Pool water is milky and cloudy: 4 home remedies

If the pool water has been in the pool for some time, it often becomes milky and cloudy. In addition to algae, this is also due to small floating particles from the air that have settled on the water and are now slowly gliding downwards.

causes

When the pool water is milky and cloudy, you often lose the desire to swim, even if it is a very hot day. But where does the not dirty but unsightly water in the pool come from? This can have many causes that have to be fought again and again. Because clean water and a well-kept pool take a little time. The causes are usually the following:

  • algae
  • airborne particles
  • leaves
  • dead insects
  • wrong pH value
  • dander
  • hair
  • skin cream

Even if chlorine is used, this is no guarantee that the water will remain clear. The primary purpose of chlorine is to kill the bacteria in the water.

Note: You should always use chlorine when installing a pool for an extended period of time. If you want to avoid adding chlorine and only want to keep the water reasonably clean with the help of a filter, then you should change it regularly. Otherwise, over time, too many bacteria will form in the water, which could endanger you and your health. Chlorine has nothing to do with water that has become cloudy and milky.

ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid can be used against the milky and cloudy pool water. This is also known as vitamin C and can help against the green discoloration of the water caused by algae. The ascorbic acid is available in the drugstore, in pharmacies as well as in specialist shops for pools. The procedure for the appointment is as follows:

  • about 50g per 5 m³ of water
  • Leave on for 24 hours
  • then the water is clear again
Tip: Ascorbic acid is also found in small amounts in painkillers with added vitamin C. However, due to the small proportion, these are not suitable for cleaning the pool. Here you should fall back on pure ascorbic acid.

Set the pH optimally

The pH value must be optimally adjusted for clean pool water , and this can be achieved without chemicals using only household remedies. However, the addition of chlorine should not be avoided in water that remains in the pool throughout the summer or even throughout the year. The home remedies for regulating the pH value are therefore also used. It is important that the pH value for the chlorine to work should be between 7.0 and 7.4.

home remedies for lowering

Normally, inorganic acids are used to lower the pH in the pool. But another acid can also be used, which is available in every household:

  • one liter of vinegar to 10 m³ of water
  • pH is lowered by about 0.2
  • Vinegar can also have adverse effects
  • Food for different bacteria

After several hours, measure the pH again and repeat the addition of vinegar if necessary. It is important to use chlorine against the bacteria, which could be strengthened by the vinegar.

Home remedies for lifting

The means from the trade to raise the pH value of the pool water work mainly on the basis of sodium carbonate. This is just plain soda. This is used for baking or washing in the household. So it can be used like this:

  • use washing soda
  • available in drugstores
  • 5g soda on one m³ of water
  • increases the value by 0.2
  • Always leave the pump running
  • gradually increase the value
  • measure the result after a few hours
  • Repeat application if necessary
Tip: You can easily determine the pH value yourself. There are special sets available online in various shops or in the local pharmacy. These packs, which usually contain 100 strips, will last for several years. You should pay attention to strips that have a narrow measuring range, as these display more precisely.

Showers

The water is also contaminated by us humans in particular, so it makes sense to take a shower before entering the pool. Slippers should then be worn for the way from the shower to the pool. The following buildup is removed by the warm water and no longer gets into the pool water:

  • sweat
  • urine
  • dander
  • cosmetics
  • skin or sunscreen
  • loose hair
  • grass on your feet
  • small pebbles or sand
Tip: Pets like to go swimming too, including dogs. If your dog likes to jump into the pool, you should give it a good shower beforehand. This means that less hair and skin particles from the animal get into the pool water and make it cloudy and milky.

Use pool vacuum

With pool vacuums there is the possibility to use manual or automatic pool robots. Of course, the manual pool vacuums are a lot cheaper, but they also have to be used with physical effort. Pool robots, on the other hand, drive independently over the pool floor, the walls and the surface. The more thoroughly the walls and floor are cleaned, the cleaner the water will be afterwards. The suction cups pick up all foreign particles that are floating in the water, so that the water does not become cloudy in the first place if the suction cups are used regularly.

Prevent

To prevent the water in the pool from becoming milky in the first place, it is important to take preventive measures. In addition to showering before going into the pool, there are other preventive measures:

  • Use water filters regularly
    • helps against dirt in the water
  • Don’t forget to maintain the filters
  • Always cover pool when not in use
    • Protection against UV radiation
    • Algae cannot form
    • Airborne particles stay outside
  • Location not under trees
    • so no leaves or insects fall off

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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