Our pool is always busy during the summer. Every day, kids come to the pool and head straight for our storage container, grab toys and floaties and start having fun. However, when the fun ends everything they pulled out is left in the pool and I’m often tempted to leave their floaties and toy right there.
You should never leave pool toys, noodles, or floats in the pool. The water and sun’s UV rays can damage the toys and even break down their microplastics, releasing toxins into the water. In addition, floats and toys can clog your skimmer or travel to your pool’s filter and pump systems causing extensive damage.
Summertime is the perfect time to take advantage of swimming pools. Not only is it a great way to cool down, but it’s also a lot of fun. If you have children, they’re probably eager to get in the pool and start playing. One thing to keep in mind is pool storage to keep all of their floats and toys when they’re not using them. Here are some tips for storing pool floats and toys.
In this guide, we discuss
- Should you leave pool floats in the pool?
- How do you store water inflatables? How do you store pool toys and floats?
- Best storage bins you keep poolside
Should You Leave Pool Floats in the Pool?
Pool owners face a common dilemma – whether to leave pool floats in the pool or take them out after use. On the one hand, leaving floats in the pool can be convenient, because they will be on hand when you need them. However, there are also several disadvantages to this approach.
Pool floaties can leach toxic chemicals into the water
Pool floaties, toys, dive rings, inflatables, noodles, and beach balls are mostly made of plastic and rubber. When left in the water for a long, they could release chemicals like phthalates into the pool. Some cheap toys could even also melt under the sun’s harsh rays if you live in areas with high temperatures.
Most pool toys are made using PVC or polyvinyl chloride. To soften them, manufacturers also add plasticizers like phthalates to them.
Some people are allergic to these plasticizers and could suffer from skin rashes, headaches, etc. Prolonged exposure to phthalates has even been linked to breast cancer and birth defects.
Pool floaties increase the risk of drowning for kids and pets
Pool toys have an attractive color for a reason – to attract kids. If you have an open pool with pool toys floating about, a young toddler (or a puppy) might jump into the water. This could increase the risk of drowning.
Many inflatables and pool dive rings also give a false sense of security to parents. They believe their children are safe due to the floaties and dive rings, often causing them to leave young kids unsupervised around the pools, leading to mishaps.
They can clog your waterline or damage the filter
My pool stopped circulating water. I pulled out my inline cartridge filter basket, cleaned it, and restarted the pump, but nothing. I still had no circulation, next I checked my skimmer basket to ensure it wasn’t clogged and found a float sucked against the return shutting off the water flow to the skimmer.
Toys and floats can end up choking the water line or get shredded by the pool’s filter. The plastic parts could then choke the filter resulting in extensive damage that is extremely costly to repair.
If I hadn’t been home my pump could have burned up because I left floats in the pool. So, remove the toys and floats from your pool daily.
They could gather mildew and mold
Leaving float toys in the pool can increase the risk of algae and mold accumulation on them. If you do not clean and dry the pool toys a child or an adult using the toys or floats might get those spores on their skin and clothes. A child may even accidentally lick the moldy toys or inhale these spores.
Fungal and mold spores spread easily harming the elderly and susceptible individuals having weak immunities. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause symptoms like breathing difficulties, watery eyes, runny nose, itching, headaches, and fatigue.
The toys and floats could get damaged
Leaving toys and floats in the water could eventually damage them. Water and harsh sun rays beating down on them can weaken the toys’ structure and even deflate them. Heat can also cause the inflatables to expand and pop.
How to Store Pool Toys, Floats, and Inflatables?
Summertime fun can be greatly enhanced by using floaties, toys, and pool inflatables. But when it is time to close the pool, it is important to store them properly. Not only will proper storage keep your pool clean and mess-free, but it will also minimize the damages and risks mentioned above.
Tips for storing pool toys
- Deflate the toy completely.
- Wash them with warm water and soap. You can soak the deflated toys in a soapy solution for a couple of hours.
- Rinse them with clean water.
- Dry the toys completely. You can leave them out in the sun before storing them.
There are several methods for storing pool toys and floats but the following two are our favorites:
Wooden pallets or hooks on the fence
Wood pallets are a great way of hanging up dive rings, noodles, and even the pool skimmer net poles. You can also arrange the wooden pallets to hold extra towels, swimming goggles, and other accessories for kids (and adults) to find them easily the next time they use the pool.
