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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Both Use the Same Compound
Both bleach and liquid pool chlorine are solutions made from the chemical compound sodium hypochlorite, or NaOCl. Sodium hypochlorite is a highly unstable salt that easily becomes sodium chlorate. Its disinfecting and oxidation properties make it ideal for bleaching, odor control and water purification.
On the Other: Chlorine Has a Higher Percentage
Bleach typically consists of 3 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite by solution, while liquid pool chlorine has about twice the concentration of NaOCI. In other words, half a gallon of liquid pool chlorine has the same amount of sodium hypochlorite as one gallon of bleach. At those respective quantities, both the chlorine and bleach will increase the chlorine level by five parts per million in 10,000 gallons of water, according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation.
Bottom Line
Pool chlorine is about twice as strong as bleach, and a 12 percent solution is typically used for the chlorination of swimming pools. Bleach is not a cost-effective replacement for chlorine.
Source:
National Swimming Pool Foundation
Pool Solutions: Swimming Pool Chemicals at the Grocery Store
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