Can You Put Bleach In A Pool?

Yes, you can put bleach in a pool to sanitize and prevent algae growth because bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which acts as a chlorine sanitizer. Regular household bleach typically has about 6% active chlorine, which works similarly to liquid pool chlorine but at a lower concentration. This means you need to use more bleach compared to specialized pool chlorine products to achieve the same disinfecting effect.

However, there are some caveats. Bleach has a high pH (around 12), which can raise your pool's pH and require adjustments to keep water balanced. It also degrades quickly with sunlight, making it less stable and requiring more frequent applications. Using bleach may cause scaling issues and cloudy water if not carefully dosed.

Additionally, some bleaches have additives or scents that should never be used in pools—only plain, unscented bleach is safe. In emergency situations or if pool chlorine is unavailable, bleach is a safe and effective alternative, but generally, pool-specific chlorine products are more economical and stable for regular use.