How to Clean a Chlorinator Cell

Keeping your chlorinator cell in optimal condition is one of the most important steps in maintaining your swimming pool. A clean salt water chlorinator cell ensures efficient chlorine production, extends the life span of your pool equipment, and keeps your pool water clean year round. Over time, mineral deposits, calcium build up, and loose debris can reduce your chlorinator’s performance, leading to reduced chlorine production, cloudy water, and even costly repairs. Calcium build-up on a salt cell damages the cell and reduces the flow of water and production of chlorine sanitizer.

In this guide, we walk through the entire cleaning process, including how to use the right pool cleaning solution, what safety precautions to take, and how to avoid damaging your saltwater chlorinator.

Why You Should Clean Your Chlorinator Cell Regularly

Your salt chlorinator cell works by converting dissolved salt in your pool water into usable chlorine through a process called electrolysis. This process occurs between cell plates inside the unit, which can become coated with calcium deposits over time, especially in areas with high calcium hardness levels. Calcium deposits can form solid deposits on the chlorinator cell’s surface due to a chemical reaction between calcium in water and metal plates in the cell.

Here’s why regular cleaning matters:

• A clean salt water cell improves chlorine levels and overall water sanitation
• It extends the life span of the chlorinator and other connected pool equipment
• It helps avoid scale buildup, which restricts water flow and can cause system faults
• It prevents reduced chlorine production that leads to algae growth and murky water

Signs Your Chlorinator Cell Needs Cleaning

Knowing when to clean your saltwater chlorinator cell can prevent unnecessary strain on your system. Common signs include:

• The control panel shows error messages or low chlorine warnings
• Visible calcium buildup or brown stains on the cell plates
• The pool water turns cloudy or begins to host algae
• A drop in chlorine levels despite regular system output
• Noticeable decrease in flow rate or pool pump performance
• Inspect the salt cell for mineral deposits and rinse it before cleaning

Tools and Supplies You Will Need

Before you begin the cleaning process, gather all necessary equipment. These tools ensure you can clean your chlorinator cell effectively and safely:

• Protective gloves, safety goggles, and eye protection
• Acid-resistant household bucket or container
• 10 to 15 parts fresh water
• 1 part hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid (also sold as acid solution)
• Optional: soda ash to neutralise the acid after cleaning
• Garden hose to remove loose debris
• Soft brush or cloth
• Manufacturer-approved cleaning kit
• Well-labelled area or surface for drying

Always work in a well ventilated area, and avoid combining this task with other household tasks.

How to Clean a Chlorinator Cell Step by Step

1. Turn Off the System and Carefully Remove the Cell

Switch off all pool equipment, especially the pool pump and chlorinator. Wait for the system to depressurise, then carefully remove the chlorinator cell following the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Inspect and Rinse the Cell

Use a garden hose to spray down the unit and remove loose debris. Avoid abrasive scrubbing that may damage the cell plates. Check for solid calcium deposits, which often indicate a need for soaking.

3. Prepare the Acid Cleaning Solution

Using your household bucket, prepare a 1:4 acid solution of hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid mixed with fresh water. Always add acid to water, never the reverse, to prevent violent chemical reactions. This ensures safety during the preparation of the cleaning solution.

Safety Tip: Wear protective gloves, use eye protection, and keep pets and children away.

4. Soak the Cell

Submerge the chlorinator cell in the cleaning solution and allow it to soak the cell for 10 to 15 minutes. Bubbles will form as the acid reacts with calcium build up. Do not exceed this time to prevent erosion of the cell plates. Thoroughly rinse the chlorinator cell with fresh water after soaking to remove any residual acid and debris.

5. Rinse and Reinstall

Once bubbling stops, rinse the cell thoroughly with fresh water. Inspect again to ensure there is no remaining debris. Carefully reinstall the cell, turn the system back on, and test for efficient operation.

