenance kit includes tools to keep pool cleaning easy. Unlike a traditional swimming pool, a small inflatable pool doesnt have the benefit of chemically treated water or a pump filter that clears debris and keeps the water circulating. Most inflatable plastic kiddie pools are made of polyvinyl chloride, commonly referred to as PVC or vinyl, which can be really difficult to recycle. Last spring, we bought this deluxe (ha, nope) inflatable pool. Then reinflate the pool, and let it dry out for an hour or two before deflating it again and packing it away., Its important to keep your kids out of the pool if theyre feeling under the weather. Let us help you. Intex Kiddie Pool (about $19 at the time of publication). Letting that water sit stagnant for days can attract mosquitoes, as well as encourage algae and bacteria growthall of which you probably dont want around your children. Wirecutter doesnt formally test or recommend portable kiddie pools, but that doesnt mean our staffers dont like to splash around with their kids during their off-hours. We tried a couple of other smaller, underwhelming inflatable pool water slides and bouncy houses before finally going for this behemoth, and were glad we finally caved. Is it because its gotten grimy after a summer of splashing around? If youre not the arts-and-crafts type, you can send your inflatable pool over to Wyatt & Jack, a UK-based company that creates bags and accessories from salvaged bouncy castles, deck-chair canvas, and plastic inflatables. Read to learn which models we recommend. I dont feel great about itthere is a real guilt that goes along with wadding up a giant ball of slimy plastic and shoving it in a garbage can come September. I would recommend cleaning with soap and water first to wash off any film, then spray with a chlorine disinfectant, she said. The advice Id give? Plastic inflatable pools come in all shapes and sizes, from super-tiny setups with barely enough room for two toddlers to enormous, semi-permanent pools that require a filter, chemicals, a large patch of flat land for setup, and ample storage space for the off-season. Be sure to choose a kit that uses vinyl patches and comes with a vinyl glue that works underwater. With the right maintenance, they can last a few summers before they need to be replaced. Our children, then 4 and 2, spent dozens upon dozens of hours squealing and splashing in it. Its not inflatable, but thats why its goodits super-sturdy, no popping, and fits a child under 6 years old or so.. Subscribe now for unlimited access. If that sounds wasteful and otiose, an inflatable pool probably isnt for you. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. This is not a buy-it-for-life situation. It was relatively durable, spacious, and easy to inflate and empty. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. To prevent mold and mildew buildup between uses, turn the blower off and deflate the pool to drain the water out, she said. She has developed her own sanitizing method for her large and unwieldy kiddie pool and slide. 2000-2022 Home Depot. The Best Surface Cleaners, Wipes, and Disinfectants, Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab, fence, cover, or empty your portable pool (PDF), The Best Beach and Pool Toys for Kids and Adults, The Best Swim Goggles for Adults and Kids, How I Made a Stock Tank Pool My Backyard Oasis, Our Favorite Rash Guards, Swimsuits, Sun Hats, and Other Beachwear for Kids. My kids are obsessed with it, and we pull it out at least once a week. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Find the cheapest option that will serve your purposes, and be ready to call it a win if it survives the summer. Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. This doesnt mean you have to scrap your kiddie pool plans, though. I know inflatable pools are poorly made, get gross quickly, and will likely end up in the trash by summers end. Whether you're headed for the beach or the pool this summer, we've picked out the best toys to keep kids (and adults) entertained. The best pool weve ever used is the Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox that I fill with water from the hose, says senior editor Jen Hunter. According to The New York Times, No. Hard plastic pools (or repurposed sandboxes) are typically cheaper than inflatable options, and they require less setupno hand pumps, blowers, or excessive lung power required. For this piece, were focusing specifically on smaller portable pools that hold up to 170 gallons or less because theyre typically cheaper, smaller, and easier to maintain than their behemoth counterparts. Vinyl kiddie pools can also be repurposed by adventurous DIYers. While visiting my mom last summer, we bought this Intex Kiddie Pool. Emptying the pool nightly also saves us from the inevitable accumulation of sludge that can form in a kiddie pool overnight. