Household bleach vs pool shock: Pool shock is cheaper and more reliable for regular use

Household bleach works in a pinch but only if it’s plain, unscented, and 6% sodium hypochlorite — you’ll need roughly twice as much as pool chlorine (10–12%) for the same effect. Additives like splash-less or scented versions can foam and mess with pool chemistry. For regular use, pool shock is cheaper per unit of chlorine and eliminates dosage guesswork.