Best Practices for Ongoing Chlorinator Maintenance

Cleaning your chlorinator cell regularly is just one part of a solid chlorinator maintenance routine. For the best results:

• Clean the cell every 3 to 6 months
• Schedule routine professional servicing once a year
• Use a cleaning stand to reduce mess and allow better soaking
• Keep salt levels and pool chemicals balanced
• Test your water for calcium levels, pH, and chlorine regularly
• Adjust chlorinator settings based on season and usage
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for model-specific care
• Cleaning schedules should be followed every 3-6 months for chlorinators to ensure efficient operation

These steps ensure the chlorinator operates efficiently while keeping your pool water safe and clear. Proactive maintenance can prevent the need for frequent cleaning of salt cells.

Dealing With Calcium Build Up

High calcium hardness levels in your pool water are one of the primary causes of calcium deposits on chlorinator cells. These deposits affect the unit’s ability to produce enough chlorine and create conditions for algae or bacterial growth. Excessive levels of calcium in pool water is generally due to an imbalance in water chemistry. Regularly testing pool water chemistry helps prevent calcium build-up on equipment.

Here’s how to manage it:

• Use phosphate test strips and test water weekly
• Maintain the correct water balance, especially pH and alkalinity
• Use concentrated salt cell cleaner or products like Filtrite Guardian 3 in 1
• Consider a water softener if your supply water is high in calcium
• Avoid allowing scale buildup to accumulate between cleanings

Products like Filtrate Guardian 3-in-1 are designed to protect pool equipment and improve water quality by preventing calcium build-up.

If your chlorinator cell is heavily calcified, reverse polarity (self cleaning function) may no longer be effective, and a manual cleaning process becomes essential.

Maintaining Water Chemistry for Chlorinator Health

Proper pool water chemistry supports your salt chlorinator cell and extends its life span. Without it, you risk calcium buildup, poor sanitation, and component damage.

Key water parameters to maintain:

• Salt levels as per manufacturer’s range
• pH between 7.2 and 7.6
• Calcium hardness between 200 and 400 ppm
• Total alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm

Improper pH and alkalinity levels can accelerate calcium deposits on pool equipment.

Use high-quality pool chemicals and regularly test with a full test kit. This protects both your chlorinator and the broader pool system. Regular testing of pool water helps prevent excessive wear on chlorinator components.

Recommended Products for Chlorinator Cleaning

While some pool owners use diluted hydrochloric acid, many prefer premixed salt cell cleaners that are less hazardous. Consider the following:

• Dedicated cleaning kits for safe handling
• Filtrite Guardian 3 in 1 to prevent future deposits
• Acid-neutralising powders like soda ash
• Purpose-designed containers with built-in cleaning stands
• Using a dedicated cleaning kit ensures safe and effective cleaning of the salt cell
• Dedicated cleaning kits for safe handling

Using the right products helps you complete the cleaning steps quickly while reducing the risk of damage to your chlorinator cell.

When to Replace Your Chlorinator Cell

Even with proper regular maintenance, every chlorinator cell has a finite life span, typically around five years. Replace your cell if:

• It no longer produces enough chlorine even after cleaning
• The cell plates are pitted, cracked, or heavily corroded
• The system fails to work even when water chemistry is ideal
• A calcified salt cell can shorten its lifespan, leading to early replacement and increased maintenance costs

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to clean a chlorinator cell is a crucial skill for any saltwater pool owner. By following safe, effective cleaning steps and supporting your system with good pool water chemistry, you can ensure efficient chlorine production, reduce calcium buildup, and extend the life of your salt water chlorinator cell. Regular inspections of electrical connections ensure the chlorinator operates properly.

Remember to wear protective gloves, work in a well ventilated area, and follow all manufacturer’s instructions when handling acid or performing household tasks related to your swimming pool. This simple task can protect your investment, ensure safe swimming conditions, and keep your chlorinator cell working properly for years to come. Wear protective gear when handling acids to clean the chlorinator cell to avoid potential injuries.