Only algaecides can "kill" algae in pool water. However, baking soda can help clear up algae. Use both so you can restore sparkly, clean water!
As a rule, you don't add more than 2.5 pounds of baking soda in a day. Instead, start off adding the required amount (e.g., 1.25 for 10,000 gallons of water) of baking soda that can raise the alkalinity of your pool to 10ppm. You can sprinkle your baking soda over the surface of the pool, or you pour into a skimmer.
Chlorine is still one of the most effective killers of algae so doing a super-chlorination of 10-20 ppm of chlorine can go a long way towards wiping out the algae. Liquid chlorine is an ideal shock for algae because it is fast acting and does not add cyanuric acid (CYA) or calcium to the water.
Another chemical-free solution that you can consider is a mixture of baking soda, water and vinegar. Add two parts of white vinegar to one part of water and three heaped spoons of baking soda. Dip a scrubbing brush into the mixture and apply it to the algae stains on your furniture. Leave it for about ten minutes.
You can use baking soda in a pool for two primary purposes: to increase the alkalinity and pH level for clear water and to cure black algal outbreaks on your wall. The founder of Cleaning Green LLC, Alicia Johnson, explains that baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) has a pH level of 8, meaning it is a natural alkaline.
Adding shock to your pool super-chlorinates your water. And this extra dose of sanitizer will kill algae growth. The more serious your pool algae problem, the more shock you'll need. We recommend using calcium hypochlorite shock, or cal-hypo shock, as an effective algae treatment.
Does baking soda kill algae in pools? Only algaecides can "kill" algae in pool water. However, baking soda can help clear up algae. Use both so you can restore sparkly, clean water!
Combining vinegar, water and baking soda is ideal for targeting the toughest algae stains and mould growth. In a large container, add two parts white vinegar to one part water and stir in three heaped teaspoons of baking soda.
TIP 5: USE BLEACH OR VINEGAR
Oxidized bleach immediately starts to kill algae cells once it comes into contact with it. Bleach, however, should not be your first option, especially if the area you plan to rid of algae is near plants or grass.
Hardware stores and home centers sell products designed to kill moss and algae, but you can save money by using inexpensive chlorine bleach or a non-creamy hand dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn.
Apply a mustard algaecide following the label directions. Allow the water to circulate for 24 hours. Use a pool vacuum or backwash the pool again to remove the remaining dead algae. In persistent cases, brush the pool and apply algaecide once more after two to four days.
When added to water containing algae, H2O2 breaks down into water and oxygen, releasing free oxygen radicals in the process. These free oxygen radicals can then react with and destroy the cell walls and membranes of algae cells, causing them to die off.
In the case of blue-green algae: Use 1.5 to a maximum of 2.5 ml of the 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. In the case of green algae: 20.25 ml to a maximum of 32.5 ml of the 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide per 13 gallons of water.
Your Best Weapon Against Algae
Chlorine—yep, your typical sanitizer—is much more effective at killing algae than algaecide is. Even if your water gets cloudy and your walls get slimy, chlorine can still kill it. That's because chlorine oxidizes bacteria and single-celled algae, which means they trade electrons.
If you have an algae problem, your best friend is white vinegar. White vinegar can quickly kill algae but is not harmful to birds, insects and the majority of plants. Use a mixture of one part water to one part white vinegar to spray down the area and kill the algae.
Baking soda improves clarity and softness of pool water.
If the readings for both pH and alkalinity are low, then add baking soda to your pool. Rebalancing the pH and alkalinity can help to clear up the cloudy water.
Vinegar is acceptable to use for killing algae and cleaning a pond when it is drained. The acidic is good at lifting away the stubborn algae deposits and stains without damaging the liner material. When used in this way in limited amounts, the leftover vinegar residue won't hurt the fish or change the pH of the water.
Sodium bicarbonate is packaged in powder form and can be sprinkled directly into your pool water. Spread in wide arcs across the pool's surface to avoid dumping it all in one spot. Beware of adding baking soda on a windy day, as the powder can go airborne. Wait at least six hours.
Whenever pH drops below 7.2, add 3- 4 lbs. of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda per 10,000 gallons of water to raise the pH. If after a day or so, the pH has not stabilized and drops below 7.2 again, add another 4 lbs. of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda per 10,000 gallons of water.
Shock Your Pool
Shocking is the process of adding chemicals to your pool to raise chlorine levels and kill bacteria and algae. We recommend using a calcium hypochlorite shock to treat your algae problems.