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. If you check the bottom of your kiddie pool, youll likely see a recycling symbol in the shape of a triangle with a 3 inside. Heather Murphy, PhD, director of the Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab at Temple University, recommends thoroughly disinfecting the pool before leaving it to dry. These are the pools they have in their backyards (and the ways they keep them in good shape for the summer). Time at the beach, lake, or pool is more fun for everyone with kids outfitted in comfortable, protective rash guards, swimsuits, sun hats, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the germs that cause diarrhea or vomiting (which include Cryptosporidium, norovirus, Shigella, and E. coli) spread easily in untreated water. And, though not essential, patches with a rounded edge will reduce the chance of peeling and help keep everything airtight. We still had to toss it come fall. Need Help? (According to the CDC, germ-killing pool disinfectants like chlorine and bromine are unsafe for kiddie pool use because it can be hard to gauge how much disinfectant should be added as water sloshes from the pool throughout the day.). Inexpensive, easy to set up, and even easier to pull down, kiddie pools offer a respite from the heat and provide hours of outdoor entertainment. If youre battling leaks and rips, ask yourself whether theyre repairable. But theyre fairly bare-bones. In her neighborhood, wild raccoons run rampant, and these playful jerks love nothing more than popping blow-up pools and yard toys. If you plan on investing in a nonpermanent swimming solution, weve gathered the information you need to keep it clean and safe for your kidsand how to get rid of the pool in an environmentally friendly way, once its done the job it set out to do. And after a summer of frequent use, cheap inflatable pools become slimy, grimy heaps of plastic headed straight for the landfillbecause vinyl, the type of material most kiddie pools are made from, is hard to recycle. Consider why youre tossing your pool. Kiddie pools can morph from a fun summer escape to a slimy germ pit frighteningly fast. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Meh. Unfortunately, not all plastic is easily recyclable. If you have both the space and a kid (or kids) between the ages of 2 and 10, this Little Tikes Slam n Curve Slide is a satisfying and safe investment. Its really no better or worse than others weve owned. Inflatables come in all different shapes and sizes, some with higher sides and varying depths, others with attached slides or built-in seats. And the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you either fence, cover, or empty your portable pool (PDF) to ensure your childs safety. Because disinfectants arent added to the water, bacterial infections (like the kind that cause vomiting and diarrhea) spread easily and quickly. With limited color, design, and capacity options, rigid pools are basic basins thatll work in a pinch, but they likely wont offer the type of fun many inflatable pools can deliver. We tested 33 goggles in South Carolina and the Dominican Republic, and found the Aqua Sphere Kayenne to be the best swim goggles for most people. We inflate the slide atop two extra-large, heavy-duty tarps to protect the slide from punctures and the grass from getting waterlogged. The Vinyl Institute, a US trade organization that represents vinyl manufacturers, has a Recycling Directory on its site; this includes an interactive map of all the PVC/vinyl recyclers in the country. Then we empty the poolwatering the yard and gardenbefore tucking it into the garage, safe from raccoon destruction. Learn more. Try deep-cleaning it with soapy water first, followed by a disinfectant spray. But weve made peace with the fact that its worth it to us for the fun our kids have from April through August. Theyre the pinnacle of summer fun in the sun, a no-brainer for anyone looking for a way to keep cool at home. Let it sit for the suggested inactivation time on the cleaning product [before rinsing out the pool]its often at least one minute. If youd like to steer clear of vinyl kiddie pools altogether, a pool made of hard plastic is a good alternative. By summers end, your kiddie pool may be looking a little worse for wear. As long as its properly and carefully maintained, a temporary backyard blow-up pool can be the refreshing escape you and your children are seeking this summer. A plastic inflatable pool brimming with ice-cold hose water is as synonymous with summer as the jingle of the ice cream truck and the smoky smell of burgers on the grill. With the right tools and equipment, its easy to convert a stock tank into a pool that will keep you cool at home for less than the cost of a single vacation. Dumping the water from your pool each day can also help mitigate any potentially disastrous accidents. Because theyre not inflatable, durable plastic pools will last longer than their flimsier counterparts. 3 plastics are particularly bad because of their chemical composition, which can contaminate large batches of plastics in the recycling system that would otherwise be acceptable. This is why vinyl is so difficult to recycle: You cant just toss it into the recycling bin as you would most other plastic waste.
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