Scrubbing a Pool

The winter before last the cover didn't get on our pool and last year I spent all summer fighting the alge, it never truely got totally clear so I'd like to drain it and scrub it this year. However I can't afford all the fancy products at the pool store as it is a very large pool. What can I use to do this. I've heard Borax can this do the job. I want to get all the alge off the sides. I also heard Clorox but then was told it wouldn't be strong enough. Can anyone give me any tips? I don't want to power wash as there are already chips in the bottom concrete/plaster.