BBB Method Kiddie Pool Cleaning

Borax

• Borax is available in the laundry aisle in the grocery store and will raise the pH of the water. The pH will affect everything from the effectiveness of the bleach to clean water to how the water will affect the swimmers. When the pH is off balance, swimmers can have red, irritated eyes and itchy skin. Ideal pH for swimming is between 7.2 and 7.6. About 1/2 a teaspoon will treat a kiddie pool with 26 gallons.

Bleach

• The active ingredient in household bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is the same as the active ingredient of packaged chlorine. The bleach is the sanitizer that will keep the water free of harmful organisms. 2 teaspoons will treat a kiddie pool with 26 gallons.

Baking Soda

• Baking soda will raise the total alkalinity of the water. The alkalinity keeps the pH stable which then allows the bleach to remove more bacteria and contaminates. About a 1/2 of a teaspoon of baking soda will treat 26 gallons of water.