When you pull your inflatable pool out after winter, it’s not always the joyful moment you’d hope for. Ours had been in storage for months, and when I unfolded it, I was met with patches of black mould and mildew — not ideal. If you’re wondering how to clean mould from paddling pool surfaces safely and effectively, here’s a step-by-step guide based on exactly what worked for us.
Step 1: Spray with a mould remover
To start, I used Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover to tackle the worst of the mould. It’s specifically designed for this kind of cleaning and works well on plastic surfaces like inflatable pools. Spray it generously across the mouldy areas and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
Step 2: Scrub the paddling pool thoroughly
Using a large scrubbing brush, I worked the cleaner into the seams and corners — the places where mildew really settles in. This is where most of the effort goes in. After scrubbing, I rinsed everything off with the garden hose. To really clean mould from a paddling pool properly, I repeated this process twice.
Don’t use a jet washer — it may damage the seams.
Step 3: Don’t panic about staining
Even after two rounds of scrubbing, there was still some slight staining on the plastic. This is totally normal — once the mould is dead and the area is clean, faint marks are usually harmless.
Step 4: Repair any hidden damage
After cleaning, I noticed a small puncture at the base — likely caused by a mouse. I used tent repair tape from Amazon to patch it up. It’s waterproof and worked really well on the inflatable material.
If you’ve found holes after cleaning your paddling pool, patch kits for tents or airbeds can be a budget-friendly fix.
Step 5: Store it properly to prevent future mould
Once you’ve managed to clean mould from your paddling pool, the next job is storage. Let it dry completely, then fold loosely and store it in a dry, well-ventilated space. This helps stop mildew forming next season.
If you’re planning a summer garden setup, you might also enjoy my post on easy outdoor play activities for kids — perfect for keeping little ones busy while the paddling pool warms up! Let me know your best pool-cleaning hacks in the comments.