The advantage of using wood pallets is that they free up the floor space around your pool. You can also have them in various colors to enhance your yard’s decor.
Portable/stationary storage bins and baskets
If you have plenty of space around the pool, you can use storage baskets or containers that are specially designed to store inflatables and noodles. They are made with a high-quality mesh design that can prevent their color from fading.
These containers even come with rollers or wheels for portability. Many storage units have multiple pockets to hold balls, toys, and inflatables of various shapes and sizes. Most have holes for ventilation to prevent the toys from accumulating mold.
Best Storage Bins for Pool Floats and Toys
If you have a pool, you know that keeping it clean and organized can be a challenge. Pool floats and toys are especially difficult to keep track of, since they’re often used in the water and then left out to dry. A good storage solution is essential for keeping your pool area tidy. Here are some of the best storage bins for pool floats and toys:
Keter Borneo 110 Gallon Resin Deck Box
This is the storage box I have to store our floats and toys. It was easy to assemble and has worked well so far. It’s big enough to store a lot of toys; we don’t even let the air out of our floaties.
This Keter Borneo 110-gallon deck box is a great addition to your outdoor area. This large storage box is ideal for storing all of your toys, floaties, and more. The weather-resistant resin construction prevents rusting, peeling, and denting.
The top is easy to lift, and its soft-close mechanism makes it easy for kids to get their goodies out quickly and safely. After using this storage container for a year, I don’t have any negatives.
However, if I expect to keep something in it for a long time, I typically let it dry first because this container doesn’t have much air circulation, which could lead to molding.
Improvements Modern Blue Pool Storage Bin
This outdoor storage bin from Improvements Store has received hundreds of positive reviews with a 4+ star rating.
It is made using a durable mesh that allows water to drip from wet toys and dries them quickly.
Improvements storage bin also has multiple pockets for small items like swim goggles. It comes with 4 sturdy casters to let you roll the bin from one place to another. Additionally, it comes with legs that keep the bin off the floor.
Features
- Extra large bin meaures 36″L x 36″H x 24″D
- Lightweight measures less than 6 lb.
- Parts come in labeled bags for easy assembly
Pros
- Versatile
- Easy to assemble
- Portable
- Sturdy
- Dries wet floats and noodles quickly
Cons
- The bin may be deep for younger kids. (see tip below)
Expert tips
- The bin is deep for small kids. However, it is lightweight so they can tip it over to reach items at the bottom
- Use a mallet or hammer to put the pipes in place.
How it compares
Improvements Modern Blue Pool Storage Bin is sturdy, well-made, and functional. Its mesh design lets the water out to dry your pool floats and toys quickly. The portable bin is easy for kids to move from one place to another. It is also reasonably priced.
Essentially Yours Rolling Pool Storage Organizer Bin
This rolling bin poolside storage organizer bin from Essentially Yours has been designed with durability in mind. The following factors make it long-lasting: it is made with sturdy PVC and a strong nylon mesh, it is also guaranteed to provide ultimate sun and UV protection, and it also has a weather-proof construction.
Essentially Yours rolling pool storage bin also comes with lockable casters that ensure stability and easy placement.
It features several pockets to keep small and large items. Its assembly is also easy and you won’t need any special tools for it.
Features
- Available in 4 colors
- 24″x 24″x 42″ (LxWxH).
- 2 caster wheels on each side – one side wheels lock.
Pros
- Easy to assemble – no tools needed
- Lightweight and easily maneuverable
- Sturdy
- Portable with locking feature
- Value for money
Cons
- Instructions for assembly are lacking
Expert Tips
- On windy days, the storage bin tends to move around. Use some zip ties to weigh it down.
How it compares
Essentially Yours Rolling Pool Storage Organizer Bin is a medium-sized storage bin for pool floats and noodles. The bin comes with wheels so you can roll it near the pool while you are in – easy to access whatever you need. Your wet toys and floats can also dry quickly in the ventilated mesh bin. It is a durable pool storage bin without a high price tag.
KITLIFE Pool Storage Bin – Rolling Poolside Mesh Container for Toys
Want a lightweight mid-sized container bin for kids’ pool toys, floats, and noodles? Then you will love this mesh container from KITLIFE. It is made with newly improved mesh fabric that is sun-resistant and weatherproof.
