Keeping your pool's water clean is vital for swimmers but will also help the filter and pump to work more effectively. The more dirt and debris in the pool, the harder the pump works to pull water through the filter and the more likely it is that the filter will get clogged and then need maintenance or repair. Note a few simple tips for choosing pool cleaners for your home's pool, and remember that you may still need to have it professionally cleaned so that the walls and floor get a thorough scrubbing.

Large debris

If your pool tends to get a lot of large debris in the water, such as leaves, twigs, acorns and the like, opt for a pressure side cleaner with a bag. This type of cleaner will work against the water pressure in a pool to roll over its surface, collecting that debris in a bag. The bag is best for holding larger items of debris so they don't get sucked into a tube or hose, potentially causing damage.

For sand and grit

If you tend to just get sand and grit in your pool, such as from dirty feet or a nearby roadway that kicks up dust and dirt, opt for what is called a suction side cleaner. This cleaner will attach to the pool's filter and use that pressure to move around the bottom of the pool, sucking up that dirt and sand and bringing it to the filter to get trapped. Since this cleaner is meant for finer debris, it may not work so well for leaves and other larger items but will keep the bottom of the pool free from grit.

Solar-powered surface cleaner

If debris tends to settle on the water's surface, you might opt for a solar-powered surface cleaner. This cleaner has a solar panel on its top that it uses for power so it doesn't need to be connected to any other parts of the pool. It floats on the water's surface, cleaning up leaves and other light debris.

Robotic cleaners for all-around clean

If you want an all-around cleaning for the pool, a robotic cleaner is best. This type of model gets plugged in for a charge and then operates on its own, so you don't connect it to the filter or pump. A robotic cleaner also has scrub brushes along its bottom, for cleaning the floor and sides of the pool. Robotic cleaners are usually the most expensive, but they can keep the pool cleaner than other models.