Chlorine has got its benefits. Everyone knows this. But as with most things, it is best added in moderation. Chlorine could cause issues for your hair and swimwear. If you are someone with skin and respiratory allergies, excess chlorine could cause issues for you.
In this article, I will be discussing if you can use hydrogen peroxide to lower chlorine levels in your hot tub.
Let’s dive in.
How do you neutralize chlorine in a hot tub?
Chlorine levels can increase for so many reasons, such as: putting too many tablets in your pool, or adding more shock than necessary to your tub. This could lead to chlorine levels getting to a range of around 20 parts per million. And these are levels generally unsafe to swim in.
But not to worry, there are ways you can go about it to ensure that your chlorine levels are brought back to normal. I will list them below.
- Allow nature to do its work: Leave the pool cover off and allow nature’s work to take place. The chlorine won’t remain in the pool forever. Naturally, the chlorine will begin to dissipate. So give it time to gas off. Also, exposing your tub to sunlight is very effective. The UV rays from the sun help to degrade chlorine. The sunlight will cause chlorine to leave the water faster, and in no distant time, the chlorine levels will be back to normal.
- Drain and dilute the pool: This method involves draining some volume of water and then refilling it with the lost volume. This process causes a dilution effect whereby the chlorine concentration is lowered by virtue of removing some chlorine and then adding more water. This process also reduces the concentration of other chemicals in the tub water. Dilution will also affect pH, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity levels. Just remember to adjust these other parameters after refilling with fresh water.
- Dive in: Yeah, this might sound absurd, but it isn’t. If the tub’s chlorine levels are around 5 parts per million, then it is still very much safe to swim in it. Bacteria and other organic matter from our bodies will use up the chlorine faster. Bathers can enter and not be scared of harm. However, if the levels of chlorine are around 10 parts per million or higher, it is strongly advised not to go near. Wait till the levels have come down before diving in.
- Using Chlorine Neutralizers: You can make use of some chemicals called chlorine neutralizers. Sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, and sodium metabisulfite are all in this class. They work to neutralize chlorine and bring down its levels. Be careful not to add too much as it can cause a problem for you if you want to add chlorine later on. They stay in the water for some time, and could keep on neutralizing any chlorine you add later on.
- Ascorbic acid: The addition of ascorbic acid is a very good option for reducing chlorine. It can be added in the form of sodium ascorbate. This reacts with chlorine to form harmless products. Hence, it is widely preferred as an option.
Does peroxide lower chlorine levels?
Yes, it does.
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer that, by a series of chemical reactions, helps to remove chlorine from your tub. It reacts with chlorine to produce water and oxygen, which are harmless products. Hydrogen peroxide works better in pH conditions that are higher than 7.0. If it is any lower, the hydrogen peroxide can be rendered ineffective.
How long does hydrogen peroxide take to break down chlorine?
Hydrogen peroxide has a half-life of 5–10 hours. But within minutes, it should have already started reducing the chlorine levels. This is because hydrogen peroxide reacts very quickly with hypochlorite ions.
So, depending on how much chlorine was in the pool and how much you meant to reduce it by, the duration could vary. It could take up to 24 hours for the hydrogen peroxide to react completely and bring down the chlorine to acceptable levels.
Can I put hydrogen peroxide in my hot tub?
If you are going to be using hydrogen peroxide, it is best that it be handled by professionals or someone who knows what they are doing. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that, if it comes near living tissue, can cause damage.
As a result, it must be handled with care. It can cause debilitating effects to eye and lung tissues permanently. It can also cause damage to light fixtures around the tub. All these should be kept in mind before using it.
How much hydrogen peroxide is needed to lower chlorine in a spa?
To lower chlorine levels effectively, hydrogen peroxide can be used. For every 100 gallons of water, 1/4 cup or 1 ounce is recommended. But it must be noted that hydrogen degrades quickly. So these levels might need to be topped up to bring the chlorine down to desired levels.
How can I lower my chlorine level quickly?
Here are some tips you can follow if you want to lower your chlorine levels quickly.
- Exposure to sunlight: Exposing chlorine to UV rays helps to degrade it faster. Expose your hot tub to sunlight and watch the chlorine levels drop. The sunlight will cause the chlorine to burn off from the water.
- Warm the pool: chlorine degrades faster in warm water. Also, warmer temperatures cause the bacteria to proliferate and cause more chlorine to be used up quicker. Also, in warmer water, chlorine can get destabilized and dissipate more easily.
- Use chlorine neutralizers: Chlorine neutralizers like sodium thiosulfate or sodium sulfite can be used to lower chlorine levels rapidly. But care should be taken not to add too much as the residual neutralizer level can have a continual effect on chlorine that might be added later on.
Can baking soda neutralize chlorine?
Baking soda doesn’t neutralize chlorine directly.
This is what happens. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. And sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance. When it is mixed with water, it causes the pH and alkalinity of the water to rise.
Remember that hydrogen needs an alkaline environment to work effectively. So adding baking soda is a way to do this. So, in essence, baking soda acts as a catalyst or primer to help hydrogen peroxide neutralize chlorine.
Will hydrogen peroxide neutralize bromine?
Yes, it will. Just like with chlorine, which is in the same class as bromine, hydrogen peroxide will neutralize the effects of bromine in the water. Hydrogen peroxide is generally incompatible with halogens. So, if you want the best results from your bromine, it is best not to keep hydrogen peroxide nearby.
Do I need bromine in my hot tub?
Yes, you can. Bromine is in the same class of halogens as chlorine, and it can be used as an alternative to chlorine. It has some strong oxidizing properties. Much like chlorine, it helps to eliminate those germs and bacteria that can cause illnesses. But it does this in its own way.
Bromine ionizes contaminants such as bacteria. It forces their chemical bonds apart, effectively killing them. Also, in higher temperatures, it remains more stable, thus lasting longer. Though it can be more expensive, it is still a recommended sanitizer for your pool.
Which is better for a hot tub: chlorine or bromine?
For a hot tub, bromine is the preferred choice. At higher temperatures, bromine levels remain fairly stable. At temperatures of 75°F, bromine is still stable. On the other hand, chlorine works at lower temperatures of 65°F. This feature makes it better for hot tubs, where the temperature of the tub‘s water is usually higher.
Another reason why bromine is preferred is because of its lessened tendency to irritate. Extended periods of exposure to chlorine can cause harsh effects on the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. But bromine, on the other hand, is milder on the skin. Bromine is therefore a better choice if you have certain skin allergies or respiratory problems.
Another reason why bromine is preferred is due to the fact that it has a lower pH. A lower pH means that water chemistry is much more balanced. This also means less stress and headaches from trying to figure out what more chemical adjustments you need to make.
Can you use both chlorine and bromine together?
No, you should not! The two chemicals react to give a dangerous reaction. Below are some things to avoid with chlorine and bromine:
- Do not ever mix them in water, as this can lead to a dangerous reaction. If you intend to change from one product to the other, be sure to drain your hot tub completely.
- Even in their dry state, avoid mixing them. They can react dangerously. This is especially true when they are in granule form.
- Do not use the same feeder for them. Even when you think you have cleared it out completely, some remnants could still be left. These remnants can then react dangerously.
