How to Clean a Salt Cell

Introduction: Clearing the Waters on the Myths of Saltwater Pool Corrosion

Your saltwater chlorinator has suddenly had a Check Cell or other similar warning light turn red, or maybe you were looking over your salt system and see substantial scaling on your salt cell - it’s time to clean your cell. If it’s your first time dealing with this aspect of pool maintenance, then you need to know just how to clean a pool’s salt cell. Never fear, it’s an easy part of your pool maintenance as we’ll explain below in six simple steps*.

There are two basic styles of salt cells, the “inline” style (like a tube) which usually can be cleaned with a “Cleaning Stand” - typically sold separately - or, the exposed “electrode” style which is cleaned in an open container or bucket.

How To Clean Inline Salt Cells, Step-By-Step

1. Shut off power to your pool system, disconnect the cell’s cable from the control module, and remove the cell from the plumbing. Once removed, inspect the overall condition and integrity of the cell and all of its connections, then rinse it with a hose to dislodge any loose deposits or debris trapped between the cell plates, or “blades.”

2. Blend a mixture of 4 parts water with 1 part Muriatic Acid**, unless your owner’s manual specifies a different ratio. For many cells, you may want to mix enough to make 1.25 quarts (4 cups water, 1 cup acid).

CAUTION: When cleaning the Cell always wear adequate protection, such as rubber gloves and eye protection. Always add acid to water, do not add water to acid. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Splashing or spilling acid can cause severe personal injury and/or property damage. WARNING: Do not insert anything or use metal or other hard objects to clean the cell, this will void the warranty.

3. If you don’t have a cleaning stand or cap, then proceed to the instructions for Electrode-style Cells. If you have a cleaning stand, attach it to the cell, stand it upright and make sure it is secure. You may wish to put this assembly in a container such as a 5 gallon bucket for extra protection. Then fill the cell until the blades are fully covered. Unless your owner’s manual says otherwise, allow the cell to soak for 15-20 minutes, during which time you should see some fizzing or bubbling around the blades. If your owner’s manual specifies a different time period, then again, defer to the manufacturer’s recommendation.




4. Empty the solution from the cell. Dispose of the solution by pouring it into the pool, and then rinse the cell with fresh water.

5. Be sure to Rinse the cell and your work area with fresh water. Inspect the cell to ensure there is no visible scaling or debris between the plates, and proceed to reinstall it unless there are still visible deposits on the salt cell. A particularly dirty cell may not clean in one or two sessions. Continue cleaning if visible scaling remains. Otherwise you’re ready to resume chlorine production.

TIP: If you want to be sure the cell is fully cleaned, begin the cleaning process again. This would be recommended if you had heavy build-up, or especially if the system still gives a warning light after hooking things back up. Use fresh*** acid solution when cleaning the cell a second time if you’re using a cleaning stand. Within the first minute, or so, you may see the same fizzing or bubbling, in which case you should allow the cell to keep soaking until the fizzing stops, up to the typical 15-20 minutes. However, if upon cleaning a second time there is no renewed reaction on the blades, then halt any further cleaning - this indicates there is no more scaling for the freshly-mixed acid solution to dissolve.

6. Reinstall the salt cell by reattaching it to its plumbing connection. Be sure that all o-rings are present, free of damage, and clean. Reconnect the cell to its control module. Restore power to the pool system. Ensure that there are no leaks when the pump runs. Allow the system to run for 5-10 minutes, and confirm that no more warning lights or system errors occur on the salt chlorinator.

With a sparkling clean cell back in place you should be all set for months of carefree pool life. If you live in an area where you winterize, you may find it convenient to acid wash your salt cell again when you close for the winter or perhaps when you open in the spring.

How To Clean Electrode-Style Cells, Step-By-Step

1. Shut off power to your pool system, disconnect the cell’s cable from the control module, and remove the cell from the plumbing. Once removed, inspect the overall condition and integrity of the cell and all of its connections, then rinse it with a hose to dislodge any loose deposits or debris trapped between the cell plates, or “blades.”

If your salt chlorine generator came with a cleaning stick or wand then carefully scrape deposits off the blades and rinse again when complete. If you have lost or misplaced the cleaner, you may substitute a suitable piece of plastic or wood - never anything metal or anything that may scratch the cell blades.

2. Blend a mixture of 4 parts water with 1 part Muriatic Acid**, unless your owner’s manual specifies a different ratio. For many cells, you may want to mix enough to make __ quarts.

CAUTION: When cleaning the Cell always wear adequate protection, such as rubber gloves and eye protection. Always add acid to water, do not add water to acid. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Splashing or spilling acid can cause severe personal injury and/or property damage. WARNING: Do not insert anything or use metal or other hard objects to clean the cell, this will void the warranty.

3. Place the cell in your cleaning container with the cord up and out, and then fill the container until the cell blades are fully immersed. Unless your owner’s manual says otherwise, allow the cell to soak for 15-20 minutes, during which time you should see some fizzing or bubbling around the blades. If your owner’s manual specifies a different time period, then again, defer to the manufacturer’s recommendation.



4. Remove the cell from the solution. Dispose of the solution by pouring it into the pool, and then rinse the cell with fresh water.

5. Be sure to Rinse the cell and your work area with fresh water. Inspect the cell to ensure there is no visible scaling or debris between the plates, and proceed to reinstall it unless there are still visible deposits on the salt cell. A particularly dirty cell may not clean in one or two sessions. Continue cleaning if visible scaling remains. Otherwise you’re ready to resume chlorine production.

TIP: If you want to be sure the cell is fully cleaned, begin the cleaning process again. This would be recommended if you had heavy build-up, or especially if the system still gives a warning light after hooking things back up. Use fresh*** acid solution when cleaning the cell a second time if you’re using a cleaning stand. Within the first minute, or so, you may see the same fizzing or bubbling, in which case you should allow the cell to keep soaking until the fizzing stops, up to the typical 15-20 minutes. However, if upon cleaning a second time there is no renewed reaction on the blades, then halt any further cleaning - this indicates there is no more scaling for the freshly-mixed acid solution to dissolve.

6. Reinstall the salt cell by reattaching it to its plumbing connection. Be sure that all o-rings are present, free of damage, and clean. Reconnect the cell to its control module. Restore power to the pool system. Ensure that there are no leaks when the pump runs. Allow the system to run for 5-10 minutes, and confirm that no more warning lights or system errors occur on the salt chlorinator.




With a sparkling clean cell back in place you should be all set for months of carefree pool life. If you live in an area where you winterize, you may find it convenient to acid wash your salt cell again when you close for the winter or perhaps when you open in the spring.

_{* Important: This generic guide is not a substitute for a product manual. Always follow the instructions as printed in the product manual of your salt chlorinator, which will vary by model. Follow all safety precautions outlined in your product manual.}

_{** Muriatic acid is commonly available at a concentration of around 14.5%, but sometimes at around 28%. If you have purchased the higher concentration acid, then the cleaning solution should be 8:1 water-to-acid instead of the normal 4:1.}

_{*** The smaller volume of solution contained inside the cell may have depleted its potency.}

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