How to Clean Your Pool With a Saltwater Chlorination System

Saltwater chlorination systems provide an alternative to chemical pool cleaning systems. These systems benefit the environment as well as swimmers who can have allergic reactions to chlorine. Water chemistry is particularly important in saltwater chlorination systems, and cleaning your pool using this system is different from a traditional chlorine system.

Things You'll Need

• Non-iodized salt
• Commercial test kit

Instructions

1. Add non-iodized salt to the pool water. Check the manufacturer's recommendation for the level of salt needed for your saltwater chlorination system; on average, these systems require 2,500 to 3,000 parts per million of salt. This is not enough to make your pool water taste salty but enough to keep the system running.

2. Turn on the chlorination system, setting the level based on your pool usage. Your manufacturer's instructions should recommend a level for daily maintenance of your pool; if you do not have these instructions, choose a moderate level based on your pool usage. Increased bathing creates an increased demand for chlorine. The system should be set to run during the hottest hours of the day to keep chlorine levels stable, since chlorine usage is highest during these hours.

3. Test the chlorine levels in the pool to maintain the appropriate level of chlorination. Use a commercial test kit and take a sample of your pool water. Add the test medium and check the results. Appropriate levels of chlorine are between 2 and 4 parts per million.

4. Turn off the chlorination system before entering the pool.

References

• Pool Plaza: Benefits of Salt Water Pools
• Pool Plaza: How Salt Water Pools Work
• Intex: Saltwater System General FAQ