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Salt Stains in Swimming Pools
Got salt stains in your pool?
Salt stains in swimming pools have become more common in Australia because cheap pool salt has become very popular. Unlike fine, high-grade salt, the cheap salt sold at big hardware stores is usually less pure than the salt at pool shops.
If you have new brown stains in your pool that have suddenly appeared after adding salt, cheap salt is often to blame. If you use mineral salts the same thing can happen due to contaminated mineral or magnesium salts.
Salt stains are especially stubborn and hard to shift without the right treatment. Don’t worry, we can help.
Salt stains appear in several colours
Aside from contamination, cheap pool salt may contain tiny metal fragments which cause rust spots to appear. It is not salt that stains your pool; it’s the contaminants and metals in the salt. We have a short blog about how to find good quality pool salt.
Our proven salt stain remover works great on Pebblecrete, Quartzon, vinyl-lined, Beadcrete, tiled, and fibreglass pools.
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Australia's salt stain experts
The trick to removing salt stains is to have a product that’s strong enough to dissolve them away. Then, use a quality preventative to stop them from coming back. Our treatment does both.
If you would like us to see your stains before you buy, email photos to info@thepoolstainremovers.com.au or call us.
- Free expert advice - before you buy
- No acid washing, No water draining
- Proven results in over 20,000 pools since 2013
- Help from our trained technicians - even after you buy
- Salt Stain prevention liquid included
Salt stain treatment options
OPTION 1 Salt Stain Removal - DIY kit
- 1 Litre of salt stain prevention formula
- 4 kgs of salt stain dissolving compound
- Phone support from our technicians
- Easy step-by-step instructions + video included
- Pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kit is sent and tracked by Aramex Couriers
- Kids are back in the pool in just 7 days
Most Pools $245
OPTION 2 Salt Stain Removal – On Site Technician
- 1 Litre of our salt stain prevention formula
- 4 kgs of our stain dissolving compound
- On-site water test
- Your pool does NOT need to be drained
- Kids are back in the pool in 7 days
- A technician may be an add-on for $170 once you've ordered the DIY Kit
From $415
Pool Stain Removers Price List
| Water Volume | Kit Prices - Inc. GST & Delivery | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 40,000 Litres | $245 | X 1 Bottle of SSE + 2 Bags of Stain Compound |
| Up to 65,000 Litres | $295 | X 1 Bottle of SSE + 3 Bags of Stain Compound |
| Up to 95,000 Litres | $345 | X 1 Bottle of SSE + 4 Bags of Stain Compound |
| Up to 120,000 Litres | $395 | X 2 Bottles of SSE + 5 Bags of Stain Compound |
What Our Customers Say About Us
★★★★★
I recommend this product, it has removed the stains and the pool looks like new again! Wade has been the best in helping!! Very Happy! 🙂.
★★★★★
We had some bad staining on our pool and I had trouble finding a company who wanted to help. I came across this company and it was a blessing! The product is amazing and literally worked overnight. Wade was super helpful and convinced us to give it a try and we are so glad we did. We were skeptical to say the least but it really works if you follow their instructions. Thank you Wade and company!!
★★★★★
I thought my pool was done for. Calcium took over. I search all over for a company that could help. I found one.
If you have calcium buildup in your pool order this product it’s simple to use easy to follow instructions and fast delivery. You won’t be disappointed. My fibreglass pool looks new again.
★★★★★
I had copper stains in my pool for about 6 months. After spending hundreds of dollars on non-performing products purchased on bad advice of local pool stores, I found The Pool Stain Removers with an internet search. Their treatment sounded too good to be true. It turns out, it wasn’t too good to be true. It was awesome! I find myself going outside several times a day just to gaze at my like-new pool. I am so pleased. Thank you Wade!.
★★★★★
After multiple attempts to remove brown/green stains on sides of in ground pebble pool, I was resigned to the fact a new pool surface was necessary. The Pool Stain Removers came through with a self applied chemical treatment that removed stains within 5 days! Process requires a little attention for a few days and is not labor intensive. For those of you dealing with pool stains, please contact Wade and he will solve your issues. This is my first recommendation ever on Facebook. Please give them a try.
★★★★★
I wish I had some before and after photos to share, but I don't. This product worked fantastic! We have an inground pool and had used copper based algaecide which combined with shock left mottled blue stains and some darker stains all over the plaster surface. It looked terrible. We tried everything and I had resigned myself to the possibility of draining the pool and acid washing. Then my wife found this online and we decided to give it a shot. After about two weeks, the surface looked as good as new. In addition to the product being very effective, the support I received was first rate as well. Hopefully I won't mess the pool up again, but if I do, I know where to go for help!
★★★★★
After owning our property for 20 years i was skeptical as to whether these products would work. I cant believe the difference and my pool has never looked so good. Would highly recommend The Pool Stain Removers
★★★★★
Our pool sides and bottom were stained due to either garden run-off or rotting vegetation after a particularly stormy and wet winter. Not badly but it was plainly obvious. The stain could be removed by vigorous rubbing with a nylon scourer but that obviously wasn't and option for the whole pool. Pool Stain Removers treatment was easy to apply and worked perfectly.
Even though the staining wasn't bad, now that it's gone our pool looks pristine, brighter and bluer.
★★★★★
I rarely review at 5 stars but this product does exactly what it says on the tin. Use it properly and it works wonders. We are ordering again to retreat our heavily used family Pebblecrete pool… nearly 6 years later.
