5 Things to Know About Using Baking Soda for Pool Alkalinity

Baking soda raises alkalinity without spiking pH Soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises both, but baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) targets alkalinity alone. That is why pool stores sell “alkalinity increaser”—it is just baking soda in a pricier bag.

Use about 1.5 pounds per 10,000 gallons to raise alkalinity by 10 ppm Dissolve it in a bucket of pool water first, then pour it around the deep end while the pump runs. Test after a few hours.

Do not dump it all in one spot Pouring in a single area can temporarily cloud the water. Spread it out for even mixing.

Grocery store baking soda works the same as the pool-store version It costs about a quarter of the price. The box from the kitchen aisle is identical to the fancy bag.

Baking soda is not a pH increaser If you need to raise pH, use soda ash instead. Stick with baking soda when only alkalinity is low.