Introduction: Indestructible Pool Pillow

This is a good project if you are sick of buying new pillows for your pool. The pillow makes it easier to remove leaves that fall in over the autumn months. I put in my first pool in 1993 and would have to put two pillows in for the winter months after my first year single pillow popped. The second was my backup and some years two didn't make it. I live in the North East so winter is not kind to pool pillows. I made my first foam pillow that has lasted 9 years and it is time for a new one. My foam is starting to flake off now and I thought I would show you how I made mine.

TIP: 4 years ago I bought a leaf cover. Best investment ever. $110 for my 30 foot round pool. When the leaves are done dropping and before the first freeze I remove the leaf cover with all the leaves and then I don't have to worry about leaf contamination in the spring. Clear water when the cover comes off in the spring every time.

Step 1: Materials:

You will need 4 Sheets of 2 foot by 8 foot by 2 inches thick foam insulation. I got mine at Home Depot for $15.49 each.

A roll of good quality duct tape. I used Gorilla brand.

Large sheet of 4 to 6 mil plastic sheet. I got mine 20 feet by 10 feet.

20 foot long piece of rope or adjustable strap. This is used around the perimeter to connect ropes to hold in place.

2 tubes of liquid nails and caulking gun.

Step 2: Cutting and Assembling the Foam:

Cut all four sheets of foam in half so you end up with 8 2 foot by 4 foot sections.

Assemble as shown stacking the foam with a generous quantity of liquid nails between each layer.

Step 3: Keep It Together:

You will wind up with a block of foam 4 feet square and 8 inches thick.

I used duct tape around the whole block just to keep it together.

Step 4: Wrapping It Up:

Spread out the sheet of plastic and place the block in the middle.

Bring the plastic over the top of the block and wrap as you would a large package duct taping the seams so that all your duct tape connections will be on top of the block so the tape will not be sitting in the water.

Step 5: Positioning Strap (rope):

Next add the rope or strap to the diameter of the block. This will be used to tie ropes that will hold the pillow in place when in the pool.

The block is very buoyant. I weigh 240 + lbs and I can stand on this when it is in the water.

Step 6: Finish:

You can see the bump in the middle of the pool. This also shows the leaf cover. The pool pillow will last for years. My last one lasted 9 years and could have been re-wrapped again but the the foam starts to deteriorate after awhile and a few flakes of foam find there way into the pool from time to time. Anyway, have fun!

Step 7: Adding Straps

I decided to add ratcheting straps across the block and then tie to those. This way the ratcheting mechanism can sit on top of the block and not rest in the water to rust away.