When talking about pool chemicals, I bet you aren’t thinking of storing them in the laundry room or under the sink. However, borax is the exception to that rule and is a great pool chemical to have handy!
Borax is sodium borate that has been used for decades as a laundry detergent, cleaning agent, and insecticide. But, over the years it also has been a useful and inexpensive way to maintain a pool’s pH levels.
What Does Borax Do For A Pool?
Borax is used to increase pH in a pool. While there are other ways to raise pH levels, like aeration, borax is a quicker alternative.
Soda ash is also a common pH increaser, and you may even see it labeled in stores as “pH Up” or “pH Plus.” However, soda ash will also increase total alkalinity (TA) levels. Borax, on the other hand, has very little to no effect on TA.
Borax is a much cheaper option than alternatives, and buying in bulk makes it even cheaper. It is commonly sold in the detergent aisle in stores and is available as 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster.
Using Borax to Increase pH
When the pH in a pool is low, it means that the pool water has become acidic. This can have several negative effects on both swimmers and equipment.
Low pH can irritate a swimmer’s skin and eyes due to the overly acidic condition. It can also speed up the corrosion of metal parts in pool equipment such as ladders, pumps, and heaters, decreasing their longevity.
An ideal pH should be between 7.2 and 8.0. Anything lower than that will require a dose of borax in the pool.
How Much Borax Do You Put in the Pool?
In order to find out the amount of borax you need, first we need to test the pool’s water. an accurate and reliable pool testing kit is the only way to know what the current pH level is in the water
The most accurate and reliable pool testing kit.
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Once you know how much your pH needs to be raised, refer to this calculator by Trouble Free Pool to get a reasonable estimate of how much borax will need to be added. Follow the directions in the “pH” setting.
First, you will need to know how many gallons your pool holds. If you are unsure, get a reasonable estimate using our pool volume calculator.
How to Add Borax to the Pool?
Once it’s determined how much borax is needed, follow these steps to add it to your pool:
- Dilute the borax: Start by mixing the required amount of borax in a bucket of pool water. This helps to ensure that the borax disperses evenly throughout the pool.
- Pour the mixture into the pool: Slowly pour the diluted borax into the deep end of the pool, ideally in front of a return jet to speed up the mixing.
- Use Your Brush to Fully Dissolve: If all of the borax particles do not dissolve before they reach the bottom, use your brush to quickly disperse the rest.
Always remember to add borax gradually, and continuously test the pH level of the pool after each addition. This will help you avoid overshooting the desired pH level.
What Happens if I Added Too Much Borax to the Pool?
If there was a bit too much borax added, pH can be lowered by using muriatic acid. Keep in mind that muriatic acid will also lower total alkalinity (TA) levels, so test both parameters beforehand to know where you are at.
The Borax of All Trades in Pool Care
Let’s face it, most pool chemicals are expensive. But it is important to know that there are important pieces of maintenance that don’t have to break the bank!
So next time pH is trending downward and needs a lift, let borax come to the rescue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Borax Increase Total Alkalinity?
Borax will very slightly raise total alkalinity (TA) levels, but not as much as it would if using soda ash. If you need to raise pH without raising TA, aeration is the recommended way. Keep in mind that this will take a longer time to increase pH.
Will Borax kill algae in a pool?
Borax will not directly help kill algae in the pool. However, it helps stabilize pH levels which in turn will help your chlorine do its job of killing and preventing algae from growing.
Is it safe to put borax in your pool?
Not only is it safe to put in the pool, but it’s also the recommended chemical to increase pH levels. It helps in maintaining overall water balance when the pool needs a boost in pH.