What Does Baking Soda Do For Your Pool?

Baking soda is a multi-purpose ingredient that does so much more than being used in cooking. It’s a common household staple that is used to clean fridges, microwave ovens, and remove stains from laundry. But have you ever wondered what baking soda can do for your pool? Turns out, it plays a vital role in pool care.

In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of baking soda for a pool and share practical insights on its use.

Why Add Baking Soda to Your Pool? 

Baking soda is a must-have ingredient for pool owners. This is because it has a pH of 8.3, which helps increase the total alkalinity (TA) of the pool. The total alkalinity refers to the amount of bicarbonate content present in pool water. The ideal range of TA is between 80 and 150 ppm. Some brands of alkalinity increasers contain only one active ingredient: sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda.

Once you find out that your pool’s chemistry is off-balance, you should adjust the total alkalinity.

When and How to Use Baking Soda in Your Pool 

You should use baking soda in your pool when the pool’s alkalinity is low, i.e., less than 80 ppm, but the pH is near or above 7.2. Generally, 1.5 lbs of baking soda per 10,000 gallons raises alkalinity by ~10 ppm.

Follow the steps below to add baking soda to your pool correctly.

1. Test the water to confirm low alkalinity. Before adding baking soda to your pool, you should test the pool water and confirm if low alkalinity is the issue. Not testing the water beforehand and adding baking soda may worsen the issue. 
2. Calculate the pool volume and the required amount of baking soda.
3. Dissolve baking soda in water or broadcast evenly across the pool surface.
4. Wait 6-24 hours for circulation, then retest.

Note: You should not overuse baking soda as it may lead to cloudiness or too much alkaline water. But, how do you know how much baking soda should be added to your pool? Let’s find out next.

Does Baking Soda Raise pH in Pools? 

No, baking soda doesn’t directly raise the pH of water in pools. In fact, it is primarily used to raise total alkalinity, with a natural pH of about 8.3. But it has a minimal effect on pH, typically increasing it by less than 0.1 per 20 ppm increase in alkalinity.

In contrast, soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises both pH and alkalinity more significantly. However, baking soda for pools is preferred for stabilizing alkalinity without drastically altering the pH, making it ideal for pools with low alkalinity but a stable pH. For more help with pool chemistry, explore our step-by-step guides on how to test pH in your pool and how to adjust pH levels safely.

How Much Baking Soda To Add 

To learn how much baking soda you should add to your pool, you must first test the TA (Total Alkalinity) in your pool to determine the desired PPM increase.

Here’s a table highlighting the amount of baking soda to add to your pool.

Desired TA Increase (ppm)	5,000 Gallons	10,000 Gallons	20,000 Gallons	50,000 Gallons
10 ppm	12 oz	24 oz	48 oz	120 oz
20 ppm	24 oz	48 oz	96 oz	240 oz
30 ppm	36 oz	72 oz	144 oz	360 oz
40 ppm	48 oz	96 oz	192 oz	480 oz
50 ppm	60 oz	120 oz	240 oz	600 oz
60 ppm	72 oz	144 oz	288 oz	720 oz
70 ppm	84 oz	168 oz	336 oz	840 oz
80 ppm	96 oz	192 oz	384 oz	960 oz
90 ppm	108 oz	216 oz	432 oz	1080 oz
100 ppm	120 oz	240 oz	480 oz	1200 oz

Complementary Pool Maintenance Tips

In addition to balancing total alkalinity and pH, proper pool care involves a full-spectrum maintenance routine. Here are three essential pillars:

• Regular Cleaning: Skim the surface daily to remove floating debris, and brush pool walls and floor weekly to prevent algae buildup. For hands-free, thorough cleaning, a robotic pool cleaner like the Dreame Z1 Pro can automate the job while helping maintain stable water chemistry.
• Effective Filtration: Run your pool filter for at least 8–12 hours a day during swimming season to keep water circulating and remove fine particles. Clean or backwash your filter regularly depending on the type—check out our pool filter maintenance guide to learn how.
• Consistent Water Testing: Test your pool water at least twice a week using test strips or a liquid test kit to monitor pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels. 

Conclusion 

Does baking soda raise alkalinity? Yes, baking soda is an effective agent to raise the total alkalinity of the pool with a minor pH increase, which is ideal for specific scenarios. To maintain optimal water quality and comfort, focus on regular pool maintenance and upkeep.

With tools like the Dreame Z1 Pro handling debris removal, you can focus on fine-tuning your pool’s chemistry for a crystal-clear swimming experience.