Contributed by Korina Rossi, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

A cool swimming pool can be a haven during the summer swelter.

Inviting a few friends over and firing up the barbeque can make for a picturesque afternoon. Making sure that your pool is pristine can be easy if you follow a few tips.

Here are my top 10 tips to keeping your swimming pool clean:

10. Use salt water

Daily swimmers know that pool chlorine makes hair dry and nails brittle, but don’t be tempted to use less chemicals, which will only result in your pool becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, consider converting your pool to the best chlorine alternative salt water system, which contains only a fraction of the salt that sea water carries. Not only will your hair thank you, salt water is a gentle anti-septic that will sooth skin abrasions.

9. No food rule

Curtailing the amount of food and snacks available near the pool, especially for children, will most likely keep food out of the pool. Having a trash can close by will also give your guests an obvious place to throw their napkins and paper plates.

8. Chemicals

Don’t forget to add algaecide chemicals to your pool weekly, or the algae growth will turn your crystal clear water murky green.

7. Shower

Furnishing your pool area with an outdoor shower is great way to remind children returning from sandboxes and playgrounds to rinse off before jumping into the pool.

6. A good scrub

Remember to scrub the bottom of the pool to stop any oxidation or water stains, especially around the drains.

5. Pool vacuum

A lifesaver of pool owners who want to enjoy their weekends in the pool, instead of cleaning it, a robotic pool vacuum will automatically suck up debris before it is noticed.

4. Screen

Installing a screen can block the summer migration of bugs and mosquitoes to your pool, so you won’t have to fish them out with a net. Citronella candles can also dissuade insects from being unwelcomed guests your pool party.

3. Pool cover

If dead leaves, bugs, and other debris keep you out of your pool, you might want to invest in a pool cover. Pool covers range from simply stretch-and-tie affairs to fully automated machines that cover your pool at the touch of a button.

2. Sweep deck

Don’t forget that algae and dirt also accumulate on your deck, especially if there are few drains. Whether your deck is tile or poured concrete, installing drains will keep the deck clean and your family safe from slips.

1. Fence yard

Building a fence around your yard will keep one of the worst offenders, flocks of ducks, from lounging in your pool. You can go rustic with a rough hewn wooden fence or fancy, with something in wrought iron.