How to Clean a Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter (Models 160301, 160332)
The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus is one of the easiest pool filters to live with. No backwashing, no DE powder, just four cartridges you pull out and rinse a few times a year. This guide covers the 420 sq ft model 160301 and the 520 sq ft model 160332, which clean exactly the same way.
If your pump pressure is creeping up or your water is looking a little tired, this is usually the fix. Here's how to do it right.
How often should you clean a Clean & Clear Plus filter?
Clean the cartridges when the pressure gauge reads 8 to 10 PSI above your normal starting pressure. For most pools, that works out to every 3 to 6 months.
Write down your clean starting pressure somewhere you won't lose it. That number is your baseline. Without it, you're guessing. Pools with heavy tree cover, lots of swimmers, or frequent storms will need cleaning more often. A pool that runs a variable speed pump on low most of the day can sometimes stretch longer.
What you'll need before you start
Not much, which is part of why people like the 160301 and 160332 so much. Grab these before you open the tank:
- A garden hose with a straight-spray nozzle (not a pressure washer, more on that below)
- A large bucket or trash can if you plan to soak the cartridges
- Cartridge cleaner solution or a degreaser made for pool filters, if it's been a while
- Silicone lubricant for the tank o-ring
Step-by-step: how to clean the cartridges
The short version: shut everything down, relieve the pressure, open the clamp, rinse each cartridge top to bottom, and put it all back together. Here it is in full:
- Turn off the pump and shut off power at the breaker or timer so it can't kick on while the tank is open.
- Relieve the pressure by opening the air relief valve on top of the filter. Wait until it stops hissing.
- Remove the clamp ring. Both the 160301 and 160332 use a single clamp that holds the tank halves together. Loosen it and lift off the top of the tank.
- Pull the cartridges out. There are four of them under the manifold. Lift the manifold off first, then remove each cartridge.
- Rinse each cartridge with the hose, working top to bottom and getting the spray between every pleat. Rotate as you go. This takes a few minutes per cartridge if you're doing it properly.
- Check the o-ring on the tank while it's open. If it's dry or cracked, lubricate it or replace it. A bad o-ring is the number one cause of a filter tank leaking after cleaning.
- Reassemble, seat the clamp ring evenly, open the air relief valve, and restart the pump. Close the relief valve once water sprays out steadily.
One warning worth repeating: never use a pressure washer. It tears the pleat fabric and ruins the cartridge. A regular hose nozzle is all the pressure you need.
Why is my filter pressure still high after cleaning?
If pressure stays high right after a rinse, the pleats are likely clogged with oils or minerals that water alone won't remove. A hose rinse knocks out leaves and dirt but not sunscreen, body oils, or scale.
The fix is an overnight soak. Mix a filter cleaner solution in a big bucket or trash can, submerge the cartridges, and let them sit overnight. Rinse them well the next morning before reinstalling. If you've never soaked your cartridges and the filter is a few seasons old, this one step often brings the pressure right back down.
When should you replace the cartridges instead?
Replace the cartridges when cleaning no longer brings the pressure back to your baseline, or when the pleats look frayed, flattened, or crushed. For most pools that's every 2 to 4 years.
Other signs it's time: the bands holding the pleats have snapped, the end caps are cracked, or your water turns cloudy again within days of a cleaning. Cartridges are a wear item. No amount of soaking brings back fabric that's worn out.
Is the whole filter tank worth replacing?
If the tank itself is cracked, the clamp won't seal, or you're chasing leaks every season, replacing the complete filter can make more sense than buying parts piecemeal. The Clean & Clear Plus 160301 gives you 420 sq ft of filter area, and the 160332 bumps that to 520 sq ft for larger pools or anyone who wants longer stretches between cleanings.
More filter area means dirt spreads across more surface, so pressure builds slower and you clean less often. If you're on the fence between the two sizes, go bigger. Nobody has ever complained that their filter was too large.
Not sure this is the right part for your problem? Reach out and we will help you figure out exactly what you need before you spend money on the wrong thing.