Inflatable pools are a popular choice for both kids and adults, providing a refreshing escape during hot summer afternoons. However, maintaining a clean pool is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. One common question that arises is whether chlorine can be used to treat inflatable pools. The answer depends on the size of your pool.
Chlorine can indeed be used to treat inflatable pools, effectively keeping them germ-free and safe for everyone. In this easy guide, we will explore how you can take care of your inflatable pool and ensure it remains clean and hygienic.
Table of Contents
Understanding Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element characterized by its greenish-yellow gas form, denoted by the symbol Cl. While raw chlorine is corrosive, toxic, and irritating to the eyes and respiratory system, it becomes a useful compound when it reacts with other compounds or elements. Chlorine is widely employed in various industries, including nutrition, food, water, medicine, security, transportation, and advanced technology. It is derived from ordinary salt and is abundant and essential.
Benefits of Chlorine
Chlorine offers numerous benefits, particularly in terms of water safety. In drinking water, chlorine ensures that we consume clean, bacteria-free water. In pools, chlorine plays a crucial role in preventing the infestation of ectoparasites like lice and ringworm on our skin.
Even in saltwater pools, chlorine is necessary because other cleaning methods only clean the water before you enter the pool, doing little to maintain its hygiene over time. Chlorine in the pool acts as a residual agent, continuously combating contaminants that might enter the water. By effectively neutralizing bacteria, chlorine protects against gastrointestinal, skin, ear, wound, neurologic, eye, and respiratory infections, particularly those caused by bacteria in the E. coli family.
However, it’s important to note that chlorine treatment should not replace proper personal hygiene practices. Observing good hygiene habits alongside chlorine treatment is essential to maximize its effectiveness.
Can You Put Chlorine in an Inflatable Pool?
The answer to whether you can put chlorine in an inflatable pool depends on the size of the pool. Large swimming pools are commonly treated with chlorine, and many pool owners use it to maintain pH levels and prevent bacterial growth. If you have a large inflatable pool, using chlorine is recommended. Stagnant water can attract bacteria, which can multiply rapidly, leading to potential diseases.
However, for small inflatable pools, chlorine may not be necessary. There are alternative methods to keep small inflatable pools clean without using chemicals, which may have side effects. It’s crucial to prioritize the hygiene of your pool to avoid unnecessary repairs and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some alternative methods to keep your inflatable pool clean without using chlorine:
- Refilling Inflatable Pools with Fresh Water
- Using a Saltwater System
- Using Baking Soda
- Bleaching
- Using a Pool Cover
- Using a Pump Filter and Pool Vacuum
Determining the Necessary Amount of Chlorine
The amount of chlorine needed for your inflatable pool depends on its size, frequency of use, and other factors. As the size of the pool increases, so does the chlorine demand. This is due to the higher number of contaminants present in a larger pool, such as sweat, body lotions, sunscreen, and hair products introduced by pool users.
To reduce the chlorine demand of your pool, encourage swimmers to shower before entering the pool and educate them about the importance of maintaining personal hygiene. Despite these precautions, adding chlorine to your pool is still necessary because sunlight can break down free chlorine, rendering it less effective. You can add a chlorine stabilizer like cyanur
ic acid to counteract the degrading effect of sunlight on chlorine levels.
As a general guideline, the amount of chlorine needed for an inflatable pool is approximately a quarter of a teaspoon for every 10 gallons of water. For a medium-sized pool that holds about 100 gallons, applying this recommended amount of chlorine once every two weeks should suffice.
Dealing with Excessive Chlorine
If you find that your pool has too much chlorine, certain signs may indicate this issue. Some people may experience eye irritation, itchy skin, or notice an unpleasant odor in the water. However, these signs are not indicative of an excess of chlorine but rather insufficient chlorine levels. The presence of chloramines, which are formed when chlorine combines with organic matter, can cause these symptoms. To remedy the situation, adding more chlorine is necessary.
If you experience irritation in your inflatable pool, it could also be due to an imbalanced pH level. Low or high pH values can indicate acidic or basic water, respectively, and should be corrected to maintain proper water balance. Additionally, green hair after swimming is not caused by chlorine but rather by copper reacting with proteins in the hair or imbalanced pH levels.
Understanding the Risks of Chlorine
When used in the appropriate amount, chlorine does not pose any significant risks. In fact, the amount of chlorine found in our drinking water is often higher than what is present in pools. It is crucial, however, to handle and apply chlorine correctly. Different forms of chlorine, such as pellets, liquid, and sticks, should not be mixed together. Additionally, it’s important to avoid inhaling chlorine fumes, as they can be toxic in their raw form.
Applying Chlorine to Your Inflatable Pool
To apply chlorine to your inflatable pool, follow these steps:
- Determine the amount of water your pool holds. This information will help you determine the appropriate amount of chlorine to add. Consult the manufacturer’s manual for recommendations. As a general guideline, the recommended quantity is 2 1/2 teaspoons of chlorine for every 100 gallons of water.
- Before starting, read and understand the directions provided in the manual. It’s important to wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself during the process.
- Conduct a series of tests to assess the water’s chlorine content (including free and total chlorine), pH level (which indicates acidity or alkalinity), and the amount of chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric acid) present. Test strips are available for these measurements, or you can take a water sample to your local pool store for testing.
- Based on the test results, determine if any adjustments are needed. If the pH level is imbalanced, use alkalinity increasers or decreasers to rectify the situation. The ideal pH value for a pool is 7.2. If the chlorine level is high, a chlorine neutralizer or dilution of the water may be necessary.
- Add a chlorine stabilizer (pool conditioner) to prevent the chlorine from being broken down by sunlight.
- Once every week or two, shock the pool by adding a pool shock product or a chlorine sock to eliminate residual particles and bacteria. After shocking the pool, wait at least 8 hours before swimming in it.
Keeping Your Inflatable Pool Clean
In addition to chlorine treatment, there are other practices to keep your inflatable pool clean:
- Regularly remove visible debris, such as leaves, toys, dead bugs, and clothing, from the pool using a net. These materials can harbor pathogens.
- Use a pool vacuum to clean the bottom of the pool and remove any debris that may have settled there.
- Brush the pool interior to remove any dirt or algae buildup. While using a pool brush with a vacuum attachment can be effective
for surface cleaning, thoroughly cleaning the inflatable material is best achieved by draining the pool. 4. Regularly apply chlorine and chlorine stabilizer to ensure the pool remains free from disease-causing organisms.
- Check and maintain your pool filter to ensure it is functioning properly. Replace the filter if it is not effectively filtering the water.
- Cover or deflate the inflatable pool when it is not in use to prevent debris from entering the water. This practice reduces the time and effort required for cleaning and helps prolong the lifespan of the pool.
Conclusion
Chlorine is a crucial agent for protecting not only our inflatable pools but also our drinking water. By eliminating harmful organisms from the water, chlorine helps prevent illnesses and diseases. It is important to use the correct amount of chlorine to avoid health issues for swimmers. While some may associate certain irritations and odors with chlorine in the water, these are not caused by chlorine itself. When used in the appropriate amounts, chlorine is not toxic.
Take the necessary steps to chlorinate your inflatable pool water and protect yourself and your family from waterborne infections. Remember to follow safety guidelines when handling chlorine, and ensure that you apply it correctly to your pool. By maintaining good hygiene practices and utilizing alternative cleaning methods when appropriate, you can enjoy a clean and safe inflatable pool experience.
