How to Store Pool Supplies After the Summer Season Ends

As pool season winds down, the gear that brought so much fun, floats, chairs, chemicals, and tools, can quickly become cluttered. Tossing everything into the garage might seem easy, but improper storage leads to ruined supplies and safety risks. Let’s walk through practical, no-fuss steps to store your pool essentials the right way when swim season is over.

Start With a Clean-Out and Sort

Once the last pool day of summer wraps up, it’s easy to toss everything in a pile and forget about it. But skipping proper pool supply storage leads to ruined gear, rusted equipment, and expired chemicals by the time warm weather rolls back around.

Before you store anything, take inventory. Check for broken goggles, popped floats, and empty containers. Separate your items into categories: pool toys and floats, cleaning tools, outdoor furniture, and pool chemicals. This step makes storage safer and helps you spot what needs to be replaced.

Cleaning everything before storage is a must. Leftover pool water contains trace chemicals and bacteria that can damage gear over time. Rinse, wipe down, and dry items thoroughly. Let them dry fully, and don’t rush this part. Damp items stored in bins or sheds can lead to mildew, odors, and material breakdown.

Protect and Store Pool Toys the Right Way

Large pool toys like rafts and inflatable loungers are some of the most commonly damaged items during off-season storage. That’s because they’re often stored improperly, crammed into tight bins or left partially inflated and folded.

Deflate all floats completely and wipe them down with a mild soap and water solution. Make sure every corner and seam is dry before folding. To help prevent the vinyl from sticking together during long-term storage, lightly dust the surfaces with cornstarch or baby powder.

Avoid stuffing inflatables into too-small bins. Store them in clear, plastic containers with snap lids, and keep heavier items off of them to avoid creases or cracks. If you’re short on space, hang floats vertically using large hooks or bungee cords in a garage or shed. Use labeled bins for smaller toys like dive sticks, snorkels, and goggles to keep everything organized and easy to find.

Keep Poolside Furniture Covered and Elevated

Chairs, loungers, and side tables that stay outside year-round wear down quickly. UV rays fade fabrics and plastics. Rain and snow cause rust, mold, and cracking.

Clean all furniture thoroughly with a gentle outdoor cleaner and let it dry fully. Stack plastic chairs when possible and store them under cover. For metal furniture, apply a rust-resistant spray to joints and exposed screws. For cushion sets, store indoors or in vacuum-sealed bags to protect against moisture and pests.

If you don’t have space at home, a climate-controlled storage unit like those offered at StoreEase is a smart option. It keeps your patio setup safe from temperature extremes while freeing up garage or shed space at home.

Store Pool Chemicals Safely and Separately

Pool supply storage becomes more serious when you get to the chemicals. Pool shock, chlorine tabs, pH balancers, and algaecides all have specific requirements for safe storage. Storing them incorrectly can lead to dangerous reactions, degraded product quality, and even property damage.

Never store chemicals in the same bin, and never mix containers, even if they’re almost empty. Keep chemicals in their original containers with labels intact. Avoid transferring liquids to unmarked bottles.

Choose a well-ventilated, dry area that stays between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid direct sunlight, and don’t store chemicals near anything flammable or heat-generating—like water heaters or gas cans.
 

You should only store pool chemicals in the garage if it’s well-ventilated, insulated, and dry. Otherwise, temperature swings could cause liquids to freeze or degrade, and poor airflow might trap fumes. Some storage facilities allow you to store pool chemicals, but only in units that meet specific ventilation and climate standards. If you're unsure, check with your StoreEase location before storing any chemical products.

Separate Cleaning Tools and Keep Them Off the Ground

Skimmers, vacuums, poles, brushes, and hoses all benefit from off-ground storage. Leaving them on the floor of a shed or garage often leads to warping, mildew, and broken parts.

After cleaning each item, hang it on wall hooks or mount a pegboard to keep tools accessible and organized. Never store vacuums or pool pumps with water inside, drain thoroughly, and clean filters to prevent internal corrosion and mold.

For robotic pool cleaners, wipe down all components, remove any remaining debris, and store indoors where the temperature won’t drop below freezing. Coil cords loosely to avoid kinks and inspect for any cracks before packing them away.

Avoid Storing These Items Together

Some pool supply storage mistakes are not only inconvenient—they can be dangerous. Here are a few combinations to avoid:

● Chlorine + acid-based cleaners: This pairing can produce toxic gas

● Electronics near liquids or chemicals: Risk of corrosion and short circuits

● Cleaning tools near metal furniture: Exposure to moisture can promote rust

● Fabrics next to chemical bins: Fumes can damage fibers or cause discoloration

Create separate zones: chemicals in one area, tools in another, and toys or soft goods in their own containers.

If you’re using a shared shed or garage, consider color-coded bins or separate shelving to help keep everything in its place.

Don’t Overlook Winter Risks

Even in milder climates, winter weather can quietly ruin your pool gear. Freezing temperatures can crack plastic components, weaken inflatables, and cause pool chemicals to become unstable or useless.

It’s not usually safe to store pool chemicals outside in the winter. Cold can cause certain products to freeze and expand, which may rupture containers or reduce effectiveness. Exposure to moisture can also cause clumping or corrosion.

Use insulated containers for anything stored in an unheated garage or shed. For extra protection, place bins on raised platforms or pallets to avoid moisture absorption from the ground.

Pool antifreeze is sometimes used in plumbing or filtration lines, but don’t confuse it with automotive antifreeze. Using the wrong product can damage your system and create safety hazards for kids and pets.

Create a Storage System That Works Year After Year

If your pool gear feels scattered, it’s time to create a more structured system. Designate a wall or shelving unit just for pool supplies. Label bins clearly and keep a list of what’s inside each one. This not only saves time during pool opening but also prevents buying duplicates of items you already own.

Use hanging storage for long-handled tools. Store bins in stackable layers, with less-used items on the bottom. Dedicate a single bin to “essentials” so next season you can get started quickly without digging through every box.

Make Room With Smart Seasonal Storage

Sometimes you run out of space, especially when dealing with large pool toys, patio sets, and bins full of chemicals or cleaning gear. That’s where off-site storage comes in.

StoreEase offers climate-controlled units that help keep your gear in good condition year-round. Rather than overstuffing the garage or cramming everything into the laundry room, you can store your pool supplies in a safe, organized space until spring. These units are a great option for oversized floats, extra loungers, or bulky seasonal furniture that simply doesn’t fit at home.

With secure access and digital account management, it’s easy to grab what you need or add new items when your pool gear grows.

Set Yourself Up for an Easier Pool Opening

The benefit of smart pool supply storage isn’t just avoiding damage. It also makes pool opening season easier and more efficient.

With everything labeled, cleaned, and in the right place, there’s no guessing where things are or dealing with surprise damage. You’ll spend less time sorting and more time getting back in the water.

Take a few minutes now to label bins, replace worn-out gear, and note anything that needs to be restocked. Then, when the first warm weekend hits, your supplies will be ready to go with no stress required.

Keep It Clean, Dry, and Organized

Pool supply storage doesn’t need to be complicated. With a little upfront planning, you can protect your investments, avoid safety issues, and enjoy a smoother transition into the next season.

Whether you’re storing gear at home or need more space off-site, the goal is the same: keep your items clean, dry, separated, and easy to access.

Need more room for your pool gear this season? Find a StoreEase location near you and explore flexible storage options that keep your outdoor supplies protected, organized, and out of the way until you're ready to dive in again.