How To Clear A Cloudy Pool With Baking Soda?

There is nothing worse than a murky pool that looks like something you should stay clear of, rather than enjoy in the warmer months. Whilst nothing beats the proper methods of cleaning a cloudy pool, some at-home methods can prove to be an excellent quick fix.

If you have guests coming over and want to make the water look its best, or just want to make sure the pool is safe and hygienic, using Baking Soda to clear a cloudy pool is easy and works well.

What Makes A Pool Turn Cloudy?

Just about anything can turn a pool cloudy, but the usual culprits seem obvious. The wrong balance of chlorine in your water can be a common reason, as well as high calcium levels and the formation of algae which will only get worse if left untreated.

Also, a faulty filter can lead to cloudy water. If it is unable to do its job you will want to fix it as the cloudy water will continue to appear otherwise. It is always a good idea to start by checking the filter as it could be clogged so a quick fix is all you need.

If your pool is cloudy after a storm, then the added debris and rainwater can be a factor, otherwise, things such as high alkailinty, sunscreen, and urine are common culprits.

Can A Cloudy Pool Be Dangerous?

A cloudy pool can be an indication of a wider issue and one that can cause health problems if untreated. It could be home to bacteria and parasites that can make you sick. Not only that be it can be dangerous because of the lack of visibility. This is particularly the case for young children who may mistake the deep end for the shallows and find themselves in trouble as a result.

Even if you are watching your children, if you cannot see them under the surface, they should not be swimming in there at all. Cloudy water contributes to many deaths by drowning every year so do not take the risk.

How To Prevent Cloudiness In A Pool

The best method is to regularly check on the important parts that contribute to a clean pool such as the filter. Also, maintaining the right chemical levels and cleaning the surface regularly is essential. When in regular use, the pool will need to be checked more. Most people don’t even clean their filters which is a simple and effective way of keeping pool water clearer.

How To Tell If The Water Is Becoming Cloudy

Aside from the obvious, sometimes pool water can start to look cloudy, signaling the start of a problem. Before it gets too bad, the early signs can serve as a warning. Check the shallow end, if you cannot see the bottom, or the clarity is reduced, you are looking at the start of a bigger issue. For your safety, and that of your family, take action before the problem worsens.

If you notice the weater is cloudy when people are using the pool, make sure everyone gets out as their safety is compromised. Even if the kids protest, remember you are doing the right thing.

Does Shocking Pool Water Make It Cloudy?

Sometimes, a solution to the problem of cloudy pool water can make it worse. The milky appearance of the pool water is off-putting after a shock, but it is only temporary. This can be an indication that the reaction is working and gets marginally worse before it gets better.

The best thing you can do is leave the water for a while and wait until it clears. This should take less than a day and the severity can differ depending on the brand used to shock the pool. Because they contain different chemcials they react differently with the pool water but should result in the same clarity when it has worked its magic.

You might need to run your filter for longer than usual but the instructions on the side of your pool shock chemicals will be able to point you in the right direction.

How To Clear A Pool Using Baking Soda

Most of the time, adjusting your filter settings or checking it is fully operational will give you the right solution to your cloudy pool. Otherwise, chemicals to get the right alkaline balance and chlorine levels are a smart move.

Some people like to look to what they have in their kitchen cupboard for a solution and use Baking Soda. Great for many household chores such as cleaning and cooking, Baking Soda is one of those ingredients that seems to be universal in what it can do. This stretches to clearing a cloudy pool. A natural alkaline, it will increase the pH levels in the pool.

There are plenty of products on the market that do a similar job but those tailored towards swimming pools are often more expensive, just to do a similar job. A small, kitchen ready pot of baking soda is not going to suffice, especially if you have a larger pool. Instead, buy a bag of at least 10 lbs because it takes a lot to increase the alkalinity of your pool water.

The general rule is to get the pH level to 7.0 and keep the alkailinity to within 80 and 120 ppm. Baking soda will increase the level of alkailinity by 10 ppm with every 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons of water.

Leave it to clear the water and keep an eye on its progress.

Conclusion

The best thing to do is maintain a clean pool all year round. the temptation is to leave it unattended for the colder months and clean it up when the summer approaches, but this isn’t ideal. Not only does it require a bigger job to clear the water, but it is hazardous to anyone who might fall in.

Even if you try and keep your pool clean throughout the year, it can become cloudy but is less likely to do so with the correct maintenance. If this is the case, then baking soda represents an excellent alternative to expensive products that are tailored to your pool.