Swimming pools provide an excellent relaxation spot, but they also require frequent maintenance. To keep the water clean and clear, you need to invest in removing debris and adding chemicals, one of which is chlorine.
While chlorine is effective and affordable, it has several side effects. The unpleasant smell and can make your skin and eyes itchy. When it reacts with ammonia, it can affect your health adversely.
However, the good thing is that you can keep your above ground swimming pools in pristine condition without using chlorine. Here are some of the ways to keep your pool clean without chlorine.
Use Bromine or PHBM
Although it’s more reactive than chlorine, bromine is gentler on the skin. Moreover, its composition doesn’t change, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. With bromine, the chemical balance changes after prolonged exposure to the sun.
PHBM is also an effective swimming pool disinfectant. On the downside, it is rare and expensive.
Use Salt
Recently, more homeowners are using saltwater sanitizers in place of chlorine to keep their pools clean. Saltwater systems use chlorine, but the difference with regular chlorine lies in how it works. Precisely, a salt sanitizer converts salt into a form of chlorine gas that disinfects your pool water.
You only need to add table salt to the system, which then mixes it with water and electrolyses it. The electrolysis produces chlorine that keeps your pool water clean by killing bacteria and other unwanted organisms. This cycle is endless, meaning that you won’t have to add salt regularly.
Buy a Robotic Cleaner
Robotic pool cleaners are a convenient option for those who don’t want to clean swimming pools manually. These smart devices are also an excellent alternative to chlorine.
When cleaning the pool, a robotic cleaner uses a brush to scrub the dirt before the built-in vacuum absorbs it and collects it in a filter basket.
Always consider the material used for constructing your pool before buying a robotic cleaner. This is because some cleaners are unsuitable for particular surfaces, especially vinyl and fiberglass. Others can only clean floors and walls.
Since you need to consider multiple factors before purchasing a robotic pool cleaner, it’s advisable to consult others and read online reviews.
Use UV Lights
UV lights can help you keep your swimming pool clean and stop using chlorine. When you pass dirty water under UV rays, it comes out clean. This is because the energy generated by the rays kills microorganisms that are usually resistant to chlorine.
Though the water won’t be as clean as when it’s treated using chlorine, it will feel refreshing when you touch it.
Use Ozone
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear ozone is global warming. Many people are unaware that ozone can help keep your pool clean. It works by killing microorganisms and other contaminants, after which it converts into oxygen. Because of ozone instability, you need a little chlorine if you want consistent cleanliness.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that chlorine is effective and readily available. However, its adverse effects have got many homeowners looking for alternatives, such as those mentioned in this article. That said, you need to use other methods to keep your pool water clean, such as investing in a pool cover and removing leaves and other debris regularly.
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