What a little headache this could be for kiddie owners. You want to know the best way to sanitize the pool for your kids. But also, you don’t want what will hurt them. Well, look no further, because in this article we will be dissecting all that you need to know about adding bleach as a sanitizing agent in your kiddie pool.
How much bleach do I put in a kiddie pool?
Kiddies pools range in size from anything between 30 gallons for children two years old and older, up to 300 gallons and more. The size of the pool will be a great factor in deciding how much bleach you need to put in. The number of gallons it can hold will let you know what amount of disinfectant you can use.
Bleach is a good water sanitizer. Even at that, there are some considerations you should make before adding bleach to the kiddie pool. Small inflatable pools like that are usually filled from a tap or spigot.
There is usually residual chlorine in that water. So it is recommended you know how much there is first, as this will influence the amount of bleach you add.
Another consideration is the bleach strength. House bleach, though similar to pool chlorine, differs in terms of its chlorine concentration. Household bleach usually ranges from 5–10%, while you might see pool chlorine ranging from 65–100% in chlorine concentration.
All you need to do is calculate how much volume your pool carries and add the bleach in the right proportion.
What can you put in a kiddie pool to keep the water clean?
Pool solutions recommend that there are four things you should have to keep your kiddie pool in a sanitized state.
- Chlorine that has been stabilized: Stabilized chlorine is one that has been combined with cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid is a pool stabilizer that helps reduce the rate at which chlorine is degraded. In the presence of sunlight, the UV rays coming from the sun can cause chlorine to evaporate easily. So the stabilizer combined with the chlorine helps to reduce how fast that happens. This enables the chlorine to work for longer.
Stabilized chlorine can come in tablet, powdered(granular) or liquid form. Even if you can’t access chlorine that comes stabilized, one can easily add normal chlorine, and then add stabilizer separately. It will still do the work.
However, it should be noted that care should be taken when adding the cyanuric acid or stabilized chlorine. Too much of it can cause chlorine lock. Chlorine lock is a situation whereby no matter how much chlorine you add, the chlorine levels in your pool remain the same. This is because the stabilizer will “lock” it and prevent it from disinfecting.
- Algaecide: Algaecides are another important chemical that you must have in your arsenal. Algaecides, as the name implies, are there to kill algae. They can act as backups to chlorine when the chlorine levels are low. They are also chemicals that act to prevent algae buildup in the first place.
They are especially useful if you don’t intend to refill the pool on a daily basis. Algae finds stagnant water a good place to bloom and flourish. Algaecides go a long way in preventing that. It also acts against those bacteria that might be resistant to chlorine.
You can get an algaecide that is 60% active strength.
- Borax: Borax is a white powdery substance that goes by many names. It is also known as sodium tetraborate, sodium borate, or disodium tetraborate. It is quite a popular household name as it is commonly used as a detergent booster. It also plays an immense role in helping pool owners sanitize their pools.
Borax helps to stabilize alkalinity in a pool and also acts as a pH buffer. It provides a good alternative to baking soda and soda ash. For years, baking soda and soda ash have been used to raise the pH levels of swimming pools. But they happen to have their own side effects.
These chemicals tend to raise the alkalinity of a pool beyond levels that are desirable. This prevents chlorine from working effectively. Borax is a better option because it keeps the pH level of a pool stable without raising the alkalinity.
Borax also prevents algae from blooming and also the formation of chloramines. As a result, chlorine can disinfect effectively and for longer. In all, the chlorine lasts longer in the pool. It also means that you use less chlorine, so you eventually save more.
Borax does not evaporate from the pool when it has been dissolved. This means that you have clean and sparkling water for longer periods. It is a very good option to have. Now as regards how much borax you should add, you had 20 oz of borax for every 5000 gallons of water.
- Bleach: As mentioned before, bleach is a good option to have in maintaining the cleanliness of your kiddie pool. Though bleach has a less concentrated amount of chlorine, it is still effective at disinfecting the pool. Depending on the size of A few tablespoons of bleach every day will help to keep your kiddie pool sanitary.
This is a good thing to do, especially when you are not going to be emptying out the pool on a daily basis. The bleach will prevent germs from thriving. This also reduces the incidence of certain recreational water illnesses.
How long can you leave water in a kiddie pool?
This depends on if you’re going to be chlorinating the pool or not. If you’re going to be chlorinating, you can decide to change the pool water a minimum of every two weeks. If you’re not using chlorine, then it’s wise to change the water on a daily basis.
Can you add chlorine to a kiddie pool?
Yes, you can.
Chlorine keeps your pool water cleaner and clearer for longer. Just make sure that the levels of chlorine after chlorinating are at acceptable levels before the kids dive in.
How do you keep the water in a kiddie pool clean?
- Regularly skim the pool for debris.
- Cover the pool when it’s not in use.
- Refill and drain the water on a regular basis.
- Ensure you shock the pool and chlorinate it to kill pathogens.
- Vacuum the pool for any debris that might have sunk to the bottom.
How do I keep my kiddie pool clean naturally?
There are quite a number of alternative natural options you can make use of without resorting to chlorine.
- Use a skimming net and skim for debris and other falling matter on a regular basis.
- Vacuum your pool: Vacuum your pool for debris that has sunk to the bottom of the 1. Use a skimming net and skim for debris and other falling matter on a regular basis.
- Use vinegar: Vinegar is organic and also happens to be a good cleaner. Add 1 or half cup to the water every day. It can help lower the pH and kill bacteria. Also, when cleaning the pool, add it to the water and use it to rub on the walls of your inflatable pool.
Can I use salt to keep a kiddie pool clean?
Yes, you can.
The salt generators have made this possible. Salt generators are electrolytic conductors that make use of electrolysis to convert saltwater into chlorine gas. The water is mixed with salt and then it’s put into these generators.
The chlorine generated is released and then it can kill those harmful bacteria, algae, and other organic matter. This saves you the stress of having to shock your pool or add any additional chlorine.
Will vinegar keep the kiddie pool clean?
Yes, it will. By adding one or half cup of vinegar every day to your pool water, you keep your pool water cleaner and clearer for longer. Instead of having to change your pool water every two to three days, you can extend this time span to over a week.
How do you keep a kiddie pool clean without draining it?
Follow these steps if you want to keep your kiddie pool clean without draining.
- Skim the pool regularly
- Vacuum the pool for any debris
- Cover the pool when it’s not in use.
- Regularly chlorinate the pool.
- Every week, shock the pool.
Do you have to drain the kiddie pool every day?
No, you don’t.
This depends on whether you are chlorinating the pool. If you are not chlorinating the pool, then you must empty it every day to prevent any buildup of bacteria or germs. If you are chlorinating it, then you can leave it for up to two weeks before draining.
What is the easiest way to drain a kiddie pool?
You could make use of a garden hose and, using siphon pressure, let it drain. Another option is pulling out the drain plug and letting the water drain. You just have to be careful where you are draining the water to prevent water-logging.
Can I put baking soda in my kiddie pool?
You can use baking soda to raise the pH.