★★★★★
I can't say enough about this company, product and owner, Wade. After being so discouraged about the unsightly scaling in my pool, I was fortunate to take a chance on Pool Stain Removers. Wade walked me through the whole process and answered numerous questions...he was so kind, patient and knowledgeable. My pool now looks 100% better and I never had to do an acid wash or hot start...just this amazing product! I am so very grateful and highly recommended!
Our Company Credentials
Approved contractors for commercial and public pools.
Proven results since 2013 in over 20,000 pools across Australia.
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After
What if my stains are not from salt?
Not sure if salt caused your stain? Don’t worry, our products combine seven active ingredients to remove up to 14 different types of stains. These include, blue/green stains from copper, iron, organic matter, algae, salt, and tannins. So, even if your pool has more than one stain type, our salt stain treatment handles them all.
Older stains that have combined with minerals and metals over time are often the hardest to shift. The good news is, our treatment handles those old stains too.
Every kit also includes a polymer-based stain prevention liquid to keep the surface clean and stop the stains from coming back.
The 5 signs of salt staining
- Brown stains that won’t brush away
- Does not fade away over time
- Stains appear where you normally add salt
- Water turns murky soon after salt is added
- The salt you used seemed damp or discoloured
As the images show, we remove salt stains from swimming pool surfaces without draining or acid washing. Our treatment is a fraction of the cost of a pool acid wash and it doesn’t damage your pool surface. You also won’t be left with a huge water bill from refilling the pool.
If you are unsure of the type of stain you have, please feel free to contact us. There is no cost or obligation.
Isn't all pool salt the same?
Pool owners often fall into the trap of believing “salt is salt” meaning that there’s no real difference between cheap or better brands. In reality, three factors separate quality salt from the cheap stuff sold at big hardware stores:
Moisture Content: Salt is sold by weight, and cheap brands often have high moisture levels (the bag feels damp and heavy). In effect, you’re paying premium prices for water, not pure salt.
Purity Levels: Salt is graded by purity so the cheaper the bag, the more contaminants it contains. The salt may look ok sitting in the bag, but once added to the pool, those impurities reveal themselves, showing up as cloudiness or staining.
False Economy: Most pool owners use about 15 bags of salt per year. High-quality salt is drier and purer, so you’re getting more actual salt in every bag. When buying cheap salt, don’t forget to factor in the “water weight”. Quality salt turns out to be the cheaper option in the long run because you’re not paying for water or staining your pool.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about our products. Please feel free to call us if you would like further information.
Why does salt cause stains in my pool?
It’s not the salt that causes stains, it’s the impurities in it. Cheap or low-grade pool salt often contains trace metals and mineral contaminants that plate out onto the pool surface, especially if the water isn’t properly balanced or the salt isn’t fully dissolved before it settles.
Will using better-quality salt stop staining from happening again?
Quality salt reduces the stain risk, since high-purity salt has fewer contaminants to plate out in the first place. However, it’s not a complete guarantee. Balancing your pool water before adding salt and fully dissolving it (rather than letting it settle) both play a big role in preventing new stains too.
How long do we wait before we can swim again?
You can safely swim again after 7 days. Even though our products are safe for swimmers, during the first 7 days the pH is low and it is working hard to break down the stains. It is best to stay out of the water during this time as the low pH may be uncomfortable for some swimmers.
How is your product different from store-bought stain removers?
At our Strathfield, NSW manufacturing facility, we blend seven active ingredients to create our powerful stain remover. Most pool shop stain removers rely on a single, weak organic acids like citric acid, to remove stains. Our unique, broad spectrum blend is significantly stronger and works on up to 14 different types of stains. We tackle a broader range of stains, which is why almost all of our clients see great results. In 2025, 8 out of 10 clients had already tried another stain remover before using our product.
I live outside your service areas. What do I do?
We can still help you because we send our kits all over Australia. More than 90% of our clients use the DIY kit because it is so simple. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions and a short video showing you exactly what to do.
Causes of salt stains in pools
Contaminated swimming pool salt.
Cheap pool salt often has large, light brown crystals that take longer to dissolve. The longer they sit on the pool floor, the more likely they are to cause staining. Always make sure your salt is fully dissolved rather than left to settle on the pool floor. Low-quality salts can also leave behind a light brown haze on the pool surface as the minerals break down.
Adding salt the wrong way.
Some pool owners pour the entire bag of salt in at the shallow end, hoping water flow will dissolve it over time. It’s an easy mistake to make, but concentrated salt stains are one of the most common types of staining we see. To avoid this, disperse the salt around the entire pool and brush it until fully dissolved. Good quality, fine salt should dissolve quickly. If you find yourself brushing for a long time to get it to dissolve, that’s usually a sign it’s worth trying a different brand.
Contaminated or mineral-rich salt crystals.
Cheap salt can often has larger discoloured crystals in the bag. Even the best-quality salt will have the occasional contamination but if you find this happening often, it may be worth changing your salt brand. Remember: cheap salt is cheap for a reason.
Balance the pool before adding salt
When pool water has a high pH, it loses its ability to hold minerals and metals in suspension. This causes the brown minerals and metals (in pool salt) to plate out (or precipitate) onto the pool surface, leaving a dark stain. As a result, salt staining typically presents as a dirty brown or dark grey colour. Always balance your pool water before adding salt to help prevent this from happening to you.
If you have white stains or lumps in your pool, you’re most likely dealing with calcium buildup. We can help with that too.
News & Blog
This series of articles in our swimming pool blog discusses some common questions that clients ask our technicians. We hope that this information is useful and saves you time and money.
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Pool Water Cloudy? Here’s how to fix it [Updated 2026]
Our technician visited a green pool last year that had five times the normal chlorine level and was still green! Why? The pH of the
