Leslie's Standard Pool Closing Kit Instructions
As pool season draws to a close, it's time to start thinking about closing the pool for the long winter months ahead. The Leslie's Standard Pool Closing Kit includes all the chemicals you'll need to protect your pool through the off-season, and will treat pools up to 7,500 gallons in size. Standard Kits include:
- 1 lb Fresh 'N Clear shock bag
- 1 qt Winter Stain Away
- 1 qt Winterizer
- 1 Chemical Floater, 1.2 lb
- 1 Winter Sorb
Leslie's also carries two other sizes of Pool Closing Kits. If you're looking for instructions for the other sizes, click the links below:
Leslie's Deluxe Pool Closing Kit Instructions (for pools up to 15,000 gallons)
Leslie's Premium Pool Closing Kit Instructions (for pools up to 35,000 gallons)
NOTE: Temperatures should be consistently below 65ºF before attempting to close your pool. For vinyl liner and fiberglass pools, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for winterizing. Always read and follow product label directions for more information about safe handling and application practices.
How to Use a Leslie's Standard Pool Closing Kit
- Clean the pool. Remove large debris with a leaf rake or skimmer net, then brush all pool surfaces and vacuum the pool floor.
- With the pump running on high speed, add 1 quart of Leslie's Winter Stain Away to the pool.
- Balance your water according to the following recommended ranges. Remember to never mix chemicals, and always wait at least 1–2 hours between chemical applications. If you need to adjust Calcium Hardness levels, do not add a hardness increaser on the same day as sodium carbonate (Soda Ash) or sodium bicarbonate (Alkalinity Up).
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm (exact range depends on sanitizer type)
- pH: 7.4–7.6
- Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
- Add 1 quart of Leslie's Winterizer to the pool, with the pump still running. Wait one hour before moving on to the next step.
- Broadcast 1 pound of Leslie’s Fresh ‘N Clear across the surface of the pool with the pump running. Wait 30 minutes.
- Bring your Free Available Chlorine level to 2.0–4.0 ppm if not there already. Broadcast Leslie’s Chlor Brite (sold separately) evenly over a wide area in the deepest part of the pool with the pump running. Use about 1.5 ounces of Chlor Brite per 5,000 gallons to increase chlorine levels by 1 ppm. Keep the pump running, and wait for at least 8 hours.
- To give your pool an extra boost this winter, add a WinterPill (sold separately) to the pool according to manufacturer instructions. This product contains enzymes, so do not add it to your pool if chlorine levels are above the recommended range.
- Place the Winter Sorb sponge into the pool.
- Using a screwdriver, carefully puncture the indents along the side of the Chemical Floater up to your pool size. Then place the floater into the pool with the narrow end in the water.
- Proceed with winterization procedures as you normally would. Clean or backwash the filter, turn off the power, lower water levels below the skimmer (if applicable), winterize your equipment and plumbing lines, remove non-permanent items from around the pool, and install your winter or safety cover. Or, if you need help, schedule pool closing services with a certified Leslie’s technician.
For more information about how to finish the winterizing process, download and print our easy-to-follow 5-step Leslie's Pool Closing Guide. Your Leslie's Pool Closing Kit, and the instructions above, will be used in "Step 1: Balance water."