Dolphin Fact of the Week:

Wonder Brushes and Climbing Rings:

The material that the Wonder Brushes and the climbing rings on the Combined Brushes is made out of is called poly vinyl alcohol (or PVA).  It has an internal structure that is similar to that found in natural sea sponges.  It can absorb up to 12 times its dry weight in liquid, producing a wet volume that is 20% greater than its dry volume.  It is actually the strongest and most abrasion-resistant of any synthetic sponge material, and it can withstand temperatures of up to 90° C (194° F) before melting.  It's also an excellent filter, with a filtration capability that far exceeds that of our filter bags and cartridges, though we don't use it in that way in the Dolphin products.

To extend the life span of this material in Dolphin products, here's a few tips:

• Rinse the rings with fresh, clean water after use in the pool to wash out any residual chemicals, which can break down the foam over time and cause it to disintegrate during use.
• Let the Dolphin dry upside-down out of the water to prevent the rings from deforming as they dry (though they will plump back up once re-hydrated).
• When the Dolphin is first placed in the water, let it soak for 10-15 minutes to ensure that the rings have absorbed as much water as they can before running the cleaner.  Dry rings can sometimes cause the unit to float until the air in their cell structure is replaced by water.