Filter cleaning guide
How to clean Pleatco filter cartridges
Pleatco makes replacement cartridges that fit a huge range of pool and spa filters, and pros buy them for the media quality. That quality only pays off if the pleats actually get cleaned to the base instead of surface-rinsed.
Here is how to get the full service life out of a Pleatco cartridge, and how the HALO360 makes each clean faster and more thorough.
Step by step
Cleaning a Pleatco cartridge, step by step
Step 1
Shut down and open the tank
Turn the pump off, release pressure at the air relief valve, and open the filter tank. Lift the cartridge (or cartridge cluster) out and set it where runoff can drain away from the pool.
Step 2
Connect the HALO360 to a garden hose
The HALO360 runs on standard garden hose pressure, 40 to 110 psi, with a 5/8 or 3/4 inch hose up to 50 feet. Open the integrated ball valve and check the pressure gauge.
Step 3
Work the pleats top to bottom
The focused 25-degree fan spray from the six custom-engineered nozzles drives water to the base of the pleats, lifting out packed dirt, oils, and debris without damaging the media. Rotate the cartridge and work each band until the water runs clear.
Step 4
Inspect before reinstalling
Check the end caps, the band, and the pleat fabric for cracks, tears, or flattened pleats. A cartridge that is damaged or has years of service should be replaced rather than cleaned.
Fit
Does the HALO360 work on Pleatco cartridges?
Yes. Pleatco replacement cartridges are standard pleated elements, exactly what the HALO360 cleans. Garden hose in, 40 to 110 psi, and the focused 25-degree fan spray flushes the dirt packed at the pleat base that shortens a cartridge's life when it is left behind.
Deep cleaning is also the honest way to protect the cartridge investment: media that is regularly cleaned to the base holds its flow longer before replacement, and each HALO360 clean uses up to 150 gallons less water than cleaning by hand.
Pro tips
From the field
- Follow the pleat count: dense-pleated Pleatco elements especially benefit from a focused spray, because hand rinsing cannot open tight pleats.
- Let spa cartridges dry fully between rotations; dried oils release better on the next clean.
- Keep the old cartridge as an emergency spare after replacing it, but label it honestly as worn.
Questions
Pleatco cartridge FAQ
- How long do Pleatco cartridges last with regular cleaning?
- Service life varies with load and water chemistry, so we will not promise a number. The honest rule: when a freshly deep-cleaned cartridge no longer restores normal pressure and flow, the media is done.
- Do I need special chemicals to clean a Pleatco cartridge?
- Routine cleans need only thorough mechanical cleaning with garden hose pressure. Periodic soaks in a purpose-made filter cleaner help with oils and scale; rinse well afterward.
More guides: Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, Unicel, Pentair Clean & Clear
Ready when you are
Cut this job in half
The HALO360 deep-cleans Pleatco cartridges on standard garden hose pressure. Order direct from the maker for $599.