Alternatives to Chlorine Pool Shock
Most pools use chlorine to keep their pools fun and fresh. It’s relatively easy to use, and it doesn’t hit the wallet too hard. It’s also effective in keeping your pool free of algae and other unpleasant bacteria. So it’s no wonder chlorine is popular among pool owners.
But maybe you’d like to give another SANiTIZER a try. You could be someone who doesn’t like the way chlorine affects your skin. Or you might want to make your pool as eco-friendly as possible. Thankfully, there are options when it comes to alternatives to chlorine pool shock.
Before you read further, we want to remind you that pool chlorine isn’t harmful or toxic when used correctly. Family Pool Maintenance still recommends chlorine pool shock for the majority of pool owners. We’re not trying to scare you away from chlorine.
But alternatives to chlorine can work well, and you should choose the pool cleaner that fits your preferences best. Let’s take a look at a few alternatives to chlorine pool shock.
5 Reasons Behind Chlorine Alternatives
Chlorine is known as a harsh chemical. Long-time swimmers know how irritating it can be. Even non-swimmers may subconsciously avoid the pool because they had allergic reactions as kids. Here are five reasons why you might want alternatives to chlorine.
1. Dry Skin
The number one complaint about chlorine is dry skin. The specific chemicals in chlorine can eat away the natural oils of the skin. This leaves you feeling dry and itchy (even though you’re in the water). You can make sure to moisturize after a swim or you can find an alternative to chlorine.
2. Asthma
If you’re allergic to chlorine, you might experience an asthma attack while swimming. This is one reason why people say they feel so much better in salt water.
To get into the science, when chlorine mixes with swimmers’ sweat, dirt, and skin cells, it creates chemical irritants known as chloramines. The chloramines in the water then turn into gas in the surrounding air, which can cause respiratory issues.
3. Dry Hair
Did you know that chlorine is a type of bleach? This is why hair lightens in the summer after long-term swimming. The chemicals in chlorine also remove the natural oils on the scalp (just like with dry skin elsewhere). There are a few tips and tricks for keeping hair intact, but chlorine will always cause damage no matter what you do.
4. Irritated Eyes
Chlorine can remove the tear film of the eyes, which leads to redness and irritation. Goggles are one solution, but some people find goggles just as irritating as the chlorine. Pink eye can also occur in pools with chemical imbalances.
5. Toxic Drainage
If you ever need to drain your pool for repairs or an emergency, you might be draining toxic water into the city water system. Once you hit a certain amount of chemical density, you can safely dump, but many pool owners don’t know what those safe levels are.
Want an Alternative to Chlorine? Try A Peroxide BASED option
When it comes to keeping a pool clean and safe for swimming, chlorine and peroxide are two popular options for pool owners. Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and the choice between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Chlorine is a well-known and widely used chemical for pool sanitation. It’s a powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria and other microorganisms that can contaminate the water. Chlorine is easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and can be found in various forms such as tablets, granules, and liquid. It is also commonly added to pool water through automatic dispensers or feeders.
Peroxide BASED PRODUCTS, on the other hand, are a newer alternative to chlorine. These are also powerful disinfectants, but they do not produce the strong chlorine smell that many people dislike. Peroxide BASED PRODUCTS also are powerful oxidizers, which means they can break down organic matter such as sweat, sunscreen, and other contaminants, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin or allergies. However, peroxide BASED PRODUCTS can be more expensive than chlorine and may be harder to find.
Please send an email to our team for more information on peroxide.
Top 3 Alternative Pool Sanitizers
It might be the case that you need or prefer an additional way to sanitize your pool. The options below aren’t alternatives to chlorine (they still use chlorine as part of the sanitizing process), but they can help some pool owners achieve the sparkling clean pool they’ve always wanted.
1. 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. The light kills off bacteria and pathogens. Once dead, these pool contaminants are easily trapped in the filter.
2. PHMB
If cost is not an issue, you can try Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). This pool cleaner uses safe bacteria to kill pathogens in the water. Through a fascinating biological process, PHMB can easily trap bacteria and organic matter and bring them to the pool filter. This is one of the more expensive pool chlorine alternatives at around $800 for a 10,000-gallon pool for the summer.
3. Salt Water Pools
Salt is nature’s original pool cleaner. Just like the ocean, salt prevents bacteria and organic matter from taking over. It’s usually better on the skin, so if you’re considering installing a new pool, consider going with salt water as an alternative to fully-chlorinated freshwater. You’ll still end up with the same chlorine, but many people prefer the feel of salt water.
Talk to Family Pool Maintenance About Alternatives to Chlorine
We want to make sure you’re making the right choice for your pool. If chlorine is bothering you, then you may have a pool chemical imbalance. Fixing your pool chemistry could be an easier fix than implementing a full chlorine alternative. We also want to help you find a solution that fits your budget.
So if you’re not sure whether to switch away from pool chlorine, give us a call. We’re happy to provide our expert opinions.
