If you have an above-ground pool, you already know how costly it can become to maintain it. In addition, after owning the pool for awhile, you’ll realize that you can acquire quite a few pool accessories, too. Who needs the extra expense of buying accessory storage units, too? There’s no need to buy them, though, so breathe a sigh of relief. Make them yourself and you’ll have exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost.
If your above-ground pool has a deck built all the way around it, the following accessory holders may not work for you. Instead, plastic storage bins, with lids, are inexpensive, and can hold chemicals while keeping them away from pets and children. Although you don’t make the storage bins yourself, they can come in real handy for storing things that aren’t used on a daily basis. The lidded containers prevent rainwater from reaching the contents, and if you purchase ones that are extremely sturdy, you can make a bench seat, for kids, out of them.
For day-to-day pool accessory storage, for pools with no deck, or partial decks, there are any number of holders you can make, starting with “S” hooks. The design of the “S” hook allows one end of the hook to easily hang over the edge of the pool. The opposite curve of the hook can hold any number of things that will help you organize your pool accessories.
Hang two “S” hooks on the side of the pool. Purchase wire baskets from dollar theme or discount stores. These wire baskets easily hang on the “S” hooks and can hold everything from test strips to swimming goggles. The baskets are perfect for storing swimming masks, child snorkels – even cell phones, watches and jewelry. Keep a couple of zipper bags in the baskets to prevent personal items dry.
An easy way to store floats, pool noodles and similar large items begins with “S” hooks and a net-type arrangement. You can purchase nets that specifically hold stuffed animals. These small hammock-like nets, stretched between two “S” hooks, makes for a great way to keep pool toys off the ground and out of the pool when not needed.
The great thing about using “S” hooks to hang things from the pool is that you can scoot them together, or pull them further apart, in accordance to what you need. And, you can hang just the hooks, all around the pool, to hold visitors’ goggles, towels, coverups, and more. There’s plenty of room for lots of hooks, so after hanging them all around the pool, hang baskets on some, hang nets on some, and leave some empty for guests.
Hang one wire basket, which will be a drink holder, then hang another that can hold a stack of dry towels. Clip a piece of plastic, like from a tablecloth, directly onto the basket, so it can cover the towels and keep them dry. Do the same with the drink holder, or use special glasses with lids.
Most helpful baskets, that aren’t too large, can be purchased for under five bucks each, with some of them costing merely a dollar. Look for the types of wire baskets that are plastic-coated so they won’t leave rust spots on the side of the pool. “S” hooks should also be the plastic-coated type. For the baskets, you can also use plastic types, although they may not hold up as well as the wire baskets.
Anyone with a pool has lots of pool accessories, but there’s no reason for the pool owner to spend a fortune on storing them. Purchase multi-packs of large “S” hooks, several small baskets and nets, then get busy making your own pool accessory storage containers. You’ll not only save a ton of money, you’ll be able to design exactly the type of storage you need.
Reference:
- Purchase “S” hooks online: www.lowes.com
