You spent good money on a pool cover. But if you roll it up wet, toss it in the garage, and forget about it until next fall — you're cutting its lifespan in half.

Mold, mildew, algae stains, and fabric breakdown all start the same way: improper cleaning and storage. The good news is that taking care of your pool cover properly takes less than an hour and makes a huge difference in how long it lasts.

This guide covers exactly how to clean your above ground pool cover, how to dry it the right way, and how to store it so it comes out next season ready to do its job.

Why Cleaning and Storing Your Pool Cover Matters

A pool cover that isn't cleaned before storage can develop mold and mildew that eats into the fabric, algae stains that become permanent if left untreated, and chemical residue that slowly breaks down the waterproof coating from the inside out.

Most people don't realize that the cover itself — not just the pool — needs end-of-season maintenance. A clean, properly stored cover can last 5 to 8 seasons. A neglected one may only last 1 to 2. If you're not sure which type of cover you have or what material it's made from, our above ground pool cover buying guide covers everything you need to know before the season ends.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather the following:

• Garden hose with spray nozzle

• Soft-bristle brush or mop

• Mild dish soap or pool cover cleaner

• Clean towels or old rags

• Flat surface or clean tarp to lay the cover on

• Pool cover storage bag (if included with your cover)

Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, bleach, or pressure washers — these can damage the PU coating and weaken the seams on any quality waterproof pool cover.

Step 1: Remove the Cover from Your Pool

Start by removing the fastening system — whether that's ratchet straps, a winch and cable, or buckle straps. Set the hardware aside and rinse it separately. Metal components can rust or corrode if stored dirty.

Before lifting the cover, use a pool cover pump or a soft broom to push any standing water off the surface. A cover full of water is extremely heavy and difficult to handle safely.

Always remove your pool cover on a calm, dry day. Wind makes this job much harder and can drag the cover through dirt before you've had a chance to clean it.

Step 2: Lay the Cover Flat and Rinse

Spread the cover out on a clean, flat surface — a driveway, patio, or clean tarp works well. Avoid concrete with sharp edges that could snag or tear the fabric.

Use your garden hose to rinse both sides thoroughly. Start from the center and work outward to push debris off the edges rather than spreading it around. Pay extra attention to the underside, which may have algae from direct pool water contact, and the grommets where debris tends to collect.

Step 3: Scrub Away Stains and Buildup

For light dirt and debris, a thorough rinse is often enough. For algae stains, mildew spots, or chemical buildup, mix a solution of mild dish soap and warm water and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the affected areas in circular motions.

For stubborn algae stains, mix equal parts water and white vinegar, apply to the stained area, let sit for 5 minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly. For mildew or mold spots, one tablespoon of dish soap in a quart of warm water does the job — scrub, rinse well, and make sure the area dries completely.

What you should never use: bleach damages the waterproof coating, pressure washers force water into the seams, and abrasive pads scratch and remove the UV protection layer. These shortcuts end up costing you a new cover sooner than you'd like.

Step 4: Rinse Completely

After scrubbing, rinse the cover with clean water to remove all soap residue. Soap left on the cover attracts more dirt during storage and can cause discoloration over time. Flip the cover and rinse the underside as well — don't skip this side.

Step 5: Dry the Cover Completely

This is the step most people skip, and it's the most important one. Never store a pool cover that is still damp. Even slightly damp fabric stored in a bag or box will develop mold and mildew within days.

Leave the cover spread out flat in direct sunlight for at least 2 to 4 hours, flipping it halfway through to dry both sides evenly. Run your hand across the entire surface before folding — pay special attention to the edges and grommets, which hold moisture longer than the main fabric.

If the weather is cloudy or humid, allow extra drying time. Waiting an extra hour is always better than dealing with a mold-covered cover next spring.

Step 6: Inspect for Damage Before Storing

While the cover is still spread out flat, take a few minutes to inspect it carefully. Check the seams for any separation or fraying, look at the grommets for rust or loosening, and inspect the fabric for tears or areas where the coating has peeled or cracked on the underside.

If you find minor tears, address them now with pool cover repair tape before storing. Rusted hardware should be replaced before reinstalling the cover next season. Finding these issues in the fall is far easier — and cheaper — than discovering them the morning you want to open your pool. If damage is significant enough that the cover no longer fits or functions properly, it's worth looking at a replacement before next season rather than waiting. You can filter round, rectangular, and oval covers by size to find an exact match for your pool.

Step 7: Fold the Cover Correctly

How you fold your pool cover affects how easy it is to install next time and how well the fabric holds up in storage.

For round covers, fold in half across the diameter, then fold in half again, continuing until the cover is a manageable size. Avoid sharp creases on the final folds — roll them rather than pressing flat. For rectangular and oval covers, fold lengthwise first, then fold again if the cover is still wide, then accordion-fold from one short end toward the other.

One tip most people don't know: avoid folding along the exact same lines every season. Rotating the fold direction reduces wear on any single crease in the fabric.

Step 8: Store in a Cool, Dry Location

The best storage options are the original storage bag, a breathable fabric bag, or a clean plastic bin with a lid that allows slight airflow. Keep the cover off concrete floors — moisture wicks up and encourages mold. Avoid tight, sealed plastic bags that trap any remaining moisture, and don't store in areas exposed to extreme heat like a hot garage roof or direct sun.

For the hardware — cables, winches, and ratchet straps — rinse and dry everything before storing. Apply a light coat of WD-40 to winch mechanisms to prevent rust over winter. Ratchet straps should be stored loosely coiled, not wrapped tightly around the buckle body. If your cover uses water tubes, empty them completely and dry flat before storing.

How Often Should You Clean Your Pool Cover?

Most pool owners only think about cleaning their cover at the end of the season, but there are other times it matters too.

Before storing for the off-season, every year without exception. After a major storm, rinse and dry as soon as you can. If you notice heavy algae or debris buildup during the swim season, a mid-season rinse takes 15 minutes and prevents stains from setting in permanently.

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Pool Cover

Even a well-maintained cover has a lifespan. If the fabric has become brittle or stiff, the waterproof coating is peeling, large tears can't be repaired, or the grommets have pulled through the fabric — it's time to replace it before the next season rather than after you've already opened the pool to problems.

If you're measuring for a new cover and not sure what size you need, our pool cover measuring guide walks you through round, rectangular, and oval pools step by step so you get the right fit the first time.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning and storing your pool cover properly is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and avoid early replacement. Remove it carefully, rinse and scrub both sides, dry it completely, inspect for damage, fold it without sharp permanent creases, and store it somewhere cool, dry, and breathable.

Do this every season and your cover comes out next year ready to work — no surprises, no mold, no emergency replacement the week before swim season starts.

Also worth reading:

• How to Winterize Your Above Ground Pool — the full closing checklist that goes alongside this guide

• The Ultimate Guide to Opening Your Above Ground Pool for Spring — what to do when the cover comes back off