Filter Cartridge Cleaning: Timing Is Everything

When it comes to pool filter cartridges, when they’re cleaned matters just as much as how they’re cleaned.

At Poolsyde, our goal is simple: keep your filter working efficiently, protect your equipment, and help your cartridge last as long as possible. That means cleaning cartridges before they become a problem — but not so often that we accidentally shorten their lifespan.

Why We Clean Before Things Get Bad

A dirty or clogged cartridge restricts water flow, which can:

• Reduce filtration efficiency

• Put extra strain on your pump

• Lead to cloudy water and chemistry issues

That’s why we keep an eye on pressure readings, flow rate, and overall system performance. When a cartridge is starting to load up — but before it’s fully clogged — that’s the sweet spot for cleaning.

Cleaning at the right time restores proper flow and keeps the whole system running smoothly.

Some customers ask us how often their cartridge should be cleaned, and I’m usually reluctant to give a definitive answer, because it really does depend. In the peak season we may need to clean a cartridge every few weeks, whereas in winter it could be a few months.

Why “Too Often” Is Also a Problem

It’s tempting to think that more cleaning equals better filtration. In reality, over-cleaning cartridges can actually reduce their lifespan.

Every cleaning:

• Wears the filter fabric

• Breaks down pleats over time

• Reduces the cartridge’s ability to trap fine particles

Additionally, every time we open your filter housing, we’re wearing down the rubber seals that keep everything airtight and watertight, just a little.

If a cartridge is still doing its job well, cleaning it too early doesn’t help — it just causes unnecessary wear.

Longevity Is the Goal

With good water balance, sensible cleaning intervals, and proper handling, we aim to keep your cartridges in serviceable condition for as long as possible.

Even with the best care, though, all cartridges eventually need replacing. The materials break down, pleats lose structure, and filtration performance drops. When Poolsyders look after your pool, a filter cartridge can typically last between one and two years, depending on usage and conditions.

Replacement Options: Branded vs Generic

When it is time for a replacement, we offer both branded and generic cartridges:

• Branded cartridges

  • Cost more

  • Tend to last a little longer

  • Often have heavier-duty materials and better pleat construction

• Generic cartridges

  • Lower upfront cost

  • Great option for keeping medium-term costs down

  • Solid performance when properly maintained

There’s no “wrong” choice — it really comes down to budget and your mid-term priorities. Ask “is the extra expense for a branded cartridge worth it?”

The Poolsyde Way

We don’t clean cartridges just because a calendar tells us to. We clean them when it actually benefits your pool, and we replace them only when they’ve truly reached the end of their useful life.

That balance — not too early, not too late — is how we keep your pool running efficiently, your costs predictable, and your equipment protected.

Smart maintenance beats reactive fixes every time. And your filter will thank you for it.