Check out its other top features:
Features
- 36 x 24 x 36 inches
- Made with UV-resistant fabric that resists cracking and fading
- Weighs less than 5 lb.
- Includes a bonus large mesh bag of 36 x 24 inches
- It also includes 4 extra wheels in case the existing ones break; wheels also lock for stability.
- Available in 2 colors
Pros
- Tall enough for noodles and wide enough for floats
- Easy to access small toys due to outer small pockets
- Durable and sturdy
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Colors may be different from the ones on the screen.
Expert Tips
- Includes super glue to hold pipes firmly in place.
How it compares
KITLIFE pool caddy holds up in bad weather and is resistant to fading and cracking. The storage bin with extra wheels is also convenient in case the existing wheels break. The lightweight caddy will hold all your pool floats in place and keep things well-organized. The price is slightly higher than the above entries.
Best Premium: Crosley Outdoor Wicker Rolling Pool Float Caddy
Crosley Outdoor wicker rolling pool caddy is not like the other mesh storage bins. It is made of a durable powder-coated steel frame and long-lasting wicker. The caddy is portable due to its sturdy casters. All materials are also resistant to fading and rusting.
Features
- Made using a durable powder-coated steel frame and weather-proof wicker
- 29.5 x 37.5 x 44 inches; 12-inch wide slots
- 38 lb.
- Available in 3 attractive colors.
Pros
- Very spacious – holds large and small floats, toys, noodles, paddle boards, etc.
- Lasts for several seasons to come; UV and fade resistant
Cons
- May need a drill for assembling.
How it compares
At more than $200, the Crosley wicker rolling caddy may seem pricey. However, it lasts for several seasons to come and is a complete value for money. You can organize all your pool toys in an attractive and neat manner with this elegant storage caddy.
Best Budget: MESH TITAN Pool Float Storage Organizer
If you do not have adequate floor space, then a hanging storage organizer is what you need. The MESH TITAN hanging organizer can hold almost 150 gallons of floats. It even expands to hold larger inflatables and floaties, and you can easily store noodles or rafts over 60 inches.
Features
- 2 color sizes
- Several mounting options
- Heavy-duty mesh with a durable and strong elastic band that you can replace if it is broken
- An inner support system to prevent sagging
- Enormous expanding ability – can hold up to 150 gallons.
- Dual hook and buckles to hang anywhere
- Side straps to prevent swaying too much in bad weather
Pros
- Heavy-duty
- Customizable
- Expandable
- Versatile
- Durable and sturdy
- Affordable price
Cons
- Confusing straps in all directions make assembling and hanging up tedious.
How it compares
If you hang it in the right place, the MESH TITAN hanging storage bag will help your kids access whatever they want to drag in the pool without getting out. It also expands a lot, so you can fit all your pool things in it easily. Once you assemble and install it, cleaning up the pool will be so much easier! MESH TITAN pool mesh storage bag is also a lot cheaper than most entries here.
Conclusion – Pool Storage for Floats and Toys
Never let your pool floats, toys, noodles, and other inflatables remain in the pool. Collect them and place them in pool caddies, air-tight containers with ventilation, or mesh storage bins. Mesh storage bins are affordable and functional. They allow your pool toys to dry quickly and also make them easy to access for your kids.
We recommend the Keter Borneo 110 Gallon Resin Deck Box as it is sturdy, well-made, and functional. Its top design is safe and easy for kids to use. This portable bin is also easy to move from one place to another and is reasonably priced.
For a premium pool storage caddy, go for the Crosley Outdoor Wicker Rolling Pool Float Caddy. It is sure to for several seasons to come and is a complete value for money. You can organize all your pool toys in an attractive and neat manner with this elegant storage caddy.
Do check out our other recommendations as well.
Below is a YouTube video that provides some DIY pool storage ideas.
FAQs – Pool Storage for Floats and Toys
Is it OK to leave pool floats in the pool?
No, never leave pool stuff in the pool as the plastic could break down and release phthalates in the water.
Should you deflate pool floats before storage?
Yes, it is important to deflate pool floats prior to storing them as they may deflate or pop due to weather and temperature changes. Make sure you dry them completely to prevent mildew and mold.