How to Maintain Your Pool Filter Cartridge

How long do pool filter cartridges last?
The lifespan of your pool filter cartridge is going to depend upon how much water goes through the filter, how much care you put into your pool's maintenance, and how much dirt gets into your pool. For example, always rinse your feet off before you jump in. A lot of those kinds of practices can drag dirt and debris into the pool. This will end up on the cartridge filter.
To maintain a pool filter cartridge, you will periodically have to take it out and clean it. The more you invest in maintaining a clean pool, the less often you will have to clean the cartridges.
Does sunscreen affect the pool filter?
Another thing to consider about filter life is the use of oils. Suntan lotions and tanning oils are going to manifest on your filters as a film. It will build up quickly if you don't keep it in check. If you are lathering up your kids with lots of sunscreen, the filters are going to have a little shorter life.
When do I clean my pool filter cartridge? 
One indicator you can always look to is the pressure gauge on your filter system. The higher the pressure, the more resistance the pump is having pushing water through the the filter cartridge. When the pressure gets high, it's time to take it out and clean it.
How do I clean my pool filter cartridge?
You can clean it by simply rinsing it off with the garden hose. Sometimes you may need to take a brush to it, but when you put a brush to the filter, you will erode some of that material. Over time, if you brush it off frequently, you will knock holes in the media and destroy the filter. You can only do that a couple of times before you should replace the cartridge.