Advice on removal of solid safety cover?

hi all,

i'm an experienced pool-opener-guy, but this is my first year with a safety cover (solid with one mesh panel). i sure don't miss those freaking water bags or the ugly swamp of rotted leaves on the cover, i can tell you that.

anyhow, i'm hoping to get some advice on the best approach for cleaning and storage of the cover. my installer guy said we should brush and spray it clean while still on the pool then remove. sound right? as for storage, do we need to let it dry before rolling it up? i've read it both ways on manufacturer's websites. leave springs attached or remove them? anything else i should consider would be appreciated as well.

thanks!

While it's possible to clean the cover while it's on the pool - I find it easier to stretch it out on the driveway (or a large enough section of yard - but you can't let it sit more than ~ 1 hour, or you'll kill the grass) - this gives you a better opportunity to scrub any stubborn spots (think birds). Once the top is dry, all you have to do is flip the cover over so the bottom can dry. Once both sides are dry fold up the cover - *method -- with the cover spread out top side up, you and a helper will grab the 3rd strap from the end and draw it back to the shallow end strap (this creates a fold the size of the panels ) keep doing this until the entire cover is a panel's-width wide then fold it from each end into the middle (~ 1/2 panel fold --- you now have a nice little package that will slide into the bag they provided and next fall all you have to do is place the cover at the center of the shallow end and it almost unfolds itself across the pool:D )

No need to remove the springs, you'd just have to reinstall them next fall! The bag should be stored where mice and carpenter ants won't get to it as they will nest in the cover and chew holes in it!!!

When you go to screw down the grommets that hold the springs, make sure that they are debris free so they go down easily and will come back up easily in the fall.

I am intrigued by the idea of washing the solid cover while still on the pool . . . what types of cleaning products can be used that would be safe for the water below?