Household Uses of Chlorine Granules

Surface Cleaning Uses

• Chlorine kills bacteria and other organic matter through oxidization. According to the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, the reaction consumes the chlorine in a given solution leaving behind residual amounts of the chemical element. Creating a solution of water with chlorine granules can create a household cleaning liquid that's safer to use than bleach and just as effective. According to Auburn University's Virtual Library, a chlorine concentration of 200 parts per million is necessary to be an effective disinfecting agent. If the temperature of the water containing the chlorine is less than 98 degrees Fahrenheit, a minimum 100 PPM is necessary. Water temperature ranging from 98 F to 122 F requires chlorine concentration at a minimum 50 PPM. If the water temperature exceeds 122 F, only 25 PPM of chlorine is necessary to kill bacteria.

Disinfecting Drinking Water

• Water drawn from an on-site well might not have the decontamination safeguards that water drawn from a municipal water source has in place. Chlorine granules can provide disinfecting power to remove harmful bacteria and other pathogens from the water supply before use as drinking or bathing water. According to the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, adding chlorine to water requires a trial and error process. As a general rule, a dose of 5 milligrams of chlorine per liter of water is sufficient to kill bacteria while remaining safe to drink.

Free Residual Chlorine

• When disinfecting water with chlorine, limit the free residual chlorine remaining in the water after the oxidization takes place. This represents the chlorine that had no organic matter to react with and remains active in the water supply. According to the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, an FRC level between 0.2 milligrams and 0.6 milligrams per liter is the most desirable. Any higher concentration could impact the taste of the water and potentially pose a health hazard. You can measure the chlorine level in a given water supply by using a pool chlorine tester kit.

Chlorine Mold Fighting

• A mixture of dissolved chlorine granules and household bleach in water can be an effective means of fighting mold growth in a home recently exposed to storm damage. This solution is only effective on porous surfaces in the home, including wood and drywall. It has no effect on harder surfaces that will not allow the solution to penetrate the outer layers. Always wear a protective breathing mask and goggles when working with a solution of this type as the fumes can cause nausea and dizziness. Contact with the eyes can cause mild irritation to severe damage depending on the concentration.