4 Things to Know About Using Baking Soda for Pool Alkalinity

Baking soda raises total alkalinity without spiking pH Sodium bicarbonate is the correct choice for increasing alkalinity. It is cheap, safe, and will not send your pH through the roof like soda ash would.

Soda ash is not a substitute Sodium carbonate raises both alkalinity and pH significantly. Use it only if you need both adjustments at once.

Dose carefully to avoid locking pH Add about 1.5 pounds per 10,000 gallons to raise alkalinity by 10 ppm. Add slowly, let it circulate, then retest. Overshooting can make future pH adjustments difficult.

Check the label before buying Grab a box labeled “baking soda,” not “soda ash.” The wrong product will cause problems.