Essential Values Swimming Pool & Spa Stain Remover (2 LBS) - Compatible with Vinyl Liners, Fiberglass & Metals - Effective Formula Removes Rust & Tough Stains

So I see some bad reviews of the product. Likely folks who aren’t: Patient Using it correctly Using enough Using for right reason Because I have used at least 4 bottles in the last couple of years and it is exceptional. When you Uber-shock the pool, like a SLAM that has FC at about 10,000!!!! You will plate the pool. The pool will turn brown and you will be angry. Algae gone yes, walls and floor and steps now cocoa brown. I thought it was metals but in my case it has always been a stupid learning curve on a proper SLAM and detecting when algae is actually alive or when it’s dead and just needing removal from water. Always: at pool opening in March or April! On my last plating of a Catalina Fiberglass pool that was exceptionally blue, I opened the bottle and cut a small triangle opening maybe 1/4 inch tall and 1/4 inch wide. Use the bottom to sprinkle the acid as close to the wall of the pool as possible. This puts granules and high density citric acid right on the affected area. It’s not usually instant especially if plating is heavy, but I have seen it erase the wall instantly on very mild problems. I treated the steps at 6 pm. I waited until 8 pm and inspected. No results. I salted it again, but this time a small bolus was dropped at the middle of the top step. Still no activity. 10 pm, nothing. I go to bed knowing that plating is bad. 6 am, look outside, there is a nearly iridescent blue skunk stripe from the top step down to the pool floor. I retreated the NOW thinly plated steps and shallow end walls. PH had risen and the bolus had by gravity washed its way down about 6 feet past steps. Home from work at 5 pm, found the entire shallow end walls very thin, steps completely clean and blue, stunningly so. I used the balance of the bottle to treat the shallow walls to midline of pool, hits the corners heavier, step vertical faces. While I was working outside the pool simple snapped blue to the drop off. Period- end of story. The second bottle, half was used for the deep end walls BUT- the acid had crept to the deep end and thinned the plating slightly already. The deep end is always more difficult as the acid will settle to the bottom radius and not stick to the walls. That’s ok. The whole pool with 1-2 bottles used will, in a matter of a day or two, be completely clean. Anything above the water line: like you let the water drop before treatment or the foray two inches that usually don’t get concentrated enough—— Mix in a bucket a few ounces of the acid with 1/2 gallon of water. Lower your water level to explode the entire upper region needing treatment. Let it stay dry. Do not splash water on it. Use a 1970s sponge mop, soak with acid, mop the walls but don’t dip the mop in water. You want full concentration. Let the sun see the all’s for a bit if you can. Heat intensifies acidic reactions as a catalyst. It can’t hurt the walls at all! Mop repeatedly round and round trying to keep the area damp with acid solution. I’m two passes at noon with good sun, you will see a clean wall like it was painted. Hose the wall down to rinse acid, restore water level above the normal line, adjust your PH and Alkalinity back to correct. Then don’t shock the heck out of your pool again! Ascorbic acid will best remove iron/rust stains. Similar products are avail in ascorbic acid. Same application, including the mop. It will too clean the walls the same as citric, but more expensive. 4-6 ounces of HCLin 2 gallons of water will do the same BUT——- you better be on your game for PH and Keep chemistry up. The HCL will perform as well or better than both alternatives but it will also expose the pores of the gel coat and you will likely plate easier heretofore. The stuff is a miracle drug for the pool. Be patient. Leave the pool pump off and stagnant clean correct PH water to start and leave it as needed for two days to get the performance. It’s not a microwave oven!!! See ya- I need two more bottles for 2023 just in case.

I have a ~25k gallon vinyl lined pool that I started late with getting it opened for the season and unfortunately that allowed the algae to bloom and completely turned the water into dark murky green mess. Algaecide, SLAMing the pool (web search "pool SLAM" if you don't know what that is), and fixing the pool chemistry, all helped to clean up the pool water crystal clear. Sadly, a giant dark yellow/brown stain was left on the vertical wall of the vinyl liner in the deep end. I scrubbed and scrubbed with the pool brush, but the stain wouldn't go away. I had hopped the high concentration of chlorine when I was SLAMing the pool would help clean the stain, but it didn't work either. I was worried I'd have to replace the vinyl. Unfortunately I do not have any photos of that ugly stain. Honestly I was just too ashamed/embarrassed by it and knowing I caused it because I took to long to get the pool ready after it had been closed for winter so I just didn't want any photographic proof. Luckily I came across this product (and others similar to it). Pondering the cost of replacing the vinyl vs $37 for this product and I just had to give it a try. I did follow the instructions almost exactly. I made sure my free chlorine levels got to less than 1ppm. Made sure the pool pH was 7.2. Once I got those parameters set then I went around and sprinkled the product all around where the stain was. I turned on the pump and turned it off after 1 hour, just as instructed. Here's where I didn't follow the instructions: I poured in both containers into my pool, which is supposedly overkill because 1/2 a container supposedly treats 10k gallons, so both containers combined is meant for 40k gallons, but I only have ~25k gallons. I was desperate! I didn't believe that much citric acid would do any harm. I also didn't check on the pool after 12 hours. I didn't get a chance to look at it until almost 24 hours had passed. As I walked to the pool I was prepared to see the stain still there mocking me, but as I got to the pool, I was just left in disbelief that the stain was completely gone! Who knew all that citric acid would clean that up without much work for me! I turned back on the pump, brushed the pool as the instructions say, and rechecked my pool chemistry. I am truly shocked at how well this worked. Buy it! Follow the directions! Be the hero!

I was dealing with some stubborn metal stains in my pool — those annoying brownish spots that don’t budge no matter how clean your water is. I didn’t want to shell out big bucks for one of the name-brand removers, so I gave this more affordable option a shot. Worked like a charm. Seriously. Within a day, stains started fading fast, and by the end of the week my pool looked brand new. No scrubbing, no drama, just results. Compared to the high-end brands, this stuff costs less and works just as well, if not better. I followed the directions, kept my chlorine down for a bit, and let it do its thing. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an effective metal stain remover without the premium price tag. Stairs look great!

Put this in the pool and was not convinced it would do much as just a few sprinkles around. I came down first thing and was initially disappointed as had not really changed. Went out in the morning and got back a few hours later to find a totally clear pool. Sorry i did not have the before photo. Recommended if the stain is metallic and this product is suitable!!

Wow! Ma piscine creusée était complètement tâchée suite à un problème de réaction chimique dans l'eau. J'avais essayé tous les produits vendus chez club piscine et Trévi. Je pensais devoir changer ma toile. Elle est redevenue impeccable.

Very good ,,did the job. I'll buy it again if I need to

Didn’t remove the staining on the bottom of our pool would not buy again

Works well but need to double the dose and let it works for a minimum of 24 hours (recirculating mode and brunch, then back wash).