Bleach for Utah Pool Cleaning: Chlorine Shortage, Concentration Themes

There are a few areas every pool owner will be interested in, and one of these is the prevention of germs and contaminants in your pool’s water. As many are well aware, even those who don’t own a pool themselves, the most common chemical used for the treatment of swimming pool water is chlorine – but some recent societal developments have many pool owners asking about alternatives.

At Packman’s Pools, we’re happy to not only offer a wide range of swimming pool design and installation options in Utah, but also to provide expertise on the proper care and maintenance of any of our pools. Why are some pool owners wondering about using bleach instead of chlorine for their pool sanitation and cleaning needs, and is this an option for you? This two-part blog will go over everything you need to know.

bleach pool cleaning chlorine shortage

Chlorine Shortage

You might be wondering why this subject is coming up now. After all, chlorine has been used as the primary pool sanitation chemical for decades without any issue – why the change?

Well, because of societal circumstances. Specifically, there are significant supply shortages when it comes to chlorine production, shortages that began during the COVID-19 shutdown – and from which the industry has not fully recovered. Not only is chlorine harder to come by, it’s becoming significantly more expensive due to basic supply and demand themes.

As a result, some pool owners are wondering if they can use bleach instead. Let’s dig into this subject.

Bleach is a Form of Chlorine

Some people who own pools don’t realize a simple fact: Bleach is a form of chlorine. The real difference here is the concentrations that are used.

For pool-grade chlorine that you’ve likely purchased in the past, which comes in tablet, granule or liquid format, chlorine content will be anywhere from 65% up to nearly 100%. In cases where it’s pure chlorine, it will actually be known as hypochlorous acid.

Bleach, on the other hand, is far more diluted. A standard jug of Clorox bleach will only contain about 5% or 6% of sodium hypochlorite, a form of chlorine, while the rest will be water. Some bleach formulas also include colorings or fragrances.

Proper Blend

So if you’re wondering whether you can use bleach in place of chlorine for your pool sanitation, the answer is yes – if the proper formulation is achieved. Generally speaking, you’re looking for the highest possible ratio of sodium hypochlorite and/or chlorine to any other substances in the bottle, especially water. In addition, you should avoid any bleach formulas that contain fragrances or other unrelated chemicals, as these are not necessary for pool cleaning and may even make the process harder. Labels and online product pages should contain detailed information on the chemical makeup of bleach, making it easy for you to find the highest concentration possible.

For more on using bleach in place of chlorine for pool cleaning, or to learn about any of our swimming pool services in Utah, speak to the staff at Packman’s Pools today.