Can’t decide on which sanitizer to use to clean your pool? You’ll most likely have to choose between two of the most common ones on the market, bromine vs. chlorine. As a pool owner, maintaining clean water is so important. Routine maintenance will ensure that you get to enjoy a relaxing swim throughout the year.
You might think it’s hard selecting the right products to clean your pool, but it’s pretty simple. Before going out to the store, consider these few things such as:
- The temperature of your pool water
- Budget
Choosing the right sanitizer is crucial in keeping your pool water sparkling clean. Sanitizers make it safe for swimmers by killing off bacteria, viruses, and algae. Today there are many different types on the market. But, there is no need to get overwhelmed. In this article, you will learn the difference between the top two sanitizers, bromine vs. chlorine. After reading each’s differences, you’ll feel confident enough to choose the right product for you.
Bromine
Bromine is a natural element found on earth. You can find this element in salty oceans, lakes, wells, and rocks within the earth’s crust. It smells as strong as bleach, and it has a reddish-brown tint to it. Other than its use in pool cleaning, Bromine has many other benefits in areas such as:
- Agriculture
- Insecticide
- Pharmaceutical
Bromine has sanitizing properties and is liquid at room temperature, which helps it to dissolve in water. These properties make it a great pool cleaning solution.
Bromine vs. Chlorine: What Are the benefits?
During the fall and winter months, Florida residents experience a drop in temperature. The colder weather is enough to make any pool owner close down their pool for the season. However, if you have installed a water heater into your pool system, this allows you to swim year-round.
Higher water temperature means you need to use a cleaning agent more suitable for hot water. Not all sanitizers can work in hot water except for bromine. If you do not use a stable sanitizer when cleaning your heated pool, you may not be cleaning it at all.
Another benefit of using bromine vs. chlorine is using less might give you more. Even after the solution has killed off all the harmful bacteria, it will keep working to sanitize your pool, helping you to clean less.
What Are the Drawbacks?
Bromine can be toxic in high concentrated doses. Make sure your pool filtration system is running. If not, it can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Always handle with care to make sure you do not put yourself or others at risk.
When you first buy bromine at the store, it will be less cost-efficient than chlorine. If you do not measure out the solution correctly during your daily cleans, it will cost you more money. Bromine shares many similar properties to chlorine. So, do not use it as an alternative if someone has an allergy to chlorine products.
Chlorine
Chlorine is another type of pool sanitizer used by most, if not all, pool owners. Since it is a naturally abundant element, it is often cheaper. Making it more desirable for people needing to clean on a budget.
Bromine vs. Chlorine: What Are the benefits?
The most significant benefit of using chlorine is the price. Since this element is naturally abundant, it makes it a lot cheaper to buy in the store. You can find it in forms such as:
- Liquid
- Pressed tablets
Chlorine is also great for pools that tend to stay at a colder temperature. If you do not have a water heater, this cleaning agent will be best for you.
What Are the Drawbacks?
When using chlorine, it’s essential to make sure you filter it through your pool system. Improper filtration can leave concentrated amounts of chlorine in your pool. This can cause skin and eye irritation for swimmers.
Even though chlorine may be the most abundant and cheap sanitizer on the market, you may have to use it more often. As chlorine works, it kills off any bacteria or algae. After it does the job, the effects will lessen and not help to sanitize your pool afterward.
Now that you know the benefits and cons of bromine vs. chlorine, it’s time to get cleaning. Always take into consideration the many uses for each sanitizer. Factor in your budget, and consistent temperature your pool water to find the perfect product for you. Cleaning your pool with the wrong sanitizer could put you and other swimmers, at risk. Are you interested in having a custom pool built for your home? Contact us today.