Your pool looks fine until the chlorinator light starts flashing, your chlorine levels drop, and white scale starts forming on the cell plates. These are all signs your system’s working overtime and not in a good way.
Salt cells don’t stay clean forever. Over time, minerals, especially in Perth’s hard water, form deposits on the cell plates, slowing down chlorine production and putting stress on your pool system.
Knowing how to clean a salt chlorinator cell is one of the simplest ways to keep your water healthy, your equipment efficient, and your summer stress-free. Here’s how to do it right, and when it’s time to call in the pros.
Key Takeaways
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Salt chlorinator cells turn dissolved salt into chlorine, sanitising your pool.
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Over time, calcium builds up on the plates and reduces efficiency.
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Clean your cell every 3–6 months to maintain output and avoid damage.
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Use safe, purpose-made solutions like Saf-T-Cell, never metal tools or strong acids.
What Does a Salt Chlorinator Cell Do?
Think of the salt cell as your pool’s built-in chlorine generator. It uses electrolysis to convert salt into chlorine as water flows through the system; no manual dosing needed.
But that process also attracts calcium, especially in WA’s hard water. Over time, this forms a crusty build-up on the plates. When that happens, the cell has to work harder to produce the same results until it eventually can’t.
Why Salt Cell Cleaning Matters
As calcium builds up on the cell plates, your salt chlorinator becomes less efficient. The system may run longer to produce the same amount of chlorine, which increases wear and operating costs.
Regular cleaning helps:
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Maintain consistent chlorine levels
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Reduce energy use
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Support overall system performance
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Minimise the risk of early cell replacement
It's a small task that supports the long-term health of your pool equipment.
How Often Should You Clean It?
For most Perth pools, an inspection every 3–6 months is ideal. However, cell age and local water hardness may mean you need to do it more frequently.
Look out for these signs:
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White or chalky scale is visible on the plates.
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Chlorinator showing ‘Low Output' or ‘Service Cell' alerts.
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Reduced chlorine levels (below 1.5–3.0 ppm) despite correct salt readings.
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Sluggish water flow through the cell housing.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
How do you clean a salt chlorinator cell safely? The process is straightforward when you follow the right steps, and it is one of the simplest ways to extend the life of your equipment.
What You’ll Need:
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Recommended cleaning solution: We suggest Saf-T-Cell, a blend of acids and buffers designed to safely remove scale without damaging the plates.
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Safety gear: Use appropriate PPE, including gloves and eyewear, as pool chemicals can react dangerously.
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Tools: A plastic container for soaking and a hose with a fine jet nozzle.
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Pro Tip: Use a wooden or plastic probe to remove stubborn scale; never use metal tools, as these will damage the electrode coating.
The Procedure:
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Safety First: Turn off the pump and close any valves to prevent water loss.
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Removal: Carefully remove the cell electrodes or the entire cell housing according to the manufacturer's configuration.
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Manual Clean: Use a plastic probe to gently dislodge large deposits and hose the electrodes with a fine jet of water.
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The Soak: Fill your container with a pre-mixed solution (like Saf-T-Cell) and immerse the cell plates. The solution will bubble while active; replace it once the bubbling stops until the plates are completely clean.
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Rinse & Reinstall: Hose down the plates with fresh water and reinstall them into the return line.
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Restart: Open your valves and restart the pump. Check that the chlorinator is producing satisfactorily and adjust salt levels to the specified concentration if needed.
Can You Prevent Build-Up?
You can't stop calcium scale entirely, but you can manage it. Adding Aquashield 3 at a rate of 1 litre per 50,000 litres of pool water will help reduce the severity of calcium scale buildup. Keeping your pH between 7.2 and 7.6 also ensures that your chlorine remains effective and the water stays balanced.
When to Call in the Professionals
There’s no shame in handing this job over. If you’re not comfortable removing or cleaning your cell or the problem persists after cleaning, a professional pool maintenance service will save time and stress.
A technician can:
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Fully inspect and clean the cell
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Test chlorine output and adjust settings
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Check the control box for faults
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Recommend replacement if the cell is nearing the end of its life
At Pool Assist, our experienced technicians service all major salt chlorinator systems. We provide fast, reliable callouts across Perth and offer both one-off cleans and regular maintenance plans.
Don’t Let Scale Slow You Down
Understanding ‘how do you clean a salt chlorinator cell’ is a vital part of pool ownership, but putting those steps into action is what truly protects your water quality, your equipment, and your backyard. While regular cleaning helps maintain peak efficiency, it is only one part of a healthy maintenance schedule.
At Pool Assist, our licensed technicians offer expert pool servicing across the Perth metro area. With decades of experience and trusted tools on hand, we’ll make sure your chlorinator is performing at its best, so you can enjoy a clean, clear pool all year round.
Book your service today and let us take care of the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What causes calcium build-up on salt cell plates?
A. Calcium naturally exists in pool water, especially in Perth’s harder water supply. During electrolysis, pH increases around the plates, encouraging calcium carbonate to harden and cling to the cell. Warm weather, high pH, and older cells can speed this up.
Q. How do I know when to stop soaking the cell?
A. Watch for bubbling. The cleaner reacts with the scale and foams while it’s active. Once bubbling stops, the solution is spent. If the plates still look dirty, rinse and repeat with a fresh batch; don’t leave them soaking longer than necessary.
Q. Can I clean the cell without removing it from the plumbing?
A. Some systems allow for in-line cleaning with a stand or cap, but full removal gives you a better view of the build-up and a more thorough clean. Always check your manufacturer's guide for safe handling.
Q. Can I prevent scale from forming in the salt chlorinator cell in the first place?
A. You can reduce it, yes. Maintain your water balance (especially pH and calcium hardness) and consider using a product like Aquashield 3. It helps prevent hard deposits from sticking to the plates between cleans.
Q. What happens if I skip regular salt cell cleaning?
A. Over time, scale reduces chlorine output, causes error alerts, and can lead to early failure of the cell. Your pool water may become unbalanced or unsafe, and equipment efficiency will drop, leading to higher costs long-term.