Can I Use Baking Soda To Clean A Pool?

Can I use baking soda to clean a pool? Pool cleaning is a job that almost no one looks forward to. Many people dread it entirely and will go out of their way to avoid having to clean the pool altogether; however, we find that this is not the wisest idea and can lead to you spending more time and money on getting your pool back in shape than if you simply did the work yourself.

The following list contains twelve unique ways how baking soda can be used to clean your pool:

1. Add It To Your Water Filter

Although water filters are fantastic at keeping debris such as leaves and bugs from reaching your pump, they sometimes fail when it comes to dissolving hair and other types of waste products. As a result, we recommend that you either pick up a pool-safe version of baking soda or simply add some to the filter itself.

Over time, this will help dissolve any hair that has snagged onto the filter and cause it to clog, making for easier cleaning next time around.

2. Use It To Clean Your Pool Skimmer

The skimmer is probably your best friend when it comes to keeping your pool clean; however, because you are constantly using it to remove debris and waste products from inside your pool (including sunscreen and lotion), they can become very dirty over time if the pool is not properly maintained.

What we like to do with our skimmers is combine three tablespoons of baking soda into one gallon of water and then pour this solution inside. Allow the entire thing to soak for about an hour and then scrub away with a soft brush (the bristles on this one work great).

3. Use It To Keep Your Pool Chlorine Levels Down

The more chlorine that’s in your pool, the easier it will be to kill off any bacteria or other harmful organisms; however, too much of it can leave you with irritated skin and red eyes. This is why we recommend keeping your chlorine levels at 1-3 ppm to maintain optimal safety while also cutting down on harsh smells and chemical burns.

4. Pour Baking Soda On The Floor And Cover With A Tarp After Vacuuming

If you go through the trouble of vacuuming your pool every few days, you may have noticed that there are always some fine particles of dirt left behind.

These are most likely chalk from the water softener and can eat away at your pool’s surface over time; however, we find that pouring a little bit of baking soda on the floor and covering it with a tarp after vacuuming will not only remove this residue but also help to keep your pool clean for longer (it makes it more slippery and therefore harder for dirt and other waste products to cling to its surface).

5. Use Baking Soda To Keep Your Water Clear

If you haven’t been careful about checking your pH levels or simply don’t know what they should be for optimal safety, there is a chance that the water in your pool may have a slight green tint to it. If this is the case, try adding another three tablespoons of baking soda to one gallon of water and pouring it into the pool – you should notice a vast improvement within just a few hours.

6. Make A Baking Soda Spray For Hard To Reach Areas

Sometimes keeping your water clean can be easier said than done; however, we’ve found that using this spray on hard-to-reach areas (such as under the diving board) makes for an excellent supplement to your daily vacuuming schedule.

All you need to do is combine four tablespoons of baking soda with eight ounces of hot water in an empty spray bottle and shake until dissolved. Use this solution when needed, and your pool will thank you.

7. Create Your Self-Cleaning Pool

Unfortunately, keeping a swimming pool clean is not as easy as stepping into the shower after a long day at work; however, if you’re willing to put in a little bit of extra work, there is a way that you can make your pool self-cleaning.

This process requires one solar cover and ten pounds of baking soda (spread evenly), but after just five hours, your water should be crystal clear and ready for use once again.

8. Remove Stains With Baking Soda

If you don’t have time to scrub down your entire pool daily, many people turn to muriatic acid before up completely; however, we’ve found that using baking soda to remove these stains generally works just as well (if not better!). All you need is a soft brush and one cup of baking soda per two square feet of surface area.

9. Add A Little Baking Soda To Your Filter

Similar to adding a little bit of vinegar to your filter before running it, the addition of half a cup of baking soda can help cut down on any harsh odors from stagnant water. Simply mix the two before pouring them into your filter and let it do all the work for you.

10. Use In The Dishwasher

You might be surprised to discover that baking soda can help with more than just cleaning pools; in fact, we find that this stuff works wonders on our dishwasher. Just add half a cup of baking soda to your soap dispenser along with an extra rinse cycle, and you’re all set.

11. Use Baking Soda With Shampoo To Bring Your Hair Back To Life

If you’ve finally had enough of that gross chlorine smell after spending too much time in the pool, we recommend giving this trick a shot; the addition of just one tablespoon of baking soda while shampooing your hair can eliminate any unwanted odors and leave your hair looking and feeling fresh and clean once again.