What can I use in my swimming pool to increase pH level & alkalinity? Do I have to use actual pool chemicals?
I’ve heard people say you can use baking soda and regular chlorine bleach. I’m not sure which works for pH and/or alkalinity, though.
Raise alkalinity with sodium bicarbonate. Adjust it first, then tweak the pH with soda ash. To lower either one use acid. Muriatic (dilute hydrochloric) is most common. But dry acid is also used. Chlorine is for sanitizing and oxidizing. Before you start dosing your pool with bleach have the calcium hardness checked. If it is too high you might cause the calcium to drop out of solution and stick to the walls/piping/filter/etc. You can create some difficulties for yourself unknowingly by changing suddenly.
The Wonders of: Pool Chemicals
