Pool Chemical Dangers: What You Should Never Put in Your Swimming Pool

Owning a swimming pool involves paying close attention to what goes in the water. While you may already know to keep food and other contaminants out of the pool, it’s common to be unsure of which chemicals could be a problem. Many common household chemicals merely make the water dirty, but there are a few that could have drastic consequences. While learning about pool chemicals might involve a few chemistry lessons, it’s worth knowing which ones to avoid putting in your favorite aquatic feature.

Watch Out for Sunscreen

There’s no doubt wearing sunscreen outside is important for protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays. But it’s also important to know how to use sunscreen correctly. Always follow the instructions on the sunscreen label to protect your health. In most cases, you’ll find sunscreen should be applied a specific number of minutes before you hit the water. Allowing the sunscreen to absorb into your skin gives you better protection, and it prevents it from running off into the pool. Since sunscreen can break down underground pool liners and alter the pH levels in the water, it’s best to minimize how much gets into the system.

Skip Wearing Perfume & Cologne

Although it might be tempting to wear your favorite scent to a pool party, it’s better to skip this part of getting dressed. Once you go swimming, the perfume and cologne wear off. Since scented products can contain many different mixtures of chemicals, you can expect them to also alter the water chemistry. If the pH levels of the water get thrown off, you may deal with more algae or bacteria that could impact your health.

Avoid Using Petroleum-Based Products

You may hear people suggest using petroleum jelly to lubricate the O-rings on the pool filter. Unfortunately, these products can break down the pool filter and cause it to need premature replacement. If the pool filter is unable to do its job, the water can become unsafe for swimming within a short time.

Make Sure to Use the Right Type of Chlorine

Chlorine is one of the primary chemicals you can use to keep the pool water clear. However, it’s also a volatile chemical that comes in several different forms. Using the wrong type of chlorine can cause physical harm to your body and damage the pool. Make sure you choose chlorine designed for use in swimming pools, and avoid mixing different types.

If you aren’t sure how to use chlorine and other pool cleansing products, ask a professional. Making sure to follow the instructions for using chemicals properly helps you avoid potentially lethal consequences and be confident the water is safe for everyone. For instance, certain types of pool shock chemicals must be dissolved in water before you add them to the pool. When in doubt, ask a pool care expert for advice to avoid putting you or your new swimming feature in harm’s way.

If you take care to keep harmful chemicals out of your pool, you can prevent damage to the mechanical systems, keep it clean, and ensure your family will be able to enjoy it safely for many years to come. If you haven’t yet built your pool, reach out to San Diego Pools, the pros with decades of experience. We are one of the premier pool companies in San Diego, and our pool design and construction experts are dedicated to building exactly the pool you want and providing you with the highest-quality service in the industry. To get started on building the pool of your dreams, call us today.