Baking soda is a natural and great way to keep your pool clean and safe for swimming. It’s also an easy way to remove stains from the pool walls, floors, and equipment.
The baking ingredient has many uses around the house also, including cleaning up spills on countertops and sinks, removing odors from air fresheners, deodorizing shoes, and even cleaning out drains.
In fact, you may have already used it to remove limescale in the bathroom, or as a simple way to remove stains off a light colored carpet.
If you have a problem with algae or other unwanted growth in your pool, baking soda can be used as a natural treatment – it really is that good!
In this article we shall discuss why baking soda can be used, and how to use it in your home swimming pool (see also ‘ Pool Foam: Causes & How To Get Rid Of It ‘) to safely clean it.
So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Is It A Myth? Can Baking Soda Be Used To Clean A Swimming Pool?
Baking soda is not only a household product, but one of the most popular products sold at stores like Wal-Mart and Target.
It’s so common, in fact, that there are over 100 million pounds produced every year.
And while some people think of it as just another household cleaner, it actually has several uses outside the kitchen.
One of those uses is cleaning a swimming pool.
While you might think that using baking soda would cause damage to the pool itself, the opposite is true.
This is because baking soda dissolves oils and grease, which means that when applied to a surface, it will help to break down any grime or residue left behind by soap scum, algae, and other contaminants.
This makes it a perfect choice for cleaning your pool.
How Does Baking Soda Work?
When baking soda comes into contact with water, it creates carbon dioxide gas bubbles.
These bubbles then combine with the oil and grease present in the dirt and debris on the pool walls, floor, and equipment, forming a foam that helps loosen and lift them away.
As soon as the baking soda touches the dirt, it begins to dissolve it, breaking it down into smaller pieces that are easier to wash away.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Baking Soda To Clean A Pool?
There are several benefits to using baking soda to clean your pool:
It Works Quickly
When you apply baking soda directly to the surface of your pool, it breaks down the dirt and grease within seconds.
It Doesn’t Leave Any Chemical Residues Behind
There are no harsh chemicals involved in the process, making it safe for both you and your family.
It’s Inexpensive
While you could spend hundreds of dollars on expensive pool cleaners, you’ll find that baking soda is much cheaper than that.
It’s Effective
If you’ve ever tried to scrub away stubborn stains on a white wall or tile floor, you know what we mean.
It’s Easy To Use
You don’t need to hire an expert to do the job; all you need is baking soda and a bucket.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
Unlike chlorine, which depletes our oceans and destroys marine life, baking soda is completely biodegradable.
It’s Non-Toxic
Since it’s made from food ingredients, it won’t harm anyone who comes into contact with it.
It’s Simple
All you need to do is sprinkle baking soda onto the affected area, wait until it foams up, and then rinse off the excess.
It Can Be Used Anywhere
Whether you’re cleaning your own pool, or someone else’s, this method works great.
How To Use Baking Soda To Clean A Pool
Baking soda is one of those household items that everyone has at their disposal. It’s cheap, available almost everywhere, and is very useful when it comes to cleaning things.
It’s no wonder then that people often use baking soda to clean their pools.
It’s not just for kids though, adults are using it too. You’ll find that it works well in all types of water, whether it’s saltwater or freshwater.
And if you’re worried about chemicals in the pool, don’t worry, it won’t harm the environment.
Here are some steps on how to use baking soda to clean your pool:
Step 1: Remove Debris
Remove any debris before applying baking soda.
This will prevent any dirt from getting into the baking soda solution.
Step 2: Apply Baking Soda
Apply baking soda directly onto the affected area.
Step 3: Wait!
Wait for 15 minutes before rinsing away.
Step 4: Repeat If Necessary
If the stain is still there, repeat the step until you’ve removed all the stain.
Step 5: Rinse And Finish
Rinse the area thoroughly to remove the baking soda.
You should now be able to see the difference between the treated area and the untreated area.
If you need to treat more than one spot, repeat step 2.
You can also move on to step 6.
Step 6: Add Chlorine
Once finished with the baking soda, wait for around 30 minutes and then add a few drops of chlorine disinfectant to the surface.
Step 7: Leave It For A Moment
Leave it for 10 minutes to do its work.
Step 8: Rinse
Rinse with clear running water.
Now you can enjoy your pool again.
Using Baking Soda To Treat Algae Growth
Algae is a common problem in pools. It grows quickly and can take over an entire pool within a matter of days.
The only way to keep it under control is by treating it regularly.
There are two ways to treat algae:
1) Using baking soda in the filter
2) Adding baking soda to the pool
Let’s look at each method separately.
Using Baking Sodas In The Filter
To stop algae growing in your pool, you must first understand what causes it.
Algae thrives in warm, moist conditions. In order to grow, it needs sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
These three elements are found in most pools. However, they can become depleted due to regular usage.
As a result, algae starts to grow.
Baking soda helps to neutralize these three elements. Therefore, it prevents them from becoming depleted. As a result, the growth of algae slows down.
You can use baking soda as follows:
Add half a cup of baking soda to the filter.
Add enough water to cover the baking soda completely.
Mix well so that the baking soda dissolves.
Keep this mixture in the filter for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, empty the remaining baking soda out of the filter.
Repeat the same procedure twice per week.
You can also use baking soda to treat algae growth in your pool.
Adding Baking Soda To Your Pool
Another way to get rid of algae in your pool is to add baking soda to the water.
This works better when used in conjunction with chlorine.
Here’s how to do it:
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to your pool.
Add enough water so that the baking soda covers the bottom of the pool.
Wait for 30 minutes before adding chlorine.
Repeat this every other day or once a week.
Note: It’s important to wait for 30 minutes after adding the baking soda before adding chlorine.
Why? Because if you don’t, the chlorine will react with the baking soda and make it ineffective.
If you’re using baking soda to treat algae, remember to follow the instructions above.
Should You Add Baking Soda Directly Into Pool Water?
While you can use baking soda to clean the pool without causing any damage, it’s best to avoid adding it directly into the pool itself – unless there is a reason for it.
That’s because the chemical reaction that takes place during the process could cause damage to the pool.
Instead, you should apply it to the areas where you want to remove the stains. When you rinse it off, you’ll notice that the stain disappears.
That being said, it is also fine to use baking soda directly into the pool if it isn’t coming into contact with chlorine due to a potential chemical reaction.
This is why you should wait for 30 minutes before either adding chlorine or baking soda.
Baking soda can safely clean a pool without causing any harm to it so long as no chemical reaction is taking place.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Using Baking Soda?
There are many benefits to using baking soda in your pool. One of which is its ability to reduce the amount of chlorine needed to maintain a healthy pool.
Using baking soda means that you don’t need to add extra chlorine every time you want to clean your pool.
Another benefit is that it helps to kill bacteria, algae, and fungi. It’s also effective against mildew, and removes rust from pipes.
What Risks Might There Be From Using Baking Soda To Clean A Swimming Pool?
When it comes to cleaning a swimming pool, there are always risks involved.
One risk is that using baking soda might leave behind residue on the walls of your pool. This could be bad news if you have kids who like to play around in the pool.
If you’re worried about this, then you may want to consider using vinegar as well – though many find it unpleasant to use in a swimming pool due to its smell.
However, vinegar has been known to help dissolve some types of residue left by baking soda. Though, it does not work as well at removing all traces of baking soda.
As mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t use baking soda if you’re going to add chlorine right away. Doing so could result in an unsafe level of chlorine in your pool and cause a reaction.
In addition, you should only use baking soda when the temperature of your pool is between 70 °F and 80 °F (21 °C and 27 °C).
Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your pool.
If you’d rather use baking soda than vinegar, then you should do it slowly. That way, you won’t end up getting too much of it in your pool.
Is Baking Soda Safe To Use Around Children?
The short answer is yes. As long as you follow the proper safety precautions, you should be able to use baking soda safely around children.
The first thing you should know is that baking soda is non-toxic. It doesn’t contain any chemicals that would pose a threat to children.
It’s also safe to use around pets since they aren’t likely to eat it.
Final Thoughts
While baking soda is great for cleaning a swimming pool, it’s important to remember that it will not get rid of all the dirt and debris.
You should still make sure to regularly vacuum the pool once you’ve used baking soda.
Additionally, you’ll need to keep an eye out for signs of mold growth after using baking soda. If you notice these signs, then you’ll need to treat the area immediately.
