Neutralizing chlorine in water quickly depends on your intended use—whether for drinking, plant care, or swimming pools. The most effective methods range from chemical treatments to natural dissipation.
Sodium ascorbate will also neutralize chlorine. It is pH neutral and will not change the pH of the treated water. Sodium ascorbate is preferable for neutralizing high concentrations of chlorine.
Letting Water Sit
One of the easiest ways to remove chlorine is to let your water sit uncovered for about 24 hours. Chlorine evaporates when exposed to air, so the longer you leave the water out, the more chlorine will be gone.
What can you do?
Chlorine remover chemicals (dechlorinators) neutralize and remove toxic chlorine and chloramines from water. The most effective chemical depends on your specific use case:
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate) is the most effective natural chlorine neutralizer. It instantly converts chlorine and chloramines into harmless compounds upon contact, safely protecting both your body and your local environment.
If you are sure your tap water contains chlorine and not chloramine, you can let the water sit for 1-5 days to allow all the chlorine to evaporate. To speed up the evaporation process, aerate the water with an air stone for 12-24 hours or boil the water for 15-20 minutes.
Chlorine or chloramine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 4 parts per million (ppm), are considered safe in drinking water. These low levels kill harmful germs and are unlikely to make people sick.
If you are sure your tap water contains chlorine and not chloramine, you can let the water sit for 1-5 days to allow all the chlorine to evaporate. To speed up the evaporation process, aerate the water with an air stone for 12-24 hours or boil the water for 15-20 minutes.
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.
Fill a jug and put it in the fridge for a few hours (but no longer than 24 hours). This should allow the chlorine to dissipate. If the taste/smell remains after this, it is more likely coming from the reaction in the pipework rather than the chlorine itself.
There is no single state with universally the "worst" tap water, as quality varies by utility. However, based on high contaminant counts, EPA violations, and population exposure, Texas and New Jersey consistently rank at the bottom.
To remove chlorine from tap water, use an activated carbon block filter or a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, as they adsorb chlorine and improve taste. Common methods range from budget-friendly faucet mounts to whole-house filtration, and simple at-home practices like boiling or aeration.
No, baking soda does not directly neutralize or lower chlorine levels in a swimming pool.
While some reverse osmosis systems can reduce chlorine in drinking water — particularly when combined with a carbon filter — the best solution is usually a whole-house filtration system.
Yes, Brita filters reduce chlorine. All standard Brita and Brita Elite pitcher and faucet filters are certified to reduce aesthetic chlorine and its associated taste and odor. They achieve this using activated carbon media, which traps the chlorine particles as water passes through.
Drinking excessively chlorinated water can lead to gastrointestinal and physical irritation. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and dry, itchy skin. Ingesting high levels can also cause a strong, unpleasant swimming pool-like smell and taste in your tap water.
When searching for the cleanest tap water in the U.S., states like Hawaii, Washington, and Kentucky consistently rank at the top. Hawaii frequently takes the #1 spot nationally due to its pristine, naturally filtered underground aquifers.
Using Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or the “gassing off” method
Another way to remove the chorine is by simply using a thin slice of lemon. The ascorbic acid in the lemon neutralizes the chlorine and adds “character” and a dash of color to your glass of water.
Several studies on humans have also found a link between long-term exposure to high levels of chlori- nation by-products and a higher risk of cancer. For instance, a recent study showed an increased risk of bladder and possibly colon cancer in people who drank chlorinated water for 35 years or more.
There is no single “#1” healthiest water, as the ideal choice depends on your specific health and hydration needs. However, experts generally agree that naturally mineralized spring water and carbon-filtered tap water (especially when remineralized) are the best daily options.
For many people, it's easier to consider odor and taste. As the WHO explains, some people can taste or smell chlorine in their water at concentrations between 0.3 and 5 mg/L. There's more variation among chloramines, with certain types identifiable at concentrations as low as 0.02 mg/L.
Since it turns into a gas at room temperature, chlorine will eventually evaporate if you let your water sit before using it. How long you need to let it sit depends on the temperature. Chlorine in water sitting in the fridge will evaporate completely within 24 hours, but will do so faster in warmer temperatures.
One way you maintain proper ammonia levels in your aquarium is to test with ammonia aquarium test strips. Within two minutes, you'll know if ammonia concentration levels in your freshwater or saltwater tank are stable or higher than normal.
Chlorine Can Kill Fish in Minutes
How quickly they get sick and die depends on the level of chlorine in the water. High levels may cause fish to succumb in hours or even minutes. Generally speaking, smaller fish are more susceptible than larger fish. Affected fish may appear pale and covered in mucus.