Chlorine helps keep in-ground and above-ground swimming pools clean and safe. Besides killing harmful germs, it keeps away odours and helps prevent algae and slime from growing in the water.
However, constant exposure to chlorine leads to eye, throat, and nose irritation. In pools with high chlorine levels, one may even experience breathing challenges.
As a result, most pool owners are seeking alternatives to chlorine or ways to use a small amount with fewer adverse reactions. Although using ionisers and Bromine, for instance, ensures little use of chlorine, chlorine-free options can be pretty expensive.
Since we still require chlorine due to its numerous benefits, below are tips for keeping your pool clean without using a lot of chlorine.
Tips To Keep Your Pool Clean Without Relying On Chlorine
Besides using other sanitising processes, there are natural methods to keep your pool clean without using a lot of chlorine. These include:
- Keeping your pool covered
Keeping your pool cleaner is easier when debris and dirt cannot enter the pool. Having a pool cover prevents foreign materials from entering the water and preserves the water’s chemicals. As a result, you will only need to clean the pool a few times and use a little chlorine when necessary.
- Manually cleaning the swimming pool
Although it can be tedious and costly, manually cleaning your pool daily frees it from dirt. Removing any debris that falls into the water prevents it from introducing algae and slime into the pool.
Additionally, you can scrub every pool surface at least once a week to loosen off any dirt your filtration system cannot filter. When you manually clean the pool, you reduce the need for more chlorine to maintain it.
- Using an automatic robot pool cleaner
Modern pool cleaning equipment, such as the robot pool cleaner, makes work easier for swimming pool owners. If you invest in one, you will need little chemicals to keep your water dirt-free. Not only does it do all the surface scrubbing, but it also helps your filtration system as it has an inbuilt filter. Switch it on every few days; your pool will be cleaner and use less chlorine.
- Using Bromine
Bromine is in the same chemical family and can be used as an alternative to chlorine. However, pool suppliers recommend it as it has fewer allergic reactions. Although Bromine is a sanitiser, it is costly and does not oxidise as well as chlorine. Sometimes, pool owners purchase an alternative that contains a percentage of chlorine to do the job thoroughly.
Suppose you have a heated pool or a jacuzzi. In that case, Bromine works best as it performs well even in high water temperatures. Although it has a more pungent smell than chlorine, it is less irritating to the nose and throat. You will, however, notice a green colour when swimming, as Bromine has slower oxidisation properties.
- Using pool ionisers
Swimming pool ionisers use two metal properties: copper to kill algae and silver to sanitise the water. However, a little chlorine is necessary for effective cleaning through oxidisation. To use an ioniser device, a low current sends the metal properties into the water. The positive charges then attract germs, algae, and any bacteria in the water, carrying them to the filtration system for cleaning.
Ionisers do not cause eye, nose, or throat irritation but work better with a bit of chlorine. It is also ideal for small pools with few users and little surrounding plants or greenery. A high-use large pool that gets dirty quickly may not get proper sanitation using an ioniser. One may also need to run the pump throughout, as ionisers work well in moving water.
- Using PHMB
Polyhexamethylene biguanide (or PHMB) is the only replacement for chlorine that is kind to swimmers’ skin and hair. It is a chemical compound that breaks down bacteria into a gel-like substance that sinks to the pool’s bottom. From there, a vacuum can collect it.
However, PHMB does not oxidise the pool like chlorine, and one must use hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, pool owners must use a different algaecide and a sand pool filter once a month. PHMB is also quite expensive, and one must drain their pool before using it as it does not mix with chlorine.
Conclusion
Whichever option you choose, the only way to lower the use of chlorine in your pool is to clean it regularly. Any of the above options will treat your pool without costing you much money, apart from PHMB, which is the most expensive.
