Pool Chemistry Tips
How to really keep your pool sparkling clear all year.
Weekly Routine
Your standard, once-a-week regimen — and it takes about 2 minutes.
1. Simple Scoop
Pour the required number of scoops of Simple Scoop straight into your pool. Any spot works, as long as your pump is running or another circulation method is active. No premixing or prep needed. Simple Scoop is the pool chemistry cheat code: it proactively controls algae and stabilizes, oxidizes, clarifies and conditions the water — no extra adjustments.
2. Chlorine (or another sanitizer)
Next, carefully add the right amount of sanitizer. If you use chlorine like most people, tabs are the easiest way to apply it — through a floating chlorine dispenser, your pool’s skimmer, or your chlorinator. Do not drop chlorine tabs directly into the pool. If you use a different sanitizer (bromine, UV, ozone), follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The weekly routine of Simple Scoop + sanitizer keeps your water clean and pristine. The sanitizer kills bacteria while Simple Scoop balances critical levels such as pH and alkalinity and prevents problems like algae before they start.
9 out of 10 customers only need this 2-step, 2-minute weekly routine. Tricky issues caused by irregular weather or other factors can still show up — read on to find out what to do.
We recommend testing your pool water weekly, and more often if something looks or feels off.
Targeted Care
For when something seems off with your pool water.
If your pool’s chemistry seems off, the next step is to test the water — and we recommend testing weekly as a precaution. Follow the instructions on your test strip or kit, then focus on the levels that are outside their ideal range.
Test strips
To use typical 5-in-1 test strips, remove one strip from the packaging and dip it into the pool, moving it slowly back and forth for about 5 seconds. Then compare it against the reference on the package.
Ideal chemical ranges
- pH: 7.2–7.8
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm (aim for 120 ppm; up to 150 ppm is fine)
- Free Chlorine: 1–3 ppm (aim for 3 ppm)
- Total Hardness (Calcium Hardness): 200–400 ppm (aim for 230 ppm)
- Total Chlorine: equivalent to the Free Chlorine level
pH
To increase: if your pH is too low, swimmers may get irritated eyes and itchy skin. Add Pool Day pH Booster.
To decrease: if your pH is too high, use a pH reducer such as muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Total Alkalinity
To increase: low Total Alkalinity (TA) makes your pH drop and swing widely from day to day. Higher TA buffers the pH and keeps it stable — add Pool Day Alkalinity Multiplier.
To decrease: high TA is less common, but if it goes over 150 ppm and starts pushing the pH up, bring it down with a pH reducer.
Chlorine
To increase: a low Free Chlorine level puts swimmers’ health and safety at risk and needs to be addressed immediately — add Pool Day Chlorine Tabs.
To decrease: if chlorine is too high, stop adding sanitizer and let the level come down before swimming.
Opening and Closing Your Pool
What to do at the start and end of your pool season.
Opening and closing your pool for the season can feel daunting. Fortunately, a double dose of Simple Scoop does the job — just add twice as many scoops as you would in your normal weekly routine.
Depending on the shape your pool was closed in the previous season, you may have a bit more work on your hands. If your chemical levels are far off, you will likely need shock to jump-start the season. If your pool is in particularly rough shape, follow the steps in the Targeted Care section above.
If you have any additional questions, check the specific product pages (they have FAQs) or reach out to us by email at contact@pooldaycare.com.
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