Chlorine vs. Bromine: Which is the Better Option for Your Swimming Pool?

 In Pool Cleaning

There are many responsibilities when it comes to swimming pool care, one of those being pool sanitation. As a pool owner, keeping up with the cleanliness of your pool is a top priority because who wants to swim in a dirty pool? Better yet, who wants to swim in an unsanitized pool? Chlorine is the most common choice for this solution, but bromine is also an option. The Shoreline team has done the hard work for you and came up with an explanation of your two options of chlorine or bromine

What is Chlorine?

You’ve heard of it before, but what exactly is it doing for your swimming pool? Chlorine is the sanitizing agent that kills bacteria in swimming pools, drinking water, and even paints and textiles. Once chlorine is poured into a pool, a chemical reaction occurs and the solution breaks down to sanitize the pool for a certain amount of time. Pool chlorine comes in different forms like tablets and liquids, but it all does the same job in protecting your water from germs.

chlorine

Unlike bromine, chlorine has a strong scent, but it is the most common cleaning agent because it’s easily accessible and cleans pools in a matter of hours. Although chlorine is a popular choice, bromine is also a great option.

What is Bromine?

Bromine is the number one alternative to chlorine. This chemical is known to be a sanitizer, oxidizer, and algaecide for swimming pools. The reason why spa and hot tub owners prefer bromine over chlorine is that it works better in warmer temperatures. By killing bacteria and contaminants, the chemicals in bromine react in a different way than chlorine and do a more thorough job of cleaning for the hot temperatures. Like chlorine, it comes in many forms like tablets and liquids, but never in its raw state. If it’s in the form of a liquid, it will be diluted with water for safety purposes as it is harmful to the skin and eyes. Bromine and chlorine are very similar in the fact that they both sanitize, but possess differences when it comes to the chemical breakdown.

Chlorine vs. Bromine: Exploring The Pros & Cons

Now comes the time for decision-making. Which one is best for your swimming pool? Chlorine is readily available, very effective, and can be used on indoor and outdoor pools, however, it leaves a strong scent, could cause skin irritation and can wear down or even bleach the vinyl liner. When it comes to bromine, it does not have a strong scent, it’s gentler on the skin, does a great job sanitizing high-temperature pools, and works well with vinyl liners. But this option is more expensive than chlorine, has less oxidation power, and does not work as well in sunlight. There are pros and cons for both chemicals, but it is ultimately up to the pool owner to make the final decision of which option to choose.

Keep Your Pool Happy With The Right Tools

Keep your swimming pool sparkling with the proper chemicals and tools it needs. It is important when deciding whether chlorine or bromine works best for your pool. Based on lifestyle and demographics, one chemical may be more suitable than the other for your situation. If you’re having trouble with deciding, leave it to the professionals at Shoreline Pools to decide if chlorine or bromine better suits your swimming pool needs. Call us at (203) 357-1544 to have a field expert stop by for an analysis today! Keep up to date with the latest pool trends and tips by following us on HOUZZ.

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