4 Things to Know About Using Baking Soda for Pool Alkalinity

Use baking soda to raise total alkalinity without a big pH jump Baking soda has a pH around 8, so adding it to pool water (typically 7.2–7.6) barely changes pH. Soda ash raises both alkalinity and pH, making baking soda the standard fix.

Add it slowly and test between additions Add about 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons to raise alkalinity by 10 ppm. Wait a few hours before retesting and adding more.

If pH creeps up, use aeration to bring it down Running fountains or returns can lower pH slightly. This is a simple fix if your pH drifts after adding baking soda.

Don’t overdo it — high alkalinity clouds water and locks pH Excess alkalinity makes pH hard to adjust and can turn your pool water cloudy. Stick to recommended amounts.