Why You Should Stick with Chlorine in Your Pool

Lately, there’s been an uptick in people using bleach in their pools, instead of chlorine. This is likely due to recent chlorine shortages. Plus, people just have more access to information these days. Many have learned that bleach and chlorine are essentially the same thing, albeit with slightly different chemical concentrations. And, while that is true, chlorine really is the better option for keeping your pool clean for a number of reasons.   

Chlorine Has More Calcium

First of all, chlorine tends to be a lot stronger than bleach, which means it does a better job of cleaning your pool. The reason is that chlorine contains a lot more calcium hypochlorite chlorine, which is what ultimately kills off bad bacteria. Since chlorine is more effective, it just makes sense to continue using it.

You Won’t Save (Much) Money

With chlorine getting harder to find in some parts of the country, some companies have raised the prices. Bleach, on the other hand, is cheap, prompting many to think they’ll save big by choosing it over chlorine. However, because bleach is so much weaker than chlorine, you’d need a lot of it to get the same results. Thus, you’d probably spend around the same amount or only slightly less to keep your pool clean. Is all that hassle really worth it to maybe save a few bucks?

Bleach Can Throw Off Your pH Levels

A safe pool is one that is properly balanced, which means pH no higher than 7.8. Unfortunately, bleach has a very high pH. So, the more of it you use and the more frequently you use it, the higher your pool’s pH is likely to climb. This can lead to skin irritation, yucky looking water, and a host of other problems, making bleach just plain not worth it.

Ultimately, it’s up to you if you want to use bleach or chlorine in your pool. If you do want to try bleach, despite the drawbacks, talk to a pool professional and educate yourself on how best to do so. In general, though, it’s probably best to stick to chlorine. Bleach can do in a pinch, but chlorine should be your long-term choice for best results.