Last Updated: January 16th, 2019
Having your own pool is very beneficial, as it not only provides an avenue for exercise, but a lot of family fun as well! When owning a pool, you will need to make sure that the water is clean and well-maintained. This calls for a pool with the proper chemicals and products to allow a safe swim all throughout the year. Chlorine is a popular chemical used to keep swimming pools free from bacteria and other germs that are deemed toxic to people. But people have also said using bleach can be a substitute for chlorine. So what is beach vs chlorine for pools?
We show you the differences and similarities between these two chemicals and what you should use for your pool!
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Bleach VS Chlorine For Pool: What’s the Difference?
While people stick with chlorine, bleach can also make a great choice as it gives them more choices that may help their pool keep clean with different ingredients. Though they both help with keeping your pool clean, what makes them different?
Effectivity
While bleach and chlorine contain similar ingredients to get rid of lurking bacteria, the latter holds more strength when cleaning pools.
Both chlorine and bleach contain calcium hypochlorite chlorine , which are disinfecting materials. There is about 5.25% chlorine content in bleach, while the remaining percentage is water and salt to keep the bleach in a liquid state.
Whereas for chlorine, it contains calcium hypochlorite chlorine at around a 65% strength, made of solid instead of any other matter. Chlorine also contains more inert ingredients to add power into disinfecting pools.
Chlorine is the winner if you are looking for effectivity and best results, as it has a high content of the calcium water needs to rid itself of bacteria. Bleach is weaker, so you will need to add more in order to get the same results as you would when adding chlorine.
Price
Bleach is a more affordable option as compared to chlorine. Even if you use a huge amount for your pool, it will still deem less pricey than purchasing chlorine powder or tabs.
Many pool owners choose bleach because of the price. Despite having to add more bleach, they still spend less, about a few dollars per gallon-sized bottle. The price of bleach is compared to the granules or tablets of chlorine, which is priced at a few hundred dollars!
Convenience
Bleach is easier to mix and use when disinfecting your pool. All you need to do is to measure the recommended amount of bleach needed for your pool, and pour it out evenly. With chlorine, you will need to mix the tabs and powder, creating a solution and making sure everything is well-mixed before adding it to the pool.
Another point that makes bleach convenient is the fact you can purchase it from any store nearby.
Which is Better: Bleach or Chlorine?
So, which one is better to use for your pool: Chlorine or bleach? There is no specific answer, as they both perform the same job but with different pros and cons. Some people opt to use chlorine for a more powerful and effective disinfectant, while people use bleach for convenience and affordability. It’s best to evaluate what you want for your pool.
It all depends on your preference. While chlorine will directly disinfect your pool of all bacteria, bleach is a more affordable and convenient method to use.
As long as you use the right chlorine or bleach, then you will be able to reap the benefits a disinfected pool has to offer. Use reputable brands for bleach and chlorine, opting for standard calcium hypochlorite pool chlorine if you choose the latter.
The next question is: How much chlorine or bleach should you add to your pool, and how do you add it yourself?
Tips on How to Use Chlorine or Bleach for Your Pool
Adding chlorine or bleach to your pool is easy, so long as you know the basics of your pool and follow the instructions. Also, make sure that your pool is clean, as chlorine or bleach won’t do its job as well if the pool has soiled surfaces.
When adding chlorine, it depends on the type you are using. Sprinkle the recommended amount of chlorine to your pool, spreading it around. But before that, you should create the solution, whether you are using liquid or powdered form.
When using a chlorine mix , wait half an hour before you use it. Also, use the chlorine when there is no direct sunlight. Solutions like these lose strength and power over time, so we recommend you to create a batch just right for one use, or to use it immediately.
If using bleach, all you need to do is to use 1/8 cup for every 100 gallons of water. It’s best to pour it with a skimmer to avoid the harsh chemicals from harming your skin while swimming.
Popular brand names such as Clorox are recommended to use, as they have the powerful ingredients to disinfect your pool. It won’t be as effective as chlorine, but it does a good job.
It’s best to disinfect your pool daily (whether bleach or chlorine), once every few days. That way, your pool will stay clean and you can swim in it without worry of harm from bacteria and germs lurking in your pool.
In Conclusion
Your pool deserves the best in order to keep it safe for swimming. Bleach or chlorine are one of the most common and effective ways to keep bacteria away from the waters, but which is the better one for you? That all depends upon your type of pool and preference!
Hopefully, this article on bleach vs chlorine for pool will have helped you become more knowledgeable with what you need for your pool. So what are you waiting for? Invest in the best pool products for your pool today.
We hope you enjoyed the article! If you have any other thoughts on bleach vs chlorine for pool, then do comment down below! We’d love to hear what you have to think.
