No, inflatable pools do not need chemicals to stay clean and safe to swim in. However many larger inflatable pools will use chlorine to kill harmful bacteria.
A simple and non-toxic way to clean a paddling pool is to clean it with white vinegar. White vinegar is great for cleaning because it can remove all the horrid bacteria that sets up up home in your paddling pool. It's also colourless, so it won't stain the pool either.
For most inflatable pools or plastic kiddie pools following the guidelines listed above, the water should be changed every two weeks at a minimum. If you are not adding chlorine to kill bacteria, drain the pool every other day. Stagnant water without chlorine can become unhealthy water in as little as 24-48 hours.
Small inflatable or plastic kiddie pools and water slides don't have the same protection against germs that a swimming pool, hot tub, or water playground do. That's because it is unsafe to add germ-killing disinfectants, such as chlorine or bromine, to the water in kiddie pools and water slides.
Although inflatable pools don't need to use chlorine, it's one of the most common ways to keep pool water sanitary and safe to swim in. The chlorine is used to efficiently kill bacteria in the water that may be harmful to swimmers. Larger inflatable pools will benefit the most from the use of chlorine.
You can reuse pool water for up to 3 days! With an adult, at the end of the day skim the top of the pool to remove any bugs and bits and then top up with some fresh water. Use an old bed sheet to cover the pool overnight to keep the water cleaner, this will help to warm it up in the early morning sun too!
“It's important to change the paddling pool water every day – drain it and let it dry at the end of the day and use an anti-bacterial spray to kill any germs so it is safe to use the next day.”
Skimmer Net
With excessive debris in the water like leaves, pine needles, and dirt, the pool walls will get slimy and grow mildew faster.
How do I keep a kiddie pool clean without chemicals? If you simply do not want to use chemicals to keep your kiddie pool clean, there is an alternative. Rather than chlorine, use Distilled White Vinegar. Add 1/2 Cup for every 100 gallons of water in your pool.
The water of your paddling pool can also be maintained using Milton Sterilising Fluid.
Step-by-step: How to clean your paddling pool
Make your own homemade cleaning solution either using one part bleach to five parts of water, or equal parts of vinegar and water. Adding a little bit of the solution as you go, clean the sides of the pool using a scrubbing brush.
Many of us want to cool off in a backyard pool, but we also want to make sure there are no dangerous bacteria lurking in these pools that do not have any filtration system in place. You can use Clorox® Regular Bleach2 to treat the water in a child's wading pool.
Without Chemicals
If a parent chooses not to use chemicals in the kiddie pool, the water must be drained after the children are done using it. This should occur within 24 hours. That means the parents must go through the hassle of filling the pool with fresh water each day. This is not a good use of water.
Do i fill the whole thing up till filled with tablets? or do i stick one tablet in for a 10ft summer wave pool. thanks:-) Answer: One tablet is all you need.
Baking soda will raise the total alkalinity of the water. The alkalinity keeps the pH stable which then allows the bleach to remove more bacteria and contaminates. About a 1/2 of a teaspoon of baking soda will treat 26 gallons of water.
Cleaning a kiddie pool after each use may be a hassle, but it's the best and easiest way to keep it safe for the little ones – and will save you needing to buy pounds and pounds of salt.
The Bottom Line about Pools and Chlorine
As mentioned above, you could probably swim in a pool without chlorine without any major health issues. However, long-term use of a pool lacking chlorinated H2O could make you sick or, at the very least, contribute to rashes and other types of skin irritation.
There are alternatives to chlorine including bromine, ionizers, and ozonators, though with each you'll still need to use some chlorine. A fourth alternative is PHMB, which doesn't require the use of any chlorine. All four have drawbacks, including cost. Chlorine is relatively cheap.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.