The Laundry Staple That Can Help Keep Your Pool Clean

If you own a pool, you'll know it can be tricky to keep in tip-top condition all year round. From inclement weather to swimming in it regularly, several factors can change a pool environment. To prevent any icky results from not cleaning your pool, you can use Borax to help you achieve a clean pool environment. Sometimes referred to as sodium tetraborate, Borax originates from evaporated salt lakes and is also often found when mining. Its high alkaline pH makes water softer, which is why it's so useful for cleaning and laundry purposes. It can even be used in addition to or in place of detergents.

The naturally occurring mineral is a great way to keep your pool water in good condition so you can enjoy swimming laps more. In addition to being easy to carry out, this genius tip for using Borax at home is super affordable, as it's the only necessary ingredient. By using the below tips to keep your pool fresh, you can continue to enjoy it throughout the year.

If you're unsure whether your pool needs Borax, a good rule of thumb is to check the pH levels. Your pool pH should be sitting between 7 and 7.6. Anything higher, and you could be at risk for skin irritation. Any lower, and you could find yourself with sore eyes when swimming. If it's any less than 7, adding borax could help even things out. A basic formula is to add 20 ounces per 5,000 gallons of pool water. 

You can alter this formula depending on the size of your pool and how low the pH is. If you prefer to work with cup measurements, another formula is to use half a cup of Borax per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Borax does dissolve but will continue to give your pool benefits over time as well as altering its pH to a better level. Plus, adding Borax to your pool might mean you can add less chlorine, which will save you money in the long run.

Once you have added the Borax to your pool, it will take a while for it to work. How long it will take will depend on how large your pool is and how much Borax you added. To help it dissolve faster, use a brush at the sides of your pool to swish it around and ensure even distribution. Test the pH of the water around two days after application to see if it has raised the pH of the water to the optimal levels of between 7 and 7.6.

Though adding Borax is a great way to keep your pool water pH at the right level, sometimes it will raise it too high. In this case, you may need to balance things out with muriatic acid, which will reduce the overall pH. However, always research on whether this is safe for your pool water and how much to use. In general, Borax is a great way to even things out in your pool water and get it back to a desired pH without any major fuss or expense. You can also keep Borax on hand for other cleaning tasks around the house, like cleaning your shower and bathtub.