Owning a pool is the ultimate summer luxury, but it often comes with a side of neighbourly advice that isn’t always accurate. From the stinging eyes of chlorine to the pee-detecting dyes we were warned about as children, pool folklore is everywhere.
To help you maintain a crystal-clear oasis and avoid unnecessary labour, we’re debunking the most common pool myths and replacing them with the facts you need for a healthier swim.
Myth 1: If you can smell chlorine, the pool is clean
The Reality: It’s actually the opposite.
That classic pool smell isn’t the scent of a clean pool; it’s the smell of chloramines. Chloramines form when free chlorine reacts with contaminants like sweat, oils, and urine.
- The Fact: A healthy, well-balanced pool should have almost no smell at all. If the chemical scent is overpowering, it usually means the chlorine is used up, and you need to shock the pool to break down the chloramines and sanitise the water properly.
Myth 2: Chlorine turns blonde hair green
The Reality: Chlorine is the scapegoat, but copper is the culprit.
While chlorine can dry out your hair and make it more porous, it doesn’t change the colour. Green tints are caused by oxidised metals in the water, specifically copper. This can come from certain algaecides or from the erosion of copper heating elements in your pool system.
- The Fact: To prevent swimmer’s hair, rinse your hair with fresh water before jumping in (so it absorbs less pool water) and use a sequestering agent if your water has high metal content.
Myth 3: There is a chemical that turns purple if someone pees in the pool
The Reality: This is a parental myth designed to encourage good manners.
Despite what we were told as kids, there is no reliable chemical indicator that can instantly dye the water when it comes into contact with urine.
- The Fact: While the dye doesn’t exist, the hygiene issue does. Urine reacts with chlorine to create the irritating chloramines mentioned earlier. The best policy? Stick to the no peeing in the pool rule for the sake of the water chemistry, even without the threat of a purple cloud.
Myth 4: A clear pool is a healthy pool
The Reality: Clarity does not equal purity.
Water can look sparkling and blue while still having a dangerously low pH or high levels of bacteria and pathogens. For example, Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can survive in clear water for days.
- The Fact: The only way to know if a pool is healthy is through regular testing. Check your pH, alkalinity, and sanitiser levels at least twice a week, regardless of how pretty the water looks.
Myth 5: You don’t need to shock your pool if it’s not cloudy
The Reality: Shocking is a maintenance requirement, not just a fix.
Many owners only resort to shock treatment when the water turns green or murky. However, microscopic contaminants build up over time from rain, wind, and heavy bather loads.
- The Fact: You should shock your pool roughly once a week or after a heavy storm. This resets the sanitiser levels and ensures that organic matter is fully oxidised before it becomes a visible problem.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining a pool doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By moving past the myths and focusing on consistent testing and hygiene, you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying the water.
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Contact AG Budget today to speak with one of our Pool Maintenance specialists and ask any questions you may have. Call us on 0208 941 6618 or contact us.
