Is household bleach safe for pools?

Author: Monty Douglas  |  Last update: Friday, January 12, 2024

Clorox itself recommends using between 100 and 200 ounces of regular-strength bleach per 10,000 gallons of pool water -- one gallon is 128 ounces, and many bottles of bleach are available in one-gallon or half-gallon sizes. Pool professionals tend to recommend more conservative amounts of bleach.

Can I use household bleach to shock my pool?

bleach to shock your pool.

What is the difference between household bleach and pool bleach?

They are identical in every way, with the exception of strength. Household bleach is usually a 6% concentration (although some of the cheaper stuff is 3%), while pool chlorine can typically be found in strength between 10% and 12%.

Which is stronger household bleach or pool chlorine?

Answer: It is true that pool chlorine is stronger than bleach. For bleach and water to be the same strength as pool chlorine and water, you would have to adjust the ratio, increasing the bleach and reducing the water. But no matter which chlorine you use, make sure to test a small area before doing the job.

How long after adding bleach to pool can you swim?

Generally you will want to wait at least 4 hours, but ideal is waiting for one complete turnover of the water (the time it takes all the water to go through the filter).

Can I Use Household Bleach Instead of Pool Chlorinating Liquid?

Can you put bleach in your pool instead of chlorine?

Household bleach, Clorox and liquid chlorine can all be used to sanitize a pool. They are all types of chlorine. Household bleaches such as Clorox usually contain about 5-6% available chlorine, about half that of pool liquid chlorine. Household bleaches often have unwanted fragrances and colors.

How many gallons of bleach do I put in my pool?

If you are just trying to raise the chlorine level by 2.5 ppm, then you will have to use as much as a ¼ gallon of bleach per 10,000 gallons of water. Use this basic math to figure out how much ppm you have to raise your pool by and go from there. Make sure to continually test the pool water.

Can you put bleach in a vinyl pool?

Bleach Can Damage Vinyl Pools

Over-bleaching your pool liner can also damage the fabric and cause it to shrink, which could lead to leaks. Always test the water before adding bleach in order to make sure that it is safe for use on your vinyl pool.

What is the cheapest way to shock a pool?

Calcium Hypochlorite: Also referred to as cal hypo, this chemical is one of the least costly and most convenient ways to shock your pool. It's usually sold in granular form. Needs to be dissolved before you add it to the pool. Must be used after dusk.

Is bleach stronger than pool shock?

Swimming pool shock contains 12.5% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) vs. 6-8.5% for Clorox (bleach). Some Clorox products go as high as 8.5%. At a 12.5% concentrate, liquid pool shock is approximately 2x's stronger than Clorox bleach.

What does baking soda do for pool water?

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.

What can I use instead of pool shock?

Top 3 Alternative Pool Sanitizers
  • UV Light. A UV light filter is a great addition to chlorine-based sanitization. UV light is used as a disinfectant in many situations, not just pools. ...
  • PHMB. If cost is not an issue, you can try Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). ...
  • Salt Water Pools. Salt is nature's original pool cleaner.

Will bleach get green out of pool?

Your pool is probably a green cloudy mess, so you'll want to add two chemicals to begin the clearing process: Pool Acid – also known as Muriatic Acid. Pool Bleach (bought in the big yellow jugs) also known as Sodium Hypochlorite.

What bleach is safe for pools?

Answer. There's a protocol when using Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach for swimming pool disinfection to prevent algae growth when a pool is in use: on an ongoing basis, if you super-chlorinate the pool with 6-12 cups bleach per 5,000 gallons of water, in addition to regular chlorination, algae growth can be prevented.

How do you make homemade chlorine for pools?

Bleach — You can use bleach but make sure it is splashes bleach, which can contain several other dangerous additives. Hydrogen Peroxide -- As little as a cup per 100 gallons water will help keep germs at bay. Must be 35% peroxide. Non-chlorine shock — Won't do the job alone.

How often should I put bleach in my pool?

Maintain 0.5–1 ppm of available chlorine

Re-test the chlorine level in the water each day you use the pool, and when necessary add 1 teaspoon Clorox® Bleach per 100 gallons of water; retest to ensure the correct level of available chlorine is achieved. Empty small pools daily.

Is bleach the same as chlorine?

The key difference between chlorine and bleach is that chlorine is a natural element, whereas bleach is a solution consisting of many elements. Chlorine bleach can be described as any chlorine-containing bleach that has sodium hypochlorite as the active agent.

What is the difference between Clorox and bleach?

Clorox is a bleach product from a company by the same name having its headquarters in Oakland, California. Though the company makes several chemical products, it is its bleach that is most popular.

Is Clorox and bleach the same thing?

Clorox is a brand of bleach, like Kleenex is a brand of tissues. Clorox was the first commercial-scale liquid bleach in the United States and today they sell a variety of consumer goods products, particularly cleaning products but also food, food storage, personal care, and other items.

Is Clorox bleach the same as pool shock?

The main difference between pool shock and Clorox bleach is their purpose and strength. Pool shock is specifically designed for use in pools and is much stronger than Clorox bleach. It is also available in different strengths and forms to meet the specific needs of your pool.

What kills algae naturally?

Barley straw is a natural way to fight algae. On contact with water, the straw starts to break down, and as it does so it releases peroxides into the water which combat algae. Available in mini bales, or as a concentrated extract of barley straw liquid, it's a natural way of chemically fighting algae.

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