Baking soda, known chemically as sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household item with numerous applications, including pool maintenance. Many pool owners may not realize the benefits of using baking soda to enhance their pool’s water quality. But how does baking soda affect pool water?
When added to a pool with low pH levels, baking soda acts as a natural alkaline agent, raising both the pH and total alkalinity. This adjustment allows chlorine to function more effectively, ensuring that your pool water remains clean, clear, and safe for swimming. Instead of purchasing expensive chemical products labeled as “pH or alkalinity increasers,” which often contain sodium bicarbonate, consider buying bulk baking soda to save on costs. This article will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of using baking soda in your pool, as well as the optimal times for its application to maximize its benefits.
What does baking soda do in a pool?
Baking soda is primarily utilized to counteract acidic pool water. With a typical pH range of 8 to 8.3, baking soda is only slightly alkaline, making it an ideal solution for mildly acidic conditions. The advantages of incorporating baking soda into your pool maintenance routine include:
- Enhances the effectiveness of chlorine in sanitizing the pool water.
- Creates a softer feel to the pool water, improving the swimming experience.
- Helps clarify cloudy water, restoring its sparkling appearance.
- Aids in algae treatment, preventing and addressing growth.
- Reduces water acidity, minimizing the risk of corrosion to metal fixtures, pool surfaces, and equipment.
Will baking soda lower chlorine levels in the pool?
Some pool owners mistakenly believe that combining baking soda and chlorine diminishes the chlorine’s effectiveness and lowers its levels. However, using baking soda does not reduce chlorine levels in your pool. Instead, maintaining proper pH levels with baking soda enables chlorine to work more effectively, killing bacteria and other contaminants. When the pH is too low (acidic), free chlorine cannot perform efficiently.
How to keep a pool clean with baking soda
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to raise the pH and total alkalinity levels in your pool:
1. Test the pool water
Use test strips or your preferred method to check the pool water’s pH and total alkalinity levels. If the pH is between 7.2 and 7.8 and the total alkalinity exceeds 80 ppm, you won’t need to add baking soda.
2. Work out how much baking soda to use
If your pool’s alkalinity falls below 80 ppm, determine the amount of baking soda needed to reach the desired level. Refer to the chart below and adjust based on your pool’s volume. For example, if your pool holds 20,000 gallons and registers 60 ppm, you would need to add 12 lbs (20,000/10,000 x 6 lbs).
3. Run the pool pump
To ensure proper mixing of the baking soda, run the pool pump while adding the substance. If you’re adding a significant quantity, consider doing this in the evening and running the pump overnight for optimal distribution.
4. Add baking soda slowly
If a large quantity is needed, spread the addition over a few days. Avoid adding more than 3 lbs at once to prevent potential issues. With the pump running, you can add baking soda using one of the following methods:
- Mix half a pound of baking soda in a bucket of pool water until mostly dissolved, then slowly pour it around the pool’s edge.
- Use a scoop to evenly distribute the baking soda across the pool surface.
- Pour the baking soda directly into the skimmer, allowing it to be pushed out through the pool jets (this method is less preferred).
5. Test the water again and repeat if necessary
After allowing sufficient time for the baking soda to mix (at least one hour, preferably longer), retest the water. If the pH and total alkalinity levels remain low, repeat the above steps.
How much baking soda to add to a pool
| Alkalinity Reading | Baking soda to add per 10,000 gallons |
|---|---|
| 20ppm | 12lbs |
| 30ppm | 10.5lbs |
| 40ppm | 9lbs |
| 50ppm | 7.5lbs |
| 60ppm | 6lbs |
| 70ppm | 4.5lbs |
| 80ppm | 3lbs |
| 90ppm | 1.5lbs |
| 100ppm or above | Do not add any |
Baking soda pool chart
The table above provides a guideline for the amount of baking soda needed to elevate alkalinity in your pool. Knowing your pool’s volume is crucial for accurate calculations, and you can easily determine this by measuring its dimensions:
For rectangular pools with a consistent depth: Multiply the width by the length and then by the depth (in feet) to get the total cubic feet of water. Multiply this figure by 7.5 to convert it to gallons. For pools with varying depths, use an average depth.
For irregularly shaped pools: Consider using a pool volume calculator app available on most smartphones to simplify the process.
How often should you put baking soda in your pool?
There’s no strict schedule for adding baking soda to your pool. Instead, use it as needed to maintain balanced pH and alkalinity levels after testing your water. Expect to use it more frequently during the peak swimming season and less often during colder months.
Does baking soda raise pH?
Baking soda effectively raises the pH in a pool, provided the existing pH is below 8. It also increases total alkalinity, so it’s essential to check these levels before application. For raising pH without affecting alkalinity, soda ash (sodium carbonate) is a more suitable option, as it has a significantly higher pH and will elevate pH levels without dramatically altering alkalinity.
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Best time of day to add baking soda to a pool
The timing of adding baking soda to your pool is flexible; whether you do it in the morning, afternoon, or evening, it will be effective. Just ensure that the pool pump has been running for several hours beforehand to facilitate thorough mixing.
What if you add too much baking soda to the pool?
Excessive amounts of baking soda can lead to a buildup of calcium in hard water, resulting in cloudy water and scaling on the pool edges and equipment. In such cases, use a pool brush to help dissolve the buildup rather than attempting to remove it physically. Since baking soda’s pH hovers around 8.3, it won’t raise the pH beyond this level, even with excessive additions. However, it will increase alkalinity levels, maintaining a balance until the pH reaches its natural limit.
FAQs
Is baking soda safe to use in pools?
Yes, baking soda is generally safe, as it is used in food and dental products. Just be cautious of wind conditions when adding it to avoid inhalation or contact with your eyes.
Will baking soda kill algae?
While baking soda does not directly kill algae, maintaining the correct pH with it helps prevent algae growth.
Can baking soda lower pH in a pool?
Though not the ideal method, adding baking soda can reduce a very high pH (9 or above) to around 8. However, it’s more effective to use muriatic acid for significant reductions.
Can I use baking soda if my pool is cloudy?
Yes, if your pool water is cloudy, adding baking soda can be part of the solution. Ensuring the right balance between pH and alkalinity before adding chlorine will expedite the process of clearing the water.
Can you swim after adding baking soda to a pool?
Since baking soda is non-toxic, it is safe to swim immediately after its addition, provided all other pool parameters are within acceptable limits.
Is Alkalinity Up the same as baking soda?
Yes, “Alkalinity Up” is composed entirely of sodium bicarbonate, making it identical to baking soda.