Filter cleaning guide
How to clean Unicel filter cartridges
Unicel replacement cartridges cover practically every pool and spa filter on the market, which is why so many service trucks carry them. Whatever tank they are in, the cleaning job is the same: get the pleats clean to the base, or watch the pressure creep back within days.
This is the deep-clean process for a Unicel cartridge, and where the HALO360 changes the math on a full route.
Step by step
Cleaning a Unicel 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 Unicel cartridges?
Yes. Unicel cartridges are standard pleated elements, and standard pleated elements are what the HALO360 is engineered for: garden hose connected, 40 to 110 psi, with six custom-engineered nozzles driving a focused 25-degree fan spray to the bottom of every pleat.
For a tech cleaning multiple cartridges a day, the difference adds up: a deeper, faster clean per filter, and up to 150 gallons of water saved per filter versus cleaning by hand.
Pro tips
From the field
- Clean cartridges at the truck when a customer's spigot has weak pressure; the HALO360's gauge tells you instantly if a spigot is in range.
- Rinse from multiple angles at the end cap seams where debris wedges.
- Track which pools chew through cartridges fastest; it usually points at a chemistry or run-time problem worth fixing for the customer.
Questions
Unicel cartridge FAQ
- What water pressure do I need to clean a Unicel cartridge properly?
- Standard garden hose pressure. The HALO360 operates from 40 to 110 psi on a 5/8 or 3/4 inch hose up to 50 feet, and its integrated gauge shows what you are actually getting at the tool.
- Why does my Unicel cartridge clog again right after cleaning?
- Usually because the clean only reached the outer pleat surface. Dirt packed at the pleat base re-releases into the flow path. A deep clean to the base of the pleats, which is what the HALO360's focused fan spray is for, fixes the short-cycle pattern.
More guides: Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, Pleatco, Pentair Clean & Clear
Ready when you are
Cut this job in half
The HALO360 deep-cleans Unicel cartridges on standard garden hose pressure. Order direct from the maker for $599.