Things You'll Need:
- Non-scented household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) Baking soda (sodium bi-carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate) Muriatic acid Borax laundry detergent Pool filter Pool test kit
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Step 1
Refer to your pool manual to confirm the number of gallons of water it holds when filled to the proper capacity.
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Step 2
Test your pool water to determine the current chlorine, pH and alkalinity levels.
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Step 3
Balance the alkalinity using baking soda if it is too low. Use 1 1/2 pounds of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water. This will raise the alkalinity by 10 ppm.
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Step 4
Use Muriatic acid to lower the alkalinity of your pool water if it is elevated. Use 1.3 pints per 10,000 gallons of water to decrease the alkalinity by 10 ppm.
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Step 5
Increase your chlorine level by adding non-scented household bleach to your pool water. One half gallon to 10,000 gallons of water will raise the chlorine level to five ppm.
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Step 6
Raise your pH balance by adding Borax to your pool water. Use 1/2 cup, dissolved in a bucket of water, per 10,000 gallons of water. You will need to test your pool water to determine how much additional Borax to add because pH levels are based on a number of factors. Once you determine how much is needed in your pool, jot it down for future reference.
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Step 7
Turn on pool filter after adding chemicals and run for at least eight hours
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Step 8
Re-test the pool water using a pool test kit before swimming in pool to determine if chemical levels are safe. Adjust chemicals accordingly if needed.
