If you need to lower chlorine levels quickly, uncover your pool and let the sun work its magic. You can also try adding a chlorine neutralizer like
In most cases, it takes 24-48 hours for chlorine concentration to drop significantly. If the water is too hot or the chlorine levels are too high, it may take longer for the chlorine to evaporate. You can speed up the process using a chemical oxidizing agent or diluting the water with fresh water.
Exposure to sunlight can effectively reduce the level of chlorine, so you can try letting it dissipate by leaving your pool cover off. Alternatively, diluting the pool through partial draining and replenishing it with fresh water is often an effective solution.
There are three main ways to remove chlorine from tap water. Leave it to stand in the open air for up to 24 hours, boil the water, or install a drinking water filter or whole house water filter that contains a carbon block water filter cartridge.
Remove Chlorine by Evaporation
Leave water exposed to air for at least 24 hours, preferably at room temperature to speed up the process. Benefits: Natural and cost-free.
Two forms of vitamin C, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate, will neutralize chlorine. Neither is considered a hazardous chemical. First, vitamin C does not lower the dissolved oxygen as much as sulfur-based chemicals do. Second, vitamin C is not toxic to aquatic life at the levels used for dechlorinating water.
It depends on who you ask, but the acceptable range is between 1 to 5 ppm, per the Water Quality & Health Council. (So, for example, 10 ppm chlorine is not safe to swim in — that's too high, so it can be dangerous.)
Higher Temperatures Heighten Chlorine Evaporation
In just 2 short hours, the sun can lower the chlorine level by as much as 90%. The heat of the sun causes the available chlorine to evaporate.
Removing Chlorine From Your Water
Boiling water for about 15 minutes will release the chlorine. This process works, but it's not a fast or efficient way to handle all your drinking water — especially since water would need to cool before going in your glass or your pet's bowl.
Just Wait it Out. Chlorine will burn itself off naturally. Depending on how hot it is and how high your chlorine levels are will determine the amount of time needed. It could be quick or it could take a few days.
If you need to quickly lower chlorine levels in your hot tub, use a chlorine neutralizer, dilute the water with fresh water, or leave the cover off and run the jets to let the chlorine dissipate. These methods can help reduce chlorine levels to the recommended range of 1-3 ppm.
The consistent inability to maintain chlorine levels is also called “chlorine demand” and is most often caused by a high level of inorganic and organic contaminants in the water. Those contaminants force the chlorine to work extremely hard to oxidize them, leaving little chlorine to protect swimmers.
Direct sunlight (UV)
We found plenty of sources indicating that direct sunlight breaks down chlorine and bromine; a fact that is irrefutable.
Does boiling remove chlorine from water? Yes, boiling water for 15 minutes will remove all of the chlorine form tap water. Alternatively, leave a jug of water uncovered at room temperature for at least 24 hours and the chlorine will evaporate without boiling.
Likely the best chemical to use for chemical neutralization is potassium metabisulfite, which comes in the form of small tablets. Once the tablet dissolves in the water, it will effectively neutralize the chlorine before evaporating.
Superchlorinate or shock will lower combined chlorine.
Then make sure the dose has time to work – usually, 12-36 hours will do.
The sun's UV rays break down the chlorine, and it is released into the atmosphere. In summer, when the sun is bearing down, it'll only take around two hours for 90% of the chlorine in your pool to be broken down completely.
FALSE. It doesn't matter how much time and effort you put into skimming, brushing, vacuuming, circulating, and filtering your pool. If there's not enough chlorine in the water, your pool's not actually clean, and the water's not safe.
Test your pool water
If the combined chlorine is above 0.2 ppm, then you need to shock your pool. Don't forget to check the pH level before you add your solution (ideally, it should be between 7.2 and 7.6). Any higher and it'll make your pool shock ineffective.
Do I Have High Chlorine Levels in My Pool? If you can smell the chlorine or “feel” it on your skin, you probably have unbalanced chlorine levels. You can check your pool's chlorine levels with a simple strip test. If the levels are out of the normal range, they would be considered high.
Natural dechlorination will occur over time and chlorine will dissipate when exposed to the air and sunlight. This process can take 5-10 days, depending on a variety of factors, including pool size.
Hydrogen peroxide is sold as a pool chemical oxidizer, which means it works to break down chlorine through chemical reactions. You'll need to get hydrogen peroxide that's specifically made for pools, not the one sold in first aid